Former Dons attacker and assistant-manager Duncan Shearer hopes Derek McInnes is brave and lets his attacking players off the leash at Hampden on Saturday.
The Dons are firm underdogs as they try to end the Hoops’ prospects of a domestic treble in manager Brendan Rodgers’ first season at Parkhead.
The Dons have had two unsuccessful attempts at winning the Scottish Cup since last triumphing against Celtic in 1990, with Shearer part of the side defeated 2-1 by Rangers in 1993.
And Shearer, who scored 79 goals in 194 appearances for the Pittodrie club between 1992 and 1997, believes manager McInnes’ attacking players hold the key to ending that wait.
Shearer, who is now under-20s coach at Caley Thistle, said: “Aberdeen have got good quality in their squad and they’ve got a good attacking team. I’m just hoping Derek will let them off the shackles a little bit and let them have a go from the start.
“It’s fine to have the attitude of not conceding an early goal, but you just can’t predict when goals are going to come against Celtic.
“They could come at the start, they could take a while or they might not come at all.
“Aberdeen’s way, for me, should be to just be honest and play their game.
“Hopefully they can let players such as Niall McGinn and Jonny Hayes have a go at Celtic, put them on the back foot and see what happens.
“I’m presuming it will be Adam Rooney that starts, and if I’m putting myself in his position that’s what I’d want to see.
“The other side of the coin is that if they do that and Celtic score an early goal, they’re chasing the game, so I can understand the dilemma Derek has.
“I just hope they have no fear at all and really believe they can take them on.”
Aberdeen have defeated Stranraer, Ross County, Partick Thistle and Hibernian to get to the final, however Shearer feels defeating one of the Old Firm is an obstacle must sides must overcome on the path to silverware.
Shearer, who helped the Dons lift the League Cup in 1995 by scoring in the 2-0 win against Dundee, added: “It was a good result for Aberdeen against Rangers in Glasgow last week – it doesn’t matter what level Rangers are at. When we won the League Cup in 1995 we beat Rangers at Hampden – you have to tackle them at some point.
“It’s very rare to get to the last four or even the final of a cup competition and neither Celtic or Rangers are there, so they have to be beaten.
“In their recent game at Pittodrie, Aberdeen matched if not bettered them in many departments for 80 minutes, although it’s right andunderstandable that if a team is 3-0 up after 10 minutes, it’s a natural thing to take the foot off the pedal a little bit.
“When it comes to that one-off game though, they’re more than capable of it. Aberdeen will have a big support down there, and it’s about who does it on the day.
“If Aberdeen beat them I wouldn’t say it was a major shock. The two best teams in the league are contesting the cup final.
“It’s a great occasion and Aberdeen are well equipped to give Celtic a real test.”