Nicky Devlin on what Aberdeen must do to beat Celtic as goal scoring full back insists Dons can go up a gear

Aberdeen must produce a better performance if they are to beat Celtic in Sunday’s Scottish League Cup semi-final, according to defender Nicky Devlin.

The Dons were beaten 2-0 by Celtic in the league at Pittodrie in September in a match where Devlin captained the team in the absence of Anthony Stewart.

However, Devlin believes that Aberdeen can get a different result in the semi-final if they can produce a better performance, and he is confident that the team can go up a gear to do so.

"We need to be at our best if we want to beat them," Devlin said. "Celtic are a very good side, but we have shown that we can compete with them. We just need to be more consistent and produce a better performance over 90 minutes."

Aberdeen have won their last two matches in all competitions, beating Motherwell in the league and Hibs in the Scottish Cup, and Devlin believes that the team is starting to find some form.

"We're starting to play well as a team," Devlin said. "We're creating chances and scoring goals. We just need to keep working hard and improving, and I'm confident that we can go on a good run of form and challenge for trophies this season.

Aberdeen will be without Stewart for the semi-final after he picked up a knock in the win over Hibs, but Devlin is confident that the team can cope without the defender.

"Losing Anthony is a blow, but we have other players who can come in and do a job," Devlin said. "We're all ready to step up and take responsibility. We're all in this together, and we're all determined to win silverware for the club.