Aberdeen should have necks even more red then their jerseys as one excuse just doesn't wash anymore
The Dons have not lifted the famous old trophy since 1990 and Hugh Keevins is less than impressed
I’m partial to a wee night out so I’d be the last one to deny the Aberdeen fans the opportunity to wallow in nostalgia in the city’s Music Hall in May.
That is when, it has been announced, they’ll honour the legends of 1990 who beat Celtic on penalties in the Scottish Cup Final.
But shouldn’t Aberdeen, as a club, have necks even more red than their jerseys when they think about what’s happening?
That win, all of 35 years ago, was the last time they lifted that particular trophy as well as being the last time they saw the winners’ rostrum at Hampden.
When the League Cup was won after extra-time and penalties against Inverness Caley Thistle in 2014, the showpiece was played at Celtic Park. And that was the last time they won anything at all,
All of which should surely inspire Jimmy Thelin’s team to do better when they face Hearts in their Scottish Cup semi-final on April 19.
The old one about Celtic and Rangers and their budgets guaranteeing the Old Firm success on a level that has denied the rest of our clubs doesn’t wash.
Celtic were 24 hours from closure in 1994 but they won the Cup Final the next year under Tommy Burns’ management.
Rangers fell into administration and then liquidation in 2012 but had a cup win under Giovanni van Bronckhorst in 2022.
Seven teams outside of Glasgow’s big two have won the Scottish Cup since 1990. Hearts have done it three times, Dundee United and St Johnstone have managed it twice.
Motherwell, Hibs and Kilmarnock each have one momentous occasion to look back on. And so do Caley Thistle, who are now, sadly, at death’s door. Aberdeen? Zip.
Thirty-five years is a long time to spend resting on your laurels. But it ought to be a good excuse to get up off your backside and jump the penultimate hurdle that at least gives you the chance to see if this season’s Scottish Cup Final rewrites history.
If nothing else, you will get a wee night out in 2060 to remember the occasion if you do break the cycle of failure.
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