Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes admits win over Celtic will be vital
Wednesday 9 September 2015 14:49, UK
Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes admits a positive result against Celtic in the Sky Live match this weekend is essential if his side are to mount a serious title challenge.
The Dons lost all four league games against the reigning champions last season as the flickering Christmas-time hope of a first title in 30 years faded in the spring. They were eventually to finish as runners-up, 17 points adrift.
They have won all five of their league matches this season, an opening sequence that matches the record of the 1984-85 title-winning squad, but McInnes says beating Ronny Deila's side on Saturday to put them top is all that matters.
He told Sky Sports News HQ: "Nobody will really remember the records with this team, we want the team to be remembered for winning trophies, that's your best gauge of success. It's been a good start but we feel there is more to come.
"We managed to beat Celtic a couple of times the season before last but last season we didn't and that doesn't sit well with us. We have decent records against every other team in the league but Celtic were the one team we had problems getting results against.
"The performances against them were by and large not too bad but we haven't managed to get winning performances against then. For me Saturday is all about the result more than the performance. We are looking for improvement."
Scotland and Stoke City midfielder Charlie Adam is predicting an exciting battle in the lunchtime kick-off at a sold-out Pittodrie - and believes home advantage could be a key factor.
Speaking on Sky Sports News HQ, Adams, who spent six seasons with Rangers, said: "Celtic might have a hangover from their Champions League exit and that could help Aberdeen this weekend.
"Aberdeen lost all four games against them last season but it's a different season and there are new players in both sides, so it's going to a tough one.
"At the moment Celtic have got the best players in Scotland so it will a challenge for the Aberdeen players, but with home advantage and Celtic not playing as well as they can do, Aberdeen will be confident of getting a result."
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