Aberdeen boss Derek McInnes says Cup competitions are the only realistic chance his side have of competing with Celtic and Rangers for silverware.
McInnes led the Reds to League Cup glory in the 2013/14 season during his first year in charge.
Aberdeen have failed to reach those heights since, but were mightily close when they finished runners-up to Celtic in all three competitions in 2016/17.
The Dons are hoping for another run this year but will need to get past Hearts at Tynecastle in their Betfred Cup quarter-final.
And the Pittodrie manager knows the importance of the fixture because of how difficult it is for his side to rival the two Glasgow giants in the Scottish Premiership.
He told REDTV: "The cups are our best opportunity of success.
"I think when Celtic and Rangers are doing their job in the league and recruiting well - and they've obviously got two very good managers in place - with the money they've got, it's difficult for any team to compete with these clubs through the league.
"So the cups offer us the best chance. We've obviously won one cup and been close on other occasions and have always seen the importance of cup football at the club.
"We go into the game with our own mission, our own agenda to try and get the club into another semi-final.
"We're trying to manage the situation with injuries. Obviously we're a bit restricted about different options, what we can do.
"But we've still got enough good players that can go and get a positive result."
Hearts have endured a poor start to the season, but picked up their first win of the season on Sunday against city rivals Hibs.
McInnes insists his men will not take Craig Levein's side lightly with the derby victory certain to give the Jambos a lift heading into the encounter.
He added: "There will obviously be a lot of positivity after the back end of the game against Hibs.
"I think any big victory makes you feel good about yourself. The supporters and players there will be feeling good about themselves.
"Craig (Levein) has been in the game long enough to know the importance of winning those types of games and I think when you win derby games, regardless of where, it can give you a bit of a spring in your step.
"And I expect that to probably be the case."
