The Parkhead men are three points ahead of the Dons with a game in hand ahead of the keenly-awaited tie at Celtic Park.
At the pre-match press conference at the club's Lennoxtown training complex, the Hoops boss stated that the visitors, unbeaten in their last 13 league games, could not afford to lose.
However, the Aberdeen manager is somewhat puzzled by his Celtic counterpart's comments.
"He is entitled to his opinion but I find it quite strange when there are still 33 points available to us after Sunday's game," McInnes told RedTV.
"So from my point of view, win lose or draw, there is still a lot to play for.
"I think it would be wrong to dismiss the challenge of everybody else and it would be wrong to suggest it would be a formality after that (a Celtic win).
"Talk of must-win games at both ends of the table, for me, normally comes after the split.
"We are aware that there is not a lot of room for error but I think it would be wrong to say that with so much football still to play."
Source: PA Sport