BBC Sport Scotland commentator Liam McLeod has been answering some of your Aberdeen questions.
Justin asked: How do you think Aberdeen should approach the tactics for the cup final? And do Celtic need to have an off day for Aberdeen to win?
Liam answered: In short, yes, Celtic will need to be off it. If they play as they do most of the time, they will beat anyone on the day.
I have seen a lot of both teams this season and the most recent meeting between the two has to be a lesson for the Dons. Celtic were off it that night at Parkhead yet ran out 5-1 winners.
It was a poor a performance as the champions have put in at home this season and Aberdeen had plenty opportunities. They didn’t take them and were slack defensively.
Aberdeen have only kept seven clean sheets in the league this season while Celtic have only failed to score on three occasions. To win the Scottish Cup, Aberdeen may have to score three times, as they did against them in last season’s semi-final, to stand a chance of lifting the trophy.
Given their attacking prowess, it may sound a bit strange, but the fact Celtic clearly won’t be sitting in should work in Aberdeen’s favour and it’ll be about taking their opportunities when they arrive and defending properly.
Geoff asked: Loan players have been a slippery slope for the likes of Motherwell. Are Aberdeen at risk of becoming similarly exposed to players returning to parent clubs?
Liam answered: The Dons currently have four players on loan deals in Oday Dabbagh, Kevin Nisbet, Jeppe Okkels and Alfie Dorrington, which is probably the right amount.
It always comes with the quid pro quo that you are, generally, getting a player you wouldn’t otherwise be able to afford and who can enhance your season but it obviously comes with the fact they normally disappear into the sunset at the end of the season.
If Nisbet or Dabbagh come up with the big moment that wins the cup for Aberdeen then they’ll have written their name into the club’s history so it can pay dividends.
Aberdeen’s strategy is to buy talent and sell at a premium and they have been very successful at that recently.
But loans are essential in this day and age and it’s not as if Thelin will have to build a whole new team even when those four depart.
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