NEIL LENNON hopes Dunfermline can tap into any Aberdeen “desperation” in their Scottish Cup quarter-final at East End Park on Saturday night.

The Pars boss was at Pittodrie on Wednesday night to see the Dons lose 2-1 to Celtic in the William Hill Premiership, which left the Granite City side without a win in six league games under interim boss Peter Leven and consigned to a bottom-six finish.

Retaining the trophy they won for the first time in 35 years in a dramatic penalty shoot-out against the Hoops last May is Aberdeen’s last chance of success this season, although Lennon insists his Championship outfit are “massive underdogs.”

However, asked if his side could use any pressure on the Dons to their advantage, the Northern Irishman said: “Yeah, I don’t see why not.

“I think they’ve even said themselves that the cup is their final chance of saving the season, if you want to call it that, so they’re going to be highly motivated for the game as well.

“There can be a touch of desperation about that, so if there is any then we’ll have to capitalise on that.

“They played well against Celtic and were unlucky not to get something out of the game.

“I’ve watched them three times now, twice against Motherwell and obviously last night. They can change formation and change personnel, they have quite a big squad so we have an idea of how they’re going to play away from home.

“I think they’re better at home. But they’re a top team and they’re the holders of the competition so we’re massive underdogs, but it’s a game we’re looking forward to.”

Lennon has taken encouragement from the 1-0 home win over Premiership side Hibernian in the competition before taking care of Kelty Hearts 2-0 in the previous round, as he plots a way to a semi-final at Hampden Park.

The former Leicester and Celtic midfielder said: “We’re at home and there’s going to be a bumper crowd here again.

“I was really pleased with the way the players handled the occasion against Hibs, the mentality was good so we’re going to need more of that again.

“It’s all about temperament and playing well on the day. We did that against Hibs and we’re going to have to do it all again.

“Anything can happen in a cup competition. We’re preparing as best we can and really looking forward to it. It’s a big opportunity. We’re going to leave no stone unturned.”