JIM GOODWIN wants his Aberdeen team to emulate Hearts and shock Celtic at Parkhead tomorrow.
The Dons manager cited the Jambos' Tynecastle win in last season’s curtain-riaser against the Glasgow club as what can be achieved as he insisted his new recruits – nine and, he says, two more on the way – would not be fazed by the unfurling of the Premiership title flag and the euphoria that will envelope the home supporters as a result.
Goodwin’s overhaul of his squad has been dramatic as he pledged there would be no repeat of last season’s disastrous campaign which saw his side finish third from bottom of the league table and not within sniffing distance of a cup triumph.
A satisfying four-game winning run in the Premier Sports Cup group stage has been more than useful in their preparation for the league season ahead, but Celtic represent a bigger hurdle that Peterhead, Stirling Albion, Dumbarton and Raith Rovers, their League Cup opponents.
As for tomorrow, there is excitement more than even a semblance of apprehension from his squad.
“Of course, we’re well aware of the celebrations that will be going on at Parkhead on Sunday,” he said, “but going to Parkhead when there is a party-like atmosphere, it’s up to us to try and keep their supporters quiet and to do that we have to be on it.
“We have to defend well, we have to be organised and not give Celtic too much space. But at the same time, when we’re in possession of the ball, we have to have the bravery and courage to go and try to play.
“We’re not going there and going to be fearful at all. We looked at what Hearts did last season and managed to beat them early on. There’s no reason why we can’t do the same.
“We’ve got players who haven’t played at Parkhead before and have never experienced that atmosphere and these boys are really excited about it.”
Time will tell what newcomers to Scottish football, such as £535,000 signing Bojan Miovski and midfielder Ramadani, both from MTK Budapest, and others who have come from south of the border, will make of the Celtic Park atmosphere. Goodwin reckons they’ll love it.
He said: “This is the reason they came to Scotland, to play at venues like this in big games against international quality players. It’s going to be a great test for the young group of players we’ve got here but one that they’re certainly not going to shy away from.
“They’ve all settled in very, very well and they’ve got no fear of Celtic because they’ve never been there before.
“We’ve explained that to the players that regardless of the opposition we expect to go into the game with a positive mindset believing we can win.
“We are aware of how tough the task is against the current champions but I went there once with St Mirren when nobody gave us a hope in hell.
“We managed to win that game on the day so there is no reason why we can’t do that again with Aberdeen.
“Of course that won’t be easy but at the same time Celtic will expect a difficult game from us as well.”
Meanwhile, Jonny Hayes, as enthusiastic and energetic as ever, despite having completed his 20th pre-season preparations, is happy to be back in a more attacking role following a couple of seasons where he was used is various positions, notably as a left-back.
He stressed the need for the Dons to want to win tomorrow as he brushed aside thoughts that some teams turn up at Parkhead not expecting to win.
He said: “I’m not berating anyone else but I hate that mentality. I don’t like it. If it is a free hit why turn up at all?
“It is 90 minutes for Aberdeen Football Club to go and win a game. Or at least give your best to try to win a game.
“I hope I win every single game I play football in. In training, in five-a-side, seven-a-side. I play to win every single game. Personally, I don’t think that is a bad thing.
“If that can rub off on younger players it is important to have that mentality.”
