Quotes from the Managers Pre Match media conference which took place on Wednesday.

“There’s been a lot commented on it and from the football point of view we didn’t really care where the game was. We got told where to play, got told when to play and it was just all about trying to make the most of the opportunity and that’s where we are. We just want to be part of a fantastic Sunday with two very good Semi-Finals and normally to get to a cup final you need to beat good teams and we’re going to have to try and beat a very strong Rangers team this year.

“We managed to get through against a strong Hibs team at Easter Road last time out and that sets us up for this game. Semi-Finals, having been involved in enough of them as a player and a manager, they are normally big occasions with a lot expected of you. It’s not always the best team that gets through sometimes it’s just about having that sheer will and determination to get the job done.

“It’s now my seventh Semi-Final here at Aberdeen and I’ve lost three and won three, so I know exactly how both make you feel. We’re doing all we can to get the club into another final and we’re just looking forward to it. Hopefully we can go there and be good enough on the day to beat a good Rangers team.”

The Opposition

“What needs to be said is Steven’s done a great job there and really imposed himself on the club. Rangers have always had big squads in the last few seasons and I think they’ve got a better squad now.

“We feel there’s big performances in us and we feel we can beat anybody on our day. We feel for us to deliver another cup final appearance and give ourselves a chance of silverware we’re going to have to be very strong. Not just in possession and out of possession, but also that strong mentality to go and get the job done. We’re well past the stage to just be pleased to turn up in these types of games. We’ve been there often enough, and I know my players and I know how determined they are to get the job done. Each season’s different, each game’s different and we’ve had to beat some very good teams along the way in my time here and we’re going to have to do it again to get to another final.

“The early signs show huge improvement (at Rangers). The strength of the squad is far better than it’s been, and the level of player certainly hasn’t been the level it is now. They’ve got good options but we’re going to have to concentrate on ourselves and they can only play eleven like us. Hopefully my eleven and players from the bench deliver a strong performance. I can understand Rangers being the favourites, I can understand there’s a lot expected of the Rangers team and although it’s still early on, anybody in football can see the level of improvement in the Rangers side.

“For me Rangers go back to the depth of the squad and they’ve all been well suited and showed they can cope with the European run the majority of the time. Whether it’s an advantage (Rangers playing in Europe) I don’t know. Physically I think we can maybe have an advantage in terms of our preparation for the game for the week, while they are focussing on that game.

“When it comes down to it at half past four it’s two teams going toe to toe trying to get the job done.

“You play against teams that are missing key players and there’s no doubting Morelos has been fantastic for Rangers. The stats tell you how pivotal he is. Rangers have got the players who can deal with these types of things and the squad to cope, but with Morelos in the team Rangers have been very good this season, but I’m sure they’ve still got potential to be very good without him.

“You can try and second guess any team you’re going to play against and how they are going to line up, but it’s important that while that’s part of it you need to try and focus and concentrate on your own side.”

 

 

Performances From Big Players

“Most teams need their big players to be there and Scott McKenna is a big player for us.

“We’ve had to be without him for a long time this season with injury and the surprise suspension which has not been welcomed at all. We now have him free from suspension and thankfully he got some minutes with Scotland and kept his eye in and he’ll be back for us on Sunday ready to play.

“We need big performances from all our players and we’re hoping we can get that. You need a lot of things to go your way, but you certainly need moments of quality and James can certainly provide that for us. It’s great that he’s now had some proper training sessions behind him and hopefully he has a good strong week going into this one as well.

“Sometimes it’s the bigger the game the bigger the performance and that’s what I’m hoping from my players and certainly James is one we feel can help make the difference in any game, never mind this game.”

Importance Of The Cup

“I think it would be great just to get the smiles on the supporters faces and to have a cup final to look forward to.

“We put ourselves in this position, we’re in a Semi-Final now and hopefully we can go the full way. We said from the outset we’re one of a few teams who believe we could win the cup. A lot of teams go into the cup hoping to win it, but we actually go into it expecting to get to the final and expecting to win it.

“We’re still there and a cup final can bring so much positivity and bounce to a club with the financial benefits with it, but it’s way more than that and we’ve had the benefit of that three times now, getting to cup finals. Hopefully we can go onto that next step and get to a cup final, which can help us going into our league campaign as well.”

Ticket Allocation

“Speaking to people at the club who deal with the ticket side of it, I think a lot of it has to do with the Aberdeen holiday. It’s quite a wealthy city Aberdeen, and a lot of people go on two-week holidays at this time of year and a lot of our supporters are away.

“I think traditionally we normally take what we’re going to end up taking for Semi-Finals and that’s been the norm any time we’ve been there bar one game against Dundee Utd when it was a Saturday at 3.00pm.

“The club made a stance to try and get as many and the demand wasn’t quite there, but there’s no real harm done for me. The Rangers fans can still get those extra tickets that we haven’t been able to sell, but what will be clear is it will be a fantastic atmosphere and I’m more focussed on the fans that have bought tickets.

“We’ve got a fantastically and fiercely loyal support who will go there full of expectation and hope that we can get their team into another final. They’ve got a part to play and we’re delighted and grateful for their commitment. For those supporters who have bought their ticket we’re hoping we can get them another ticket for another cup final and hopefully that’s the way it plays out.

“We’re doing all we can and we can’t guarantee that as footballers, but we’ll certainly give ourselves a chance and hopefully we’ll set up right in a fully committed performance that can give us that opportunity. We know there’s going to be spells in the game that we’re not going to get it all our own way and we’re up against a good side. We’re hopefully together as supporters and players we can get the job done.”

Team News

“I think Burnley away was the only time, bar Mark Reynolds who was injured in pre-season, it’s the only time I’ve almost had a full squad to choose from. It was a strong eleven and strong bench.

“James Wilson is now getting more training, Niall only trained last Thursday so he was never starting at Hearts and has had another full week. Scott Wright came back from an injury so it’s great to have those forward options to maybe make the difference. The squad other than young Frank Ross, Mark Reynolds and Greg Tansey everybody else is good to go.

“You’re learning about your players all the time and you gain experience as you go through the season whether it’s a positive result with winning on penalties or seeing a good reaction from your team in the second half (on Saturday).

“It’s important the team do everything to deliver that 90 minute or extra time performance and find that consistency in their own game through that period of the game. I think we now have more options, which is always pleasing for me as we’ve not had many options at different periods of the season already. It’s clear we’re going to have to have a bigger performance to beat this Rangers team, but I believe there’s a performance in us and I think we will get better as the season goes on.”

Integration of Youngsters

“One of the real positives this season has been the fact we’ve had to integrate more youngsters and they’ve stepped up more often than not. You expect you’ll get those inconsistencies from the younger ones as well as they don’t have the real big game experience as others, but there’s still that freshness to them and sometimes that unpredictability can be a real positive. We’ve been pleased with a number of the lads that have contributed this season.”