Aberdeen hold no fears for St Johnstone, says defender Brian Easton

St Johnstone defender Brian Easton is taking confidence from their recent record against Aberdeen as they bid to reach another semi-final.

The Perth side can claim their fourth semi-final appearance in four seasons by extending their impressive run of form against Aberdeen in the Betfred Cup last eight.

The rivals drew 0-0 at Perth on day one of the campaign, but last term Saints claimed a 5-1 win at Pittodrie, where they travel on Thursday night.

Both teams faced each other in two semi-finals in the 2013-14 campaign with Aberdeen going on to lift the League Cup and Saints claiming Scottish Cup glory.

Easton said: “I wasn’t too surprised when the draw was made and we were playing Aberdeen again. We’ve had a few cup ties with them in recent years.

“This is a big game in a big month for us. But we know it won’t be easy up at Pittodrie. I watched Aberdeen against Dundee and they were impressive. They can be clinical if you give them chances.

“But we have no fears going to Aberdeen. It’s a one-off game and we are going up there looking to win.”

Saints are coming off a 1-0 weekend win over Hearts, whom they knocked out in the second round, and are sitting joint second in the Premiership table.

And they have won five and lost only two of their last 11 meetings with the Dons.

Easton said: “Hearts maybe don’t like playing us, maybe they think we are a bit of a bogey team. Aberdeen are similar. We seem to do really well against them. I don’t know if it is the way we play and they find us hard to break down.

“It’s too early to be thinking of a final. Our focus is on this one. There will be good teams in that semi-final pot if we make it.

“But we have made it to three semi finals in four years and we are looking to have more success. We know how to do it. But we have to get it done against Aberdeen.

“We were lot more like ourselves against Partick Thistle after disappointing results against Celtic and Inverness going into the international break.

“After the win over Hearts that gaffer said was sometimes the St Johnstone way, digging in and knowing how not to get beaten. We have to take that into the Aberdeen game.”

Meanwhile, Steven Anderson has been confirmed as St Johnstone club captain.

The 30-year-old defender, who joined Saints in 2004, takes over from Dave MacKay, who retired last week after failing to shake off a long-standing hip injury.

Boss Tommy Wright told the club’s official website: “It was an easy decision for me. Steven is the longest-serving player at the club, a leader on the pitch and is perfect to follow in Dave’s footsteps.”