Celtic v Aberdeen

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CELTIC v ABERDEEN / WILLIAM HILL SCOTTISH CUP SEMI-FINAL the absence of fans,” said McGregor. “Being a cup semi-final, everyone knows the stakes are high and that helps sharpen your focus a little bit. “The Scotland game against Israel was a semifinal as well so the situation is fresh in a lot of the boys’ minds and there will be a sense of familiarity to the situation. Even without the crowd, the fact that it’s a semi-final heightens your awareness and focus. “Ultimately, we have this cup run to defend and when a cup game comes around you’re reminded of the fact you’ve been so good in cup competitions. All the boys will want to defend that. If we win the game, it puts us in another final. You just have to keep that mind set that, even though the fans aren’t in the stadium, everyone is watching from home and you have to give a performance suitable as if they were there in the stadium with us.” McGregor has been a key figure in Celtic’s trophy haul over the last few seasons and has scored five goals in the Scottish Cup throughout his career so far. He scored in both the 2016-17 and 2017-18 semi-final wins against Rangers and bagged the opener in the 2-0 win over Motherwell in the 2018 final. The Celtic midfielder says his efforts to help the team have underpinned the contributions he has made in the hoops in the Scottish Cup. 18 HAMPDEN PARK / SUNDAY, 1 NOVEMBER 2020
CELTIC v ABERDEEN / WILLIAM HILL SCOTTISH CUP SEMI-FINAL “When you score goals and help the team get into finals and win competitions, it’s obviously a good feeling,” he said. “To help the team is the best feeling and you try to channel that positive energy and positive mind set into the game. “These are the games that we all try to make our mark in, whether it be with a good performance or nicking a goal or assist. These are the fixtures you want to be influencing. The record for us is there to defend and I’m sure when the game comes around everyone will be fully focused and prepared to do that.” Celtic have been familiar tormentors for Aberdeen in recent years. Derek McInnes’ side have lost all four of their Hampden meetings against Celtic in domestic cup competition in recent years, the most recent of which was a 3-0 loss at this stage in the competition during the 2018-19 season. Aberdeen’s most recent meeting with Celtic will give them confidence that they can prevent history from repeating itself. The Dons twice led Celtic at Pittodrie last weekend but were forced to settle for a 3-3 draw. McGregor is well aware how determined Aberdeen will be to finally get the better of Celtic at Hampden, but insisted the champions’ winning desire would not be surpassed. “We’ve had quite a few semi-finals and finals against them over the years,” he said. “In every one of the games that we’ve come up against them they’ve been even more desperate to win, so we have a feel for the fixture and the players know what it takes to win these type of games. “They’ll be highly motivated and we have to look at it and be equally as motivated to try and put ourselves in another final. “Aberdeen have recruited well again and they’ll be difficult to beat. The game at the weekend was the first time we played them this season and it gave us an idea of their strengths and weaknesses and how they might want to play in the semi-final.” HAMPDEN PARK / SUNDAY, 1 NOVEMBER 2020 19
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Celtic v Aberdeen

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