Jimmy Calderwood believes Aberdeen must make home advantage count if they are to advance to the semi-finals of the Scottish Cup.The Pittodrie club face Celtic on Sunday afternoon in the last eight of the competition.

Calderwood thinks if his side are to have a realistic chance of advancing to the next round then they must finish the job on their own patch and ensure the match does not go to a replay at Parkhead.

He said: "I think if we are going to go through then we will need to win the game here in Aberdeen because it will be difficult to go back to Parkhead and do that.

"Obviously if you are losing one nil and you score in the last minute then you would settle for going to Parkhead.

"But at this moment in time if we are going to progress then we have to give winning at home our best shot.

"We have caused some upsets here before and looking at our home record this season, it has not been too bad.

"It's the away games that have let us down badly."

Two of Aberdeen's high points in an inconsistent season to date were the impressive results gained against FC Copenhagen and Bayern Munich at Pittodrie in the UEFA Cup.

Aberdeen comprehensively defeated the Danes 4-0 in their final group game to set up a last-32 clash against the Bundesliga leaders.

The Dons then recorded a superb 2-2 draw at Pittodrie in the home leg against Bayern, before being eliminated via a heavy loss at the Allianz Arena.

When asked if he thinks his players can repeat those fantastic performances when Celtic visit the Granite City, Calderwood said: "The players have proved they can do it before, so I don't see why not.

"They have excelled themselves in many big games this season.

"It's very difficult when you keep getting injuries all the time and you can look at this game where Darren Mackie and Steve Lovell are out, which is a massive blow.

"But that is football and we just have to get on with it"

Mackie will miss the Celtic game due to a hamstring problem, while fellow striker Lovell is out with a foot injury he suffered in last weekend's 3-1 defeat to Rangers.

In better news for Calderwood, Jamie Smith is now free of his persistent hamstring troubles and such are Aberdeen's lack of options in attack, the former Celtic player could start up front against his former employers.

Calderwood would have no problems using playmaker Smith in a more forward role, saying: "Jamie can play anywhere and he has been a bit of a talisman for us this season.

"The beauty of having Jamie fit is that he can do well in a number of positions."

More Football News from TEAMtalk