Aberdeen’s last encounter against one half of the Old Firm was a day to forget but manager Derek McInnes is confident his side will give a much better account of themselves tomorrow.
An injury-depleted Dons were beaten 5-0 by Rangers at Ibrox last month but head into tomorrow’s visit of Celtic to Pittodrie with optimism following a swashbuckling display against Motherwell.
Goals from Sam Cosgrove, Niall McGinn and Zak Vyner earned the Dons a much-needed victory at Fir Park in the team’s most complete performance so far this term.
But McInnes knows a win against the Hoops tomorrow would top that achievement and help right some of the wrongs from their trip to Ibrox.
The Aberdeen manager said: “Since the Rangers game, we played Hibs and came back when down to 10 men to get a point we deserved.
“The fans clapped the team off after recognising the passion and physicality of the team, which was important because that was lacking at Ibrox.
“We have followed that up with a very good win at Motherwell. Celtic have to feel us on Sunday, we can’t be passive, unsure or anxious. If you stand off them the likelihood is they’ll win the game anyway.
“Even if they go on to win anyway, we have to make sure we show the right approach. The intention is to try to win the game, as soon as the ball rolls I want them to feel us and feel our belief.
“You have to get the right balance between attacking and defending because against Rangers we didn’t give ourselves a chance.
“I know that when we show our energy and aggression we can land a few blows on the better teams in this league.
“What happened at Ibrox isn’t lingering, you have to take what comes on the back of that result. Then you have to strike back and I think we have done that in the last two games.”
The match with Celtic is the start of a huge week for the Dons, who travel to Hamilton Accies on Wednesday before the club’s greatest manager Sir Alex Ferguson officially opens the club’s new training complex Cormack Park the following day.
McInnes said: “Sir Alex Ferguson opens the training ground on Thursday then we will do a dummy run with the young players during the international break.
“So once the first-team players come back we will be moving in there. It’s an exciting time, all the staff have been up but we haven’t taken the players yet because I want them to get the full experience when we do go there.
“There is still a bit of work being done but the facility is top class, the club have done a great job getting it done.
“It has run over and has cost more than we expected but it’s a game-changer for Aberdeen Football Club for decades to come. This should have been here decades ago.
“It will give everyone a boost, the first-team players and staff as well as the youth coaches and that side of it. We have been doing what we have for the last six years despite what our competitors have.
“We are still travelling to training on minibuses, which isn’t ideal, but thankfully that will be a thing of the past in a few weeks’ time. We are elite and professional in everything we do and this facility will enhance that massively.
“I am not saying we will take our performance up a few levels straight away once we move into it, but the positive impact will be felt right through the club.”