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Gothenburg Great Neale Cooper urges Aberdeen to take the game to Celtic at Pittodrie on Sunday

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Neale Cooper insists attack is the best form of defence as Aberdeen try to end their poor run against Celtic this weekend.

The Dons host the Hoops at Pittodrie on Sunday and Gothenburg Great Cooper believes his old club’s best hopes of ending Celtic’s run of nine straight wins against them hinges on being bold.

He said: “When Aberdeen have a go against teams they are a formidable outfit and I think that’s the key to Sunday’s game.

“Celtic are not as strong at the back as they were a year ago and they can be pushed back and put under pressure. Hearts did it brilliantly at Tynecastle and Kilmarnock also caused them so many problems when they beat them at Rugby Park.

“There are weaknesses which can be exploited but the Dons must be brave. Celtic will be feeling the effects of a long trip to Russia and this is the best time Aberdeen could hope to face them.

“Aberdeen in full flow are hard to keep out. This is a chance for Derek Mc-Innes and his players to be positive.”

Cooper followed Aberdeen to Edinburgh at the weekend to watch them lose 2-0 to Hibernian and the former Ross County, Hartlepool United and Peterhead manager knows there has to be a big improvement on the display against the Hibees.

He said: “To keep the pressure on Celtic, Aberdeen have to win but it will be very difficult as Celtic are the best team in the country.

“The Dons have lost nine to Celtic on the bounce and they will be desperate to stop that run. They will also want to bounce back from the defeat at Hibs on Saturday.

“I was at Easter Road and Aberdeen started well enough but fell out of the game. It was
disappointing so they’ll want to make amends.”

Cooper wants to see an attacking display but he knows Aberdeen’s own defensive frailties have to be overcome if they are get a positive result.

He said: “Aberdeen have to defend well, too. They beat Dundee United comfortably in the Scottish Cup but they gave away two cheap goals.

“If they are as casual against Celtic as they have been in the games against United and Ross County recently they will be punished for it.”

Meanwhile, former Celtic striker Tony Watt is training with the Dons.

The 24-year-old forward is a free agent after his release by Belgian club Oud-Heverlee Leuven but as he left the First Division club after the transfer window closed he is unable to play for another club until the summer.

Watt was a target of Dons boss McInnes in 2014 but opted to join Belgian club Lierse.