Former Aberdeen manager Barry Robson, who also played for Celtic, believes the Dons must follow the example of bravery and aggression shown by Arne Slot’s Liverpool on Sunday if they are to win on Wednesday.

“You can’t just open up and take your chances against Celtic because of the quality they have,” Robson told BBC Scotland. “It’s about finding the right balance: when to play, when to press, when to leave the game.

“Take Liverpool’s game against Man City this weekend. It was the classic way of doing things.

“Liverpool pressed really well at times, they were so aggressive. Sometimes they came out of the game and, sometimes, they played on. That’s what you need to do well – you need to find the right balance overall.”

Robson knows that is easier said than done, as evidenced by Celtic’s 6-0 victory over Aberdeen in the League Cup semi-final at Hampden.

“It’s different from the previous two games,” he suggests. “At Pittodrie it’s a lot more closed, you can get a little closer to them and disrupt the game a little more. There’s a different feeling, with the fans behind you on your pitch.

Stopping midfield duo Callum McGregor and Reo Hatate is key to containing Celtic as a whole, suggests Robson.

“We have to try to flood the middle of the field,” he said. “They are so creative in there. You have to counter-press well – every time you give the ball away you have to react quickly. You have to get it back.

“You can’t let McGregor and Hatate take advantage of the game. You have to make sure you take them out of their rhythm. And make sure you pass the ball quickly.

“That means hitting the forwards and the full-backs and letting them go and try to hit Celtic. It’s just about being brave when you can.”