'Every final a last chance' - Aberdeen's Shinnie

Scottish Cup final: Aberdeen v Celtic

Venue: Hampden Park, Glasgow Date: Saturday, 24 May Time: 15:00 BST

Coverage: Watch on BBC One Scotland & iPlayer, listen on BBC Radio Scotland & Sounds, live text commentary on the BBC Sport website & app

They say it's the big moments that win big games.

Jonny Hayes had robbed Callum McGregor on the North Stand touchline and raced down the right, with Kenny McLean waiting on the six-yard line ready to put Aberdeen 2-1 up against Celtic in the Scottish Cup final.

It was the chance for glory and the chance to end almost 30 years of hurt for the Dons in the competition in the second half of the 2017 showpiece.

The Celtic defence had been caught short, with captain Scott Brown the only outfield player back.

Agonisingly for McLean, and the hoards in red and white behind Craig Gordon's goal, Hayes' pass drifted behind his team-mate and ended up in the gloves of the goalkeeper.

You could just about hear the sliding doors slamming shut when Tom Rogic sealed an invincible treble for Brendan Rodgers in his maiden season at the club in stoppage time.

The torrential rain and bolt of lightning that struck the east side of Glasgow just as the Australian's shot hit the net added to the seismic nature of those two pivotal moments.

"That's the way it went," Aberdeen captain then and captain now Graeme Shinnie tells BBC Scotland as he looks back at that final and before this season's.

"You've got to deal with that. We gave it absolutely everything that day and had little moments gone our way it could have been different.

"We've now got another chance this Saturday to get our hands on the trophy so we're going to give it our all."

Aberdeen 'fine with being underdogs'

This will be just a third appearance in the final since the turn of the century for Aberdeen, with the wait for that piece of silverware extending to 35 years.

There had been drama in the camp in the build-up to the 2017 edition, with Shinnie's predecessor as Pittodrie captain, Ryan Jack, stripped of the armband having turned down a contract extension in favour of a move to Rangers.

And although then-manager Derek McInnes started Jack, it was Shinnie who led the team.

"It was a difficult one if I'm being honest," Shinnie said. "Jacko was a good friend at that point and it was out of my hands. I couldn't really have a say in that.

"It was a massive honour and a massive privilege for me, but I also felt a little bit bad for my team-mate as well.

"There was a lot of stuff going on but, with a cup final coming up, that had to be the main focus and not who was going to be captain.

"To get it permanently after that is something I still value to this day and I feel extremely lucky to be able to walk out every day and lead this club."

Shinnie is well aware of Aberdeen's status as massive underdogs going into the match at Hampden.

A record of 30 games without a win over Celtic.

An aggregate seasonal scoreline of 19-4 between them.

A 6-0 mauling in the League Cup semi-final meeting earlier this term.

The facts are there as reference for the detractors.

Those optimistic at the prospect of the Scottish Cup being adorned in red and white ribbons on Saturday evening are few in number. Few outside of the Granite City will give them a prayer of preventing Celtic collecting a sixth treble in nine seasons.

"We just keep our heads down," Shinnie added. "We work hard, we prepare for the game in the right way, we set out our own game plan and try to execute that.

"People are going to say what they say. They have validation in what they're saying. Looking at it, we would be [underdogs] and that's fine for us.

"The main thing is how we perform and that's what we're focussed on preparing for."

Shinnie had tasted Scottish Cup success two years before Rogic broke his heart, as captain of Inverness Caledonian Thistle.

But, at 33, does he view this as a potential last shot at adding to his collection?

"Yes. It's very difficult to get to finals so you've always got to view them as a last chance. You don't want it to be and you're always hungry for more.

"Being realistic it could be so you don't want to pass up the opportunity."