McInnes hits back at Hughes over mind games

[mizer]

DEREK McInnes last night insisted Yogi had made a big boo-boo with his attempt at League Cup mind games.

 

Inverness boss John Hughes said the football suits should just hand McInnes’s Aberdeen the trophy after forcing his side to play Hibs tonight in the league.

 

But McInnes hit back and argued that only last week big Yogi was saying he was glad to have a match in the build-up to Sunday’s final at Parkhead.

 

The Dons gaffer said: “I don’t know if it’s mind games, you’d need to ask him, but I’m a bit confused.Last week he said he’d rather have a game, that ‘these boys would rather play than train’. So which is it?

 

“The good thing from their point of view is that they have two players who are available for the final now. Without their game with Hibs, game that would have been up for debate.

 

“We both had a cup tie at the weekend and ran the risk of getting injuries and suspensions.

 

“We can only speak about our preparation and we’ve had a lot of games recently as well with one or two injuries and concerns.

 

“Would I like a midweek game before a final? Absolutely not but I thought I read comments last week that he was happy with the game.”

 

Hughes also tried to pile the pressure on the Dons by claiming the Pittodrie men are massive favourites for the final – but McInnes insists he’s heard it all before and won’t fall for any tricks.

 

McInnes said: “You can pre-write it and second-guess it. It was the Dumbarton players last week, saying all the pressure was on Aberdeen. We’ve had it all season.

 

“From every columnist to the opposition – and I understand why – there is an expectation on the team.

 

“There are 40,000 fans coming but the players have handled every situation and challenge so far. When there is more fans there then it’s something for the opposition to use.

 

“I get that but it’s not going to affect us. We’re going to play the game, not the occasion.”

 

McInnes is set to receive a final boost with Peter Pawlett expected to be passed fit for Sunday.

 

The Dons winger missed the Scottish Cup win over Dumbarton with a hip problem but McInnes said: “Peter will be fit. He hasn’t trained with the squad but will do tomorrow and if he comes through pain free, that will be him.”

[Nellie The Don]

I think that suggesting he's capable of 'mind games' is perhaps overestimating John Hughes a touch.

[Tyrant]

I think that suggesting he's capable of 'mind games' is perhaps overestimating John Hughes a touch.

 

 

 

 

Absolutely. I don't rate the guy as a manager. He's one of the very few managers that's more of an embarrassment than Dingus or Calderwood.