Fired-up Stephen Glass is desperate to keep Aberdeen’s Scottish Cup dream alive to kick-start their season.
The Dons are well aware of the importance of trying to lift silverware and the Cup remains their only hope.
Glass knows the importance of finally putting one over on their bogey team Motherwell at Fir Park and kicking their season into life.
The Dons boss said: “The Scottish Cup has been the only issue in terms of winning something since we were beaten at Raith Rovers. We weren’t going to win the league by that time.
“You go into every season believing you can win things. When the Scottish Cup comes round that is the opportunity.
“The season’s not dead but I don’t want to talk about not being in the Scottish Cup. All our focus is on winning games.
“We still have a league campaign that if we look after ourselves, especially over the next week, we will be in a pretty strong position.
“This Cup is massive for us but there’s no looking at what if this or that happens – all our focus is on winning a game.”
Motherwell will fancy their chances, having won both previous games this season 2-0 and scoring with their only four shots on goal.
More than 2000 of the Red Army have already bought tickets for Fir Park. Glass knows if his team plays like they can then their fans will get right behind the team.
He added “To me there’s one thing that’s never been in question and that’s the backing of the fans when they’ve been given something to back. That’s important to note for me.
“The start of the game is important, that we influence the stadium and our supporters, get them right behind us. If we don’t it can turn a little bit and that suits the home team.
“I’m sure they’ll have a plan to try and do that. But we know exactly the backing we get when we give them something. That’s what we’re looking to do.
“A lot of people focus on the grumblings but if you’re in that stadium the other night, and you feel that atmosphere and the backing in the second half, it’s so apparent what they want and what they respond to.
“It’s important that as a group we give them that.”
Aberdeen haven’t lifted the Cup since 1990 and Glass knows a glory run could also be a catalyst to their season.
He said: “Yes, definitely. It would give a real feelgood factor to make sure we’re in it. It’s important we’re one of the Premiership teams still in the Cup.
“Motherwell stand in our way and we know what they’re capable of. It’s a challenge we’re capable of taking on.”
Christian Ramirez has been one of Aberdeen’s leading lights this season. He has 14 goals but refused to reveal his total target.
The American striker said: “I leave that discussion to others as I have all year. It just feels nice to have the backing of your team and the staff which is what drove me to join Aberdeen.
“Sometimes I’ve floated in and out of games but when I get the opportunity I put it away.
“At the end of the day I just try to do what I’m good at and that’s scoring goals.”
This might be his first season in Scotland but he knows the Dons need to rewrite more history in the competition.
Ramirez said: “When you’re at this club, these competitions are pressure situations just like any game is and you’re expected to win and progress. That’s pressure we welcome.”
