The defender is keen to get the bragging rights over Jamie McGrath on Tuesday evening.
19:00, 29 Dec 2025
Aberdeen's Jack Milne applauds the fans
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Aberdeen's Jack Milne applauds the fans(Image: SNS Group)
Jack Milne knows Euro pushing Aberdeen have to stop shooting themselves in the foot by giving away cheap goals.
It has been a common theme in recent games and the defender has acknowledged he has also been guilty.
A number of backline blunders from various Dons players have cost Jimmy Thelin’s side dearly.
That was the case in the weekend draw with Dundee United and is something Aberdeen will look to put right against Hibs.
It is not as if the Reds’ defence has been cut open by a piece of brilliance and Milne knows that they need to cut out the self-inflicted errors if they want to get back into the fight for Europe and above.
Milne said: “I think we dominated large parts of the (Dundee United) game and we got to the final third many times, but didn’t do enough to create enough chances and score goals.
“The goal we gave away was too cheap. Some of the goals we have conceded, we know haven’t been good enough.
“I can understand the frustration from the fans because we are frustrated as well. It is too easy at times.
“We make mistakes, myself included and it is something we need to tidy up on if we want to win games.
“It is so important to try and keep clean sheets. We have seen it plenty of times this season, where we have won 1-0.
“Saturday could have been one of those. They didn’t really create a lot and the goal they scored just wasn’t good enough.”
Milne knows he and his team need to be more focused.
He added: “It is a concentration thing. It is difficult when you feel you are dominating games and wanting to be on the front foot and you get caught out.
“Our job as a defender is to deal with that and to stay switched on all the time. We have to be ready for anything. We’ve spoken about it and it is something we are trying to clamp down on.”
Rocky Bushiri scores to make it 3-3 against Aberdeen
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Rocky Bushiri scores to make it 3-3 against Aberdeen
Hibs are directly above Aberdeen and an away win would see them draw level in fifth place. Milne thinks it could suit them because Hibs will come out and have a go.
Other teams tend to go to Pittodrie and sit in. Hibs also won the away fixture last time out.
The 22-year-old claimed: “It was a disappointing day. It was a couple of months ago. We have been better defensively since then, especially in the league.
“We know it wasn’t good enough and we will try and put it right next time. To be honest, I think that will suit us, a more open game.
“They are off the back of a great result in the derby and they will be bouncing.
“We will be backing ourselves to go and win and take the three points.
“We want to close the gap. Europe is done now. The full focus is now on the league, trying to rack up the points and to get up the table.”
A big threat to Aberdeen will come in the shape of Jamie McGrath, who swapped the Granite City for Hibs in the summer.
Milne warned: “He is a great player. I have seen first hand what he can do. He is a friend of mine and he is doing really well.
“Hopefully, on Tuesday he won’t play so well. Before the game, I will drop him a text and hopefully he won’t be at it on Tuesday.
“He is a very good player and he can hurt you from anywhere. He is very versatile and likes to drift into positions where defenders don’t want to go.
“He is intelligent but hopefully we will deal with him on Tuesday.”
Thelin is also looking to add more of an attacking threat to his team going forward. Milne knows they need to get more from set plays and have turned to Premier League leaders Arsenal for inspiration.
“You see some of the best teams in the world rely on set pieces,” Milne confessed. “Arsenal are one of the biggest ones.
“We do a lot of video and analysis on Arsenal. Sometimes they are going and winning games off a set play.
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“It is so important in today’s game. We had a lot on Saturday and we didn’t really capitalise.”
Aberdeen are without Gavin Molloy and Kristers Tobers but Dylan Lobban returns from suspension.