Dons boss Derek McInnes insists rivals Celtic aren't "invincible"
The Dons welcome the Ladbrokes Premiership leaders to Pittodrie on Wednesday night for a top of the table clash.
Derek McInnes admits Aberdeen have struggled to lay a glove on Brendan Rodgers' Celtic - but he does not believe the rampant Parkhead outfit are unbeatable.
The Dons welcome the Ladbrokes Premiership leaders to Pittodrie on Wednesday night for a top of the table clash.
While McInnes' men were able to topple the Hoops on occasion during former boss Ronny Deila's reign, they have found that an altogether harder task since Rodgers took over.
The teams faced off six times last term - including both domestic cup finals - but Aberdeen finished second best each and every time.
This time, though, the Reds boss hopes to make the breakthrough.
McInnes told RedTV: “We have managed to beat Celtic teams during my team here but we have always had to play really well.
“We had six occasions against this current Celtic team last year and I thought we were competitive enough in a lot of them.
“However, we didn't do enough over a 90-minute period with and without the ball to actually win a game.
“I did think in the last couple of games we got a bit closer to them and at least threatened to give ourselves the chance to win it.
“But I don't see them as invincible. They do, though, have the squad to cope with injuries, the squad to cope with the schedule and the squad with the most goals in them.
“They have got the answers most of the time.
“What we have to do is find a way to nullify their threats and be confident enough to play our game.”
The Hoops' hectic schedule has seen them rack up 21 games already this term as they compete on all fronts.
Saturday's League Cup semi-final win over Hibernian was their 60th domestic clash without defeat but McInnes dismissed suggestions fatigue could help them to become the first Scottish side since May last year to halt Celtic.
He said: “If we win it's not because of a tired Celtic team. It's because we've done a lot of things right.
“We fully expect a competitive game. They don't rest players against us. They are always at full strength and we're going to have to play exceptionally well to get any kind of result."