Derek McInnes keen to reward hardy Aberdeen fans with trip to Hampden

DEREK MCINNES hopes to reward loyal Aberdeen fans for braving the weather by booking a place in the last four of the William Hill Scottish Cup.

Aberdeen face Kilmarnock in the quarter-finals of the cup at Pittodrie on Saturday after the game was given the go-ahead to take place despite the heavy snow affecting the country.

Fans will face tricky conditions to get to the ground after the road and rail networks were hit, and McInnes hopes to reward fans with a trip to Hampden.

“I understand those who don’t come, but for those who do come it’s important that hopefully we can get a winning performance for them and all look forward to a semi-final together,” he told RedTV.

“I’m sure there will be enough here and a big strong support from Kilmarnock travelling up that will add to the atmosphere.

“From our point of view, we can send supporters home happy as a reward for turning out in such difficult elements.”

The Dons have targeted the cup as their best realistic chance of silverware this season, with Celtic once again dominating the Premiership, and they are favourites to come out on top against Steve Clarke’s Kilmarnock.

The two sides have faced each other three times already this term, with Aberdeen winning the last two 3-1, but Killie’s impressive run under Clarke leaves McInnes under no illusions that they face a tough challenge if they are to progress.

He said: “Kilmarnock if I’m right have only been beaten twice in their past 17 games and that’s by ourselves.

“They have played a lot of good teams among that and deserve credit for that, it suggests just how hard a task it is for us.

“At the same time, it’s a quarter-final and an opportunity for us, especially being at home to try and get ourselves and the club into the semi-final.

“We look forward to it, its a fantastic opportunity for us. It’s a tough game but you should expect that at the quarter-final stage but it’s one we’re looking forward to.”