Derek McInnes dropped a hint on Thursday that last season’s top goal scorer Sam Cosgrove could start for the Dons against Celtic at Hampden on Sunday.
Cosgrove came on in the draw against Celtic last weekend and made an instant impact, creating chaos in the box and helping the team to two equalisers.
Cosgrove has had a full week of training and came through a behind closed doors match on Tuesday.
Matty Kennedy, Greg Leigh, Michael Devlin and Curtis Main all got valuable minutes in the training match set up by Dons boss Derek McInnes.
Marley Watkins has been confirmed fit for Sunday after being taken off in the 3-3 draw against Celtic as a precaution.
Ryan Edmondson is supposed to train today after coming through a concussion sustained when he fell into hoardings in a clash with Celtic centre-back Shane Duffy.
Dylan McGeouch is the major casualty for the semi-final, tearing his groin against Celtic last weekend, which could keep him out for up to eight weeks.
Tomas Cerny and Dean Campbell are also out.
McInnes keeping his feet on the ground as Dons look to avenge last season’s semi-final
Derek McInnes is not getting carried away with the hype around his squad, with many feeling this is the best Aberdeen side McInnes has had to work with since he became boss at Pittodrie.
McInnes said in his pre-match press conference: “I have heard a lot of people say this is our strongest squad. We have had previous squads who have done well for us, with good individuals within that.
“You can only really assess things at the end of the campaign. That is the time to reflect on how good this squad is.”
The Dons face a rather wounded Celtic at Hampden on Sunday and have a great chance of avenging the last Scottish Cup semi-final when they lost 3-0 through goals by James Forrest, Odsonne Édouard and Tom Rogic.
The helter-skelter match last weekend which saw six goals scored at Pittodrie in a 3-3 thriller has only added to Aberdeen’s growing appetite.
McInnes said of the club’s motivations: “We did not want the game to finish (last Sunday v Celtic). We’re bursting to get going. We would play the game tomorrow if we could.”
Aberdeen keeper Joe Lewis is high on confidence going into the match in Glasgow.
The Dons captain said before the game: “It is a good time for us to play anyone at the minute because of the way that we are playing. That’s how we look at it.
“I feel this season we are a better team and have a stronger depth to our squad.”
-Match report: 3-3 thriller between Aberdeen and Celtic in SPL
Hoops perpendicular season compared to the Dons
The Hoops are going through a tricky spell having not won in four. The last time they went on such a barren run was in 2014 when Celtic were unable to overcome Maribor twice, Cally Thistle and Dundee.
Their current run comes against a different calibre of opposition in AC Milan and Lille, but the loss to Rangers at Celtic Park two weeks ago and dropping points at Pittodrie will hurt the club.
The last time Celtic drew at Pittodrie was in 2016 having won the previous nine encounters in the North East.
The last team to lift the Scottish Cup outside the Old Firm was Hibernian in 2016, beating Rangers 3-2 in the final.
Hibs are in action against Hearts on Saturday in the corresponding semi-final.
It should be an intriguing Edinburgh derby taking place in the latter stages of Scotland’s premier cup competition.
Other news: Considine’s new deal
It’s no surprise centre-back Andrew Considine is on the brink of penning a new deal at Aberdeen – the club he’s been at his whole career.
The contract is richly rewarded for fine form by Considine this season, including two exemplary performances in his long awaited debut for the Scottish national side in October.
Considine is sixth in the all-time appearance record for the Dons behind Willie Miller, Alex McLeish, Bobby Clark, Stewart McKimmie and Jim Leighton.
Celtic v Aberdeen, Scottish Cup semi-final, Hampden, Sunday 1st Nov, KO 2:30pm
Harry Jamshid Reporter Sports Pages 