Aberdeen dumped Celtic out of the Scottish Cup in the quarter-finals last month with a 1-0 win in Glasgow, since when the Dons have gone from that soaring high to last weekend's demoralising low of their semi-final defeat to Queen of the South.

Celtic gave themselves hope in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League title race on Wednesday with their dramatic victory over leaders Rangers, and know they must not follow that impressive performance with another failure against the Dons.

Gordon Strachan's side will go top of the SPL if they get the better of Aberdeen, and Calderwood recognises that is a massive incentive, and more than his sixth-placed team have to play for.

"I'm expecting a backlash from Celtic after we ended their Scottish Cup run down there, as they are proud players," said Calderwood.

"Added to that, they have their tails up (after beating Rangers) and they have a chance to return to the top if they beat us.

"It doesn't make it any easier for us, so the game will be a test of our character after last week.

"We can't just stand back and watch Celtic play. We have to play ourselves, and I believe they will do that.

"We need to try to get the smiles back on to the fans' faces but that is going to be difficult after last week.

"The only way to do it, is to show that we can beat these top teams and take that into next season."

On Tuesday Calderwood revealed a list of six players he will release at the end of the season, including senior professionals such as Richie Byrne and Steve Lovell.

Midfielder Barry Nicholson has also confirmed his exit, as he plans a move south of the border, but Calderwood will not shirk from playing anyone who will be on their way in the summer.

"I have no worries about playing any of the players who will be leaving as they are good professionals," he said.

"They have something to prove to me and also to any potential clubs that are watching them.

"These are the games you want to take part in with a 60,000 crowd. All the pressure is on Celtic so our lads should just go out and enjoy the game."

Celtic's win in the Old Firm clash nudged them to just one point behind Rangers, who at this stage have two games in hand.

Should Celtic win tomorrow, then beat Rangers again on April 27, and also defeat Motherwell on the following Saturday, they could find themselves with an eight-point lead.

Rangers will have four matches in hand, including a fixture at Hibernian the day after Celtic face Motherwell, but soon all the pressure could be on Walter Smith's men.

Celtic will be without Gary Caldwell for the game after he was reported by referee Kenny Clark for violent conduct at the end of the Rangers match, when he and David Weir were involved in a scuffle.

Both men receive one-match bans, and in Caldwell's absence Strachan could bring Guinean centre-back Bobo Balde into his starting line-up for a first Celtic appearance since January.