THERE was a strangely valedictory feel to proceedings as Derek McInnes addressed the media on the eve of Aberdeen’s first Scottish Cup final since the turn of the millennium.
Pedro Caixinha had said earlier this month that the Dons were approaching the end of a cycle and in personnel terms at least, the Portuguese might just be right. Ryan Jack, who lost the captaincy this week to Graeme Shinnie, will leave this summer under freedom of contract, as will Niall McGinn. Kenny McLean and Jonny Hayes are two more men attracting transfer interest this summer. And for all that he insisted yesterday that he hadn’t reached his “natural end point” at Pittdorie, so too is the manager himself, with Sunderland thought to be interested.
It remains to be seen how many of the above report for the club’s opening Europa League tie in mid-July, but as they walk off towards the sunset, McInnes is determined that those who are leaving should do so in a blaze of glory.
“It’s been a huge effort for everybody and we want the players, the ones that are leaving, to go out in a blaze of glory,” he said. “Give it everything they’ve got. Even though we are huge underdogs and nobody really gives us a chance, it’s a game we feel we can win.
“It is important how you leave a club, the perception you leave behind,” he added. “If we can get a win tomorrow for the players who are leaving it would be a brilliant and fitting ending for what they have given me over the last few years.
“I’d love to put that medal in their hands but they have to go out there and earn it and it would be the perfect ending to a brilliant season and also the perfect ending for a lot of those players’ careers at Aberdeen.”
As unprecedented an achievement as an unbeaten treble would be for Brendan Rodgers’ side, McInnes is adamant that – given their financial dominance in the last five years – Celtic should have done the treble before now. He feels they will also win the league again next season.
“We’ve got to recognise the efforts of Celtic this season, they’ve had loads of plaudits and rightly so,” said McInnes. “But I’m surprised a Celtic team hasn’t won more trebles over the last few years and I think with the vast difference in resource then I don’t think it’s too surprising for them to pick up a treble, to be honest.”
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