Silverware tops plaudits every time for Aberdeen boss Derek McInnes

HIS team have sustained themselves as Scotland’s second force for four years. But Aberdeen boss Derek McInnes insists he would trade it all for another trophy.

The Dons have been a formidable outfit throughout McInnes’ time at Pittodrie.

On his watch, they have racked up four second -placed Premiership finishes, won the League Cup, reached two more cup finals and crashed out of another three competitions at the semi-final stage.

Today they have yet another chance to set up a shot at glory. And asked whether he would swap his side’s runners-up finishes in the Premiership for another trophy, McInnes said: “Aye, absolutely. Of course.

“If we could guarantee silverware, we would take that over a league position all day long.”

He explained: “In terms of unfinished business for me, it’s trophies. I have never shied away from that.

“Outwith Celtic in recent seasons, no other team has played as many semi-finals and finals as us.

“We have been there and at least given ourselves a chance. But we have only won one and we would love to try to make that more, of course.

“That gives you real reward, real satisfaction, when there is something tangible there if you can manage to win it.

“We know the benefits of a strong cup run, and how it can make the whole club come alive, bring the city really alive, and generate enthusiasm among the supporters.

“We are well aware how important a strong cup run can be for your club’s finances.

“Hopefully we can deliver a performance on Sunday that gets us to another cup final.”

Hope is fine, but McInnes knows it needs to be nurtured. And ultimately, he is aware the buck for the hopes of Aberdeen fans everywhere stops with him.

“I feel my responsibility,” said McInnes.

“Nobody here knows better than me how important it is to win games.

“But I would much rather be in a position where we are trying, and we are close to it, than not even talking about it.

“Sometimes you put yourselves forward to get these disappointments. Sometimes it is not always the best team that gets through semi-finals or the team that produces the best performance.

“Sometimes it is about finding a way to get through it. Hopefully the sum of everything goes our way on Sunday.”

The weight of such responsibility is tough to bear.

But McInnes is made of the kind of stuff that ensures plans are made well in advance.

His team was all but decided by Wednesday.

All that remains now is to let them loose.