Nicky Devlin ready for fresh Daizen Maeda Celtic approach as Aberdeen star holds hands up over Hampden tussle

Aberdeen star Nicky Devlin has insisted he has learned his lesson and won’t be side-tracked by Daizen Maeda’s antics again.

The fired-up Japanese international was a key figure for the Hoops as he hit a hat-trick in the 6-0 demolition of the Dons in the Premier Sport Cup semi-final back in November. Maeda was out of character as he barged in the Scotland, off the field, in the opening minutes and continually tried to rile him on and off the park.

Devlin said: “Yeah, I might try a different approach. There were a few early bumps in the game. I’ve not had anything with him before to be fair. It wasn't something that was an intentional thing because I think as a defender, you're always playing a risky game if you try and play games like that, because more often than not the strikers are going to attack and players get better opportunities to get one over you than you do on them.

“Listen, he did really well on the day. I’d hold my hands up and say he got the better of me on that day. He got a hat-trick, didn't he? If I'm selected and if he's selected on Wednesday then hopefully I won't let it happen again.”

Devlin sensed that it wasn’t just Maeda that was pumped up. It was the entire Celtic squad who had been rattled by the fact Aberdeen had come two 2-0 behind to rescue a point at Parkhead in the league. Devlin admitted: “Yeah, I felt it, which is out of character for him (Maeda’s actions).

"I felt Celtic were really pumped up on the day. They probably didn’t like the result a couple of weeks before at Parkhead.

“So, yeah, that probably maybe added a wee bit for them to the game, but it's something that happens probably in most games. Maybe because I'm not used to seeing anything with him.”

The 6-0 defeat was Aberdeen’s