Former Aberdeen manager Barry Robson, who also played for Celtic, believes the Dons must follow the example of bravery and aggression shown by Arne Slot’s Liverpool on Sunday if they are to win on Wednesday.
“You can’t just open up and take on Celtic because of the quality they have,” Robson told BBC Scotland. “It’s about getting the balance right: when to play, when to press, when to get out of the game.
“Take the Liverpool game against Manchester City at the weekend. It was the classic way of doing things.
“Liverpool pressed very well at times, they were very aggressive. At times they came out of the game and at times they played. That’s what you have to do well: you have to get the right balance of everything.”
Robson knows that this is easier said than done, as exemplified by Celtic’s 6-0 thrashing of Aberdeen in the League Cup semi-final at Hampden.
“It’s different from the two previous games,” he suggests. “At Pittodrie, it’s a lot closer, you can get a little bit closer to them and disrupt the game a little bit more. It has a different feel, with the fans behind you on your own ground.”
Stopping midfield duo Callum McGregor and Reo Hatate is key to containing Celtic as a whole, Robson suggests.
“We have to try to flood the center of the field,” he said. “They are very creative. You have to counter-press well; every time you give the ball, you have to react quickly. You have to win it back.”
“You can’t let McGregor and Hatate enjoy the game. You have to make sure you get them out of their rhythm. And make sure you pass the ball forward quickly.
“That means hitting balls to forwards and open players and letting them go to try and hit Celtic. It’s just about being brave when you can.”
