Former Aberdeen supervisor Barry Robson, who additionally performed for Celtic, believes the Dons have to observe the instance of bravery and aggression proven on Sunday by Arne Slot’s Liverpool if they’re to win on Wednesday.
“You may’t simply go and open up and have a go in opposition to Celtic due to the standard they have,” Robson instructed BBC Scotland. “It is about getting the stability proper: when to play, when to press, when to return off the sport.
“Take the Liverpool sport in opposition to Man Metropolis on the weekend there. It was the traditional method of doing issues.
“Liverpool pressed rather well at instances, they had been so aggressive. At instances they got here off the sport and, at instances, they performed. That is what you should get proper – you should get the stability of the entire thing proper.”
Robson is aware of that’s simpler mentioned that carried out, exemplified by Celtic’s 6-0 thrashing of Aberdeen within the League Cup semi-final at Hampden.
“It is totally different to the 2 earlier video games,” he suggests. “Up at Pittodrie, it is much more enclosed, you may get a bit nearer to them and disrupt the sport a bit extra. It is bought a unique really feel to it, with the followers behind you on your private home floor.”
Stopping midfield duo Callum McGregor and Reo Hatate is essential to containing Celtic as a complete, suggests Robson.
“You have to attempt to flood the center of the pitch,” he mentioned. “They’re so inventive in there. You have to counter-press nicely – any time you give the ball away, you have to react rapidly. You have to get it again.
“You may’t let McGregor and Hatate benefit from the sport. You’ve bought to ensure you snap them out of their rhythm. And ensure you go the ball ahead rapidly.
“Meaning punching balls into strikers and huge gamers and letting them go to attempt to hit Celtic. It is nearly being courageous when you’ll be able to.”