Derek McInnes was at Hampden today along with Celtic Manager Ronny Deila, Rangers Caretaker Manager Kenny McDowall and Dundee United Manager Jackie McNamara as all four previewed this weekend’s League Cup Semi Final games.

As well as the photocall, the Aberdeen manager spoke to the national media.

RedTV | To listen to what he had to say please click here.

“I would not say we are favourites.

“Both teams are eagerly matched. The league table would suggest that. Although we have slightly had the upper hand in head to head meetings in recent years there has been an improvement in Dundee United this season. There is also an improvement in my team.

“There is a healthy respect from both sets of players and managers about the opposition.

“United have players who if you give them time and space to operate they can punish you like we have as well. Both teams are capable of causing each other problems. Any time we have beaten United it has needed a big performance. We aim to try and bring that on Saturday.

“The team have demonstrated even since we won the League Cup last season how motivated and how focused they are. A lot of teams can win a cup and then don’t do anything after. This is our third semi-final in a row. Also we have demonstrated with our league form this season and last that there is a lot to like about us. We can build on winning a trophy. We want to win it again and be successful again. I think my team has a maturity about them. They are a year on and have experienced what it takes to win. It pleases me no end that regardless of what game it is the motivation is always there.

“Everyone at the club is working hard to be successful again.

“The support expect us to do well so we have to meet the challenge head on. That is not something we should be scared of. We have a good team, I have got a good squad and with the level of support we have behind us and with the quality of the staff helping the players we can be successful again.

“However just because you have got good players does not guarantee you are going to win a game of football. Saturday will need a strong performance from us as a team. We need strong individual performances. That will determine who wins the game.

“We had both scenarios last season in the semi-finals, won one and lost the other. We can learn from both experiences.

“Donervorn Daniels gives us options.

“With Russell and Ashton both out we felt we had to act quickly and Donervorn is a player we have been aware of for a while. He is a player we have a high regard for, as do West Brom. We are very grateful for the opportunity to work with him. He is excited to be here and he wants to play his part. He has been in Aberdeen since Sunday and has mixed well with the boys.”

RedTV | please note there will be an exclusive interview with Derek McInnes in a RedInsider Cup Semi-Final special on redtv this evening.

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