Aberdeen assistant Tony Docherty says players have been practising penalties before Motherwell cup clash

TONY DOCHERTY has revealed Aberdeen have been practising penalties as they plan to leave nothing to chance when they take on Motherwell at Hampden.

The Dons required spot-kicks to see off Kilmarnock and book their William Hill Scottish Cup semi-final showdown with Well.

But Reds assistant boss Docherty insists there was nothing lucky about that Rugby Park replay triumph after he and manager Derek McInnes put their team through extra target practice in the build-up.

Now, as they prepare themselves for their fifth trip to the national stadium in the past two years, Docherty confirmed he has again conducted those 12-yard shooting drills to ensure Aberdeen have all bases covered.

He said: “We know from experience from winning the League Cup in 2014 against Inverness on penalties how important it is, so we put a lot of work into that.

“I think penalties are one of those things as a footballer you can practice.

“I know people say you can’t replicate the atmosphere and of course you can’t.

“But what you can do as a player is close yourself off and perfect your technique of striking the ball.

“Against Kilmarnock, once the game went to extra-time I think we showed a real desire to do what was necessary to get to the next round.

“At that stage, I thought there was only going to be one team winning it and even when it came to penalty kicks we just gave the players confidence by saying, ‘You know this, you’ve practised it – go and show it’.

“And we’ll be confident if it goes to that stage again.”

It is honours even this season between the sides, with the Dons’ Fir Park win earlier this month making it two wins apiece.

But Docherty has challenged his side to prove they want to clinch a place in May’s showpiece final more than Stephen Robinson’s men do.

“Motherwell are the type of team who really test you,” said McInnes’ right-hand man.

“You see that with the way they play. They are a very direct team – but they are hard to stop.

“Every player in their team knows their role and we will need to be at out best to cope with that.

“But you know what? We had to really be at our best to beat Kilmarnock in the last round with them being the form team in the league.

“We managed to do that, even though it took two games and penalty kicks. But I thought our attitude and endeavour towards that got us over the line.

“Now we need to show the same kind of attitude and desire to get to the final.

“Yes it’s Motherwell who are standing in our way but it’s up to us how much we want it.”