Sunday 1 March 2015 19:22, UK
Derek McInnes conceded his Aberdeen side has suffered a painful lesson in their 4-0 defeat at Celtic Park on Sunday afternoon, although he refused to be too critical of his players.
Aberdeen, pressing high and bristling with enterprise, held the edge over their lacklustre hosts for the bulk of the opening period but Jason Denayer's header from a corner kick meant it was 1-0 at the break.
And Ronny Deila's side found their range in the second-half - after Aberdeen had had a penalty claim turned down - as Leigh Griffiths netted from the spot before Gary Mackay-Steven and Stefan Johansen profited late on as the tiring Dons unravelled.
McInnes said: "We set out to try to go and make things happen, and I thought we caused Celtic a lot of problems. The first goal is always pivotal in these games and it was self-inflicted. They've scored from their first corner and that's three goals they've scored against us from corners, so we've got to learn.
"While there's still a lot to be pleased about, and a lot of positives to be taken from the first half, we shouldn't go in 1-0 down. The response in the second half was to try to get back into the game as quickly as possible and I thought we started the second half okay, and I thought we should have had a penalty at 1-0, it hits Nir Bitton's arm.
There is the feeling we can improve and that's the target for any team
"It shows there's still a lot to learn for us, the concentration side, the set plays, the mentality at 2-0 to keep doing the right things. I just thought we unravelled at that stage. Once we went two down Celtic really put us to the sword."
Aberdeen won their first trophy for 19 years last season and, despite losing this particular battle, McInnes insists there are still plenty of grounds for optimism.
He said: "Celtic showed exactly why they're top of the league because they've got players who can exploit those moments of lack of concentration. There is a lot to like about my team.
"I'm not going to sit here and be critical of them because the fact you guys (media) are here and excited about the game in March is because of their efforts and that shouldn't be forgotten.
"There is an acceptance that maybe we are not quite ready to go and take them on but there is the feeling we can improve and that's the target for any team."
