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Saturday 20th April 2024:  kick-off 12.30pm

Scottish Cup Semi-Final - Aberdeen v Celtic

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EE: Jimmy eyes five in a row for Dons


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http://www.eveningexpress.co.uk/Article.aspx/1006823?UserKey=

 

ABERDEEN aim to start the new year with a bang by matching a 14-year record at Hamilton tomorrow.

 

Victory over the Accies at New Douglas Park would see the Dons rack up a fifth straight win.

 

That’s something they haven’t managed since 1995, but boss Jimmy Calderwood is confident his in-form side can deliver and maintain their fight to qualify for Europe next season.

 

“We are bang in form so should be capable of doing that,†said Calderwood.

 

“It’s great that we have won the last four and all credit to the lads for the way they have turned things around in comparison to the first part of the season.

 

“The most encouraging thing about the last win against Hearts was the way we won every individual battle in the 90 minutes.

 

“There have been times in the past when we’ve been turned over, particularly away from home.

 

“But there was none of that last weekend.

 

“Every player showed determination and grit and if they keep that going tomorrow Hamilton are going to have to come up with an outstanding performance to stop us claiming all three points.â€

 

With Aberdeen’s Euro rivals both facing tough fixtures tomorrow – Hearts entertain Hibs while Dundee United travel to Celtic – Calderwood knows their chances of claiming the SPL’s third place could be greatly enhanced by tea-time.

 

“We will be kicking ourselves if we don’t win and United and Hearts slip up,†he said.

 

“But if the results go our way we could be clear in third place by the time we next play at Pittodrie.

 

“That would be a marvellous position from which to start our big push to finish third and guarantee a European place.â€

 

The Dons have been boosted by the feel-good factor sweeping through the North-east because they remained unbeaten throughout December.

 

That resulted in a crowd of more than 18,000 – Pittodrie’s biggest of the season – turning out to see them beat Hearts 1-0.

 

Calderwood said: “It’s the first time I’ve seen Pittodrie like that for what I would term a normal game.

 

“It was the sort of atmosphere we got for the European games and clashes with the Old Firm, the fans were marvellous.

 

“It lifted the players and the intense atmosphere does make it harder for referees to give anything against the home team, as Aberdeen have discovered in the past on trips to Glasgow and Tynecastle.

 

“We will have another big band of fans with us tomorrow and it’s great to know they have also sold out all the tickets for next week’s cup match at Alloa.

 

“Our job now is to keep the fans on side in the hope that all of our future home matches attract big crowds.

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