Aberdeen

Nick McPheat
BBC Sport Scotland

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With Saturday's final at Hampden fast approaching, BBC Scotland has flicked through the archives to look back on some classic Scottish Cup ties between Aberdeen and Celtic.

Here are three from recent memory to whet your appetite for the weekend...

Aberdeen 3-3 Celtic (5-6 pens) - Scottish Cup semi-final, April 2024

You only have to rewind a year to remind yourself of arguably the greatest cup encounter between these sides.

Following an incredible six-goal thriller, Celtic goalkeeper Joe Hart went from zero to hero after hitting the woodwork with what would have been a match-winning moment, before decisively saving Killian Phillips' spot-kick in a dramatic shootout.

That drama was befitting of a classic match, with Aberdeen scoring two last-gasp equalisers.

With interim boss Peter Leven in charge, the Dons took a surprise lead after two minutes through Bojan Miovski.

Celtic fought back to go ahead when Nicolas Kuhn capitalised on Angus MacDonald's error before James Forrest curled in a second.

Ester Sokler's 90th-minute header forced extra time, and MacDonald made up for his mishap to force penalties with a header of his own in minute 119 after Matt O'Riley rocketed Celtic 3-2 up.

In the end, the Parkhead side prevailed on penalties to their 60th Scottish Cup final, where they defeated rivals Rangers back at Hampden.

Celtic 2-1 Aberdeen - Scottish Cup final, May 2017

A sore memory for any Dons fan, but a magical day for anyone of a Celtic persuasion.

With the 2017 final heading for extra time, the Glasgow side completed a domestic treble without losing a game when Tom Rogic fired in a stoppage-time winner in Brendan Rodgers' debut season in Scotland.

A neat Jonny Hayes strike after nine minutes rewarded the Dons' impressive start, but Celtic were level within two minutes as Stuart Armstrong was able to pick out the far corner.

Late Celtic pressure paid off in the dying seconds as Rogic fired low past goalkeeper Joe Lewis to spark wild scenes.

The post-match celebrations will be remembered for defender Kieran Tierney unexpectedly reappearing to lift the trophy after suffering a facial injury in the first half.

Tierney said on social media that the win was "worth a broken jaw".

Celtic 1-2 Aberdeen - Scottish Cup last 16, February 2014

A positive one to end on for Dons fans, revisiting their team's comeback win at Celtic Park in 2014.

Aberdeen had not won at Parkhead for six years and fell behind when Anthony Stokes netted a composed finish.

But Russell Anderson's leveller and Peter Pawlett's winner gave Derek McInnes' side a shock victory.

That win sent McInnes' men, who won the League Cup that season, into the quarters, but they were eliminated in the last four by St Johnstone.

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Graham Watson scored a sudden-death penalty when Aberdeen last won the Scottish Cup in 1990.

You'd be forgiven for thinking he is given a hero's welcome on his each and every return to Pittodrie. But that isn't the case.

"Unless they knew me, I don't think anybody would recognise me at Pittodrie now," Watson said.

"Some people will probably look at the cup final team picture and query 'who's that guy?'"

Among a star-studded side, the defender was an unlikely hero at 19 years old.

He was, reluctantly, tasked with lining up against against Republic of Ireland and Celtic goalkeeper Pat Bonner to keep his team alive in the shootout.

Flame-haired Watson came off the bench in extra time for just his fifth first-team appearance after making his debut less than a month previously and kept his cool amid the Hampden "bedlam" to make it 8-8.

The teenager's strike paved the way for Brian Irvine to score the winner after Anton Rogan's spot-kick was saved by Dons keeper Theo Snelders.

"I didn't even expect to be in the 13," 54-year-old Watson said, reflecting on his career-defining day 35 years on and ahead of Saturday's Hampden rematch between the teams.

He added: "Even when I was on the bench, I didn't think about going on the park. I felt like a spectator.

"When I did get on, I had a few involvements in the game and then it just kind of ran to penalties and I was thinking there's no way I would be part of any conversations for taking a penalty.

"It was just a major relief when I saw it going in. It would have been good to score the winner but it was still good to score one. It would have been a disaster if I'd missed."

The 1990 triumph would be the pinnacle of Watson's otherwise low-key career. He broke his leg in a friendly in Holland a few weeks later and missed the entire following season.

After 13 appearances in the 1991-92 campaign, he dropped back into the reserves and then left Pittodrie in 1994 and had spells with Clyde, Livingston and Forfar before embarking on a long career in the police.

"It was funny because I went up 10 years ago for the 25-year anniversary and some of the other players didn't even recognise me because obviously I'm bald now and have put on a bit of weight," said Watson.

"Some professionals play for 20 years or make 400 appearances for a team and don't win a cup final so for me to have 15-20 appearances for Aberdeen and get a cup winner's medal there, I feel pretty lucky."

As Aberdeen and Celtic prepare to play in Saturday's Scottish Cup final, watch highlights of the 2017 meeting between the pair when Tom Rogic struck late to give Celtic an unbeaten domestic treble.

Defender Mats Knoester reveals manager Jimmy Thelin was angry with the Aberdeen squad in the final weeks of the season as they slumped to fifth in the Scottish Premiership. (Press and Journal - subscription required), external

Read Friday's Scottish gossip

Dante Polvara is well aware Aberdeen have been written off by many as no-hopers in the Scottish Cup final.

He isn't bothered. In fact, the American midfielder is convinced the Dons can thrive on their underdog status against Celtic.

"In a weird way, it makes it a bit nicer knowing there's no pressure on you, right? So you can really go out there and go for it," Polvara told BBC Scotland.

"We obviously put pressure on ourselves, but outside of the city there's no real pressure, no expectation.

"That kind of gives us the licence and belief, like, okay, everyone's against us, and that lets you form a bit of a tighter-knit group and a real belief within.

"We do have the potential to prove people wrong. We've done it in big games before. We've upset teams in the past since I've been here.

"So you get it right on the day, you get some luck from the football gods, and you never know what could happen."

Polvara, 24, is no longer overawed by the prospect of heading to the national stadium with silverware at stake.

"It must be my fifth or sixth game at Hampden. At first it can be quite daunting," he added.

"It's obviously a different set-up than any of us are used to with 50-50 fans. The fans are quite far from the pitch and getting used to a new environment is sometimes tough.

"Compared to the first time, I'm in a much better place mentally to approach it just with less emotion and approach it in a more professional manner.

"I can't wait. It's a great way to end the season and it would be even better to have a parade through the city."

Seven different players have scored a combined 12 goals on Aberdeen's route to this season's Scottish Cup final.

But who could be the Dons' hero on Saturday if they are to upset the odds against treble-chasing Celtic and lift the trophy for the first time since 1990?

Oday Dabbagh, who netted the extra-time winner over Hearts in the semi, is Aberdeen's top scorer in the tournament with three goals, with Kevin Nisbet and departed Duk on two goals each.

Will Dabbagh repeat those heroics at the weekend? Could Nisbet inspire the side to a historic win? Or are you backing someone else to make themselves a legend?

Send us your thoughts

Aberdeen's first Scottish Cup final since 2017 is looming.

Can the Dons stun Celtic at Hampden on Saturday to crown Jimmy Thelin's first season in charge with a glorious triumph?

To get you in the mood, watch all the goals on the Reds' road to the final.

Follow the Scottish Cup final across BBC Sport, with live coverage on BBC One Scotland, Radio Scotland, iPlayer and the BBC Sport website and app.

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Aberdeen defender Jack MacKenzie is available for Saturday's Scottish Cup final against Celtic following the facial injury he sustained after being hit by a section of seating thrown at Tannadice.

MacKenzie, an unused substitute against Dundee United, was taken down the tunnel in a wheelchair after being caught on the face by the object, which came from a section housing Dons supporters.

A 31-year-old man has been charged with "acting in a culpable and reckless manner" in connection with the incident.

"Jack MacKenzie has trained on the pitch today, and he was okay," said manager Jimmy Thelin. "He is available for Saturday's game.

"We have a strong support network, good team-mates and good staff.

"Jack is a strong guy, he has been performing well in the sessions. We also try to look forwards and not back. We have been taking care of him and he is doing well."

Aberdeen will have around 20,000 fans at Hampden at the weekend and Thelin was quick to stress that the behaviour of one individual should not reflect badly on the wider support.

"No matter what you do in life, if it's football or something else, you have to feel safe in your job of course," he said.

"Incidents can happen, and it's not okay, but it can happen. But overall if you think about the big picture, all the support we've had this year from the Aberdeen football family, it has been an incredible experience for me to be involved with across the year, all the emotions from the season.

"Overall it is an amazing club with amazing supporters, so sometimes incidents can happen and it's not okay, and it could have been even worse, but if you look at the bigger picture it has been a good year in my opinion."

Saturday's match will be the first final of Thelin's managerial career, with Aberdeen aiming to win the cup for the first time in 35 years.

"We have a clear plan of what we're going to do," said the Swede.

"I think the Scottish Cup has a really big history, it's a big thing, and you can feel it already around the club and around the country. We are really excited for this moment, everyone."

Liam McLeod
BBC Sport Scotland Commentator

Much will be said and written about one of the strangest league seasons in Aberdeen's history as they eventually dropped to fifth place in the final Premiership standings.

Having been bottom six last term it is an improvement on the face of it, but many will feel a lingering sense of disappointment given the strong position they occupied in November.

As focus now turns to Saturday's Scottish Cup final, what happened in the league will be forgotten if they can upset the odds at Hampden Park.

The Dons are massive long shots. Bookmakers make Celtic 1/7 odds-on favourites to complete a domestic treble. In other words, they give Aberdeen next to no chance of ending a 35-year wait for a trophy they won five times in eight years from 1982 to their last success in 1990.

Indeed, you won't find anyone outside Aberdeen giving them a prayer and that is something manager Jimmy Thelin will surely tap into this week with his players. After all, there is always a chance.

Given Brendan Rodgers' side have run in 10 goals in the past two meetings and hit Thelin's men for six at the national stadium in November's League Cup semi-final, it is little surprise Aberdeen are such underdogs.

The fact they go into the final on the back of four successive defeats means they are hardly in great shape to face the best team in the country for the silverware.

So, how do the Dons cause one of the biggest Scottish Cup final upsets in the competition's 152-year history?

You have to go back to 1994 for inspiration when Dundee United defeated Walter Smith's dominant Rangers side. The Ibrox club were huge favourites and like Celtic this season, were on a treble, only to have it scuppered by Craig Brewster's goal.

Yes, Hearts beat Rangers fours years later but Smith's team was ageing by then, had missed out on 10 in a row and Jim Jefferies' men had competed well at the top of the league that season.

Before '94, you are probably going back to Eddie Turnbull's Aberdeen getting one over Jock Stein's Celtic in 1970 for a bona fide shock result in a Scottish Cup final. Stein's side featured eight Lisbon Lions, but the Dons won 3-1.

The last time Aberdeen lifted the trophy in 1990 after an energy-sapping penalty shootout, they were a better team than Celtic and had won the League Cup earlier that season so it wasn't a surprising outcome.

The gap between the two has flipped dramatically since then while Rodgers hasn't lost a game at Hampden and has only lost one of the 42 domestic cup ties he has presided over across his two spells at Parkhead.

Whatever way you slice it up, if the Scottish Cup has red and white ribbons wrapped round it on Saturday evening, it will have been as the result of one of the biggest shocks in the history of the showpiece.

Glen Schreuder
Fan writer

Our league season has ended with a whimper. And fans are clearly frustrated as four straight defeats is not exactly the form you want going into a Scottish Cup final.

Sadly the build-up to the final will be overshadowed by the scenes at full-time at Tannadice last Saturday where an object thrown from the away end injured Jack MacKenzie.

I am sure the individual responsible will be punished for their actions which tarnish the Aberdeen support that has consistently followed their team in numbers.

On the pitch a bright first 40 minutes rekindled the Aberdeen of old, with fast passing, line breaks and creating chances. Where has that been in recent weeks?

Sadly, familiar failures reared their ugly head. Once again we conceded goals in quick succession - that's three games now we have shipped two in 10 minutes.

There was also a lack of character and confidence, which seriously needs to be addressed over the summer. So does our ability to defend corners.

Lots of work to be done this summer, however for now the focus turns to Hampden. We travel in hope rather than expectation, but we have to cling to the belief we can pull off a minor miracle this Saturday. Maybe it's written in the stars?

Glen Schreuder can be found at Red Tinted Glasses, external

Watch the Sportscene panel discuss Aberdeen's season and the importance of next weekend's Scottish Cup final.

Watch the Sportscene panel discuss the incident involving an object hitting Aberdeen's Jack MacKenzie during a full-time pitch invasion at Tannadice.

Watch all the action as Dundee United secured a European spot with a 2-1 win over Aberdeen in their final Scottish Premiership game.

We asked for your views on Aberdeen's 2-1 defeat against Dundee United.

Here's what some of you said:

Angus: All season we have struggled in the air, I'm surprised we've not been made to to pay more for it than we have. That has to be one of the top priorities for next season.

Andy: Yet another shocker to add to the long list of shockers this season. This game kind of summed up Aberdeen's season. Started great, got found out and then fell apart at the seams. In the end, United's work rate and desire were superior to Aberdeen's. This is what wins games. Jimmy Thelin still doesn't know what his best side is or even if he's got one.

Lindsey: After such a bright start, we crumbled. United wanted it more and deserved the win. Seems we can't maintain any momentum and fail to capitalise on any attacking moves into the box. Bearing in mind we are desperate for a goal, it's somewhat perplexing to see Peter Ambrose come on.

Will: What a shambles, manager and team showed great promise at start of the season but both flattered to deceive. Is the manager the right person for the post? Let's give it until next season. If Dons do not finish third or above, he needs to go. Some may say Dons got lucky in the opening 15 games this time round how could they then finish fifth?

Fred: Another poor performance. We have no versatility, no defence, no attack and a very weak midfield. Our current form is disgraceful and our recent signings by the manager have not strengthened the team. I would not trust him to spend the transfer budget wisely.

Euan: Another absolute embarrassment dished up by this group of players and manager. How long will this go on for? Imagine dreading a Scottish Cup final, that's where we are though.

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• Dundee United have won 14 points from losing positions in the Premiership this season, only Rangers (16) have recovered more.

• Aberdeen have lost an away game after leading at half time in the Premiership for the first time since 2nd March 2024 against St Mirren (seven games without defeat).

• Sam Dalby has scored 15 goals in the Premiership this season (one in this game), more than any other Dundee United player.

• Aberdeen have lost their last four games in the Premiership, their last longer losing streak was from 21 December 2024 to 5 January 2025, a run of five games.

Brian Irvine, who scored Aberdeen's winning penalty in their 1990 Scottish Cup final over Celtic, will turn 60 on Saturday when the sides meet again in this season's final - and is unsure whether he will attend the game or watch at home. (Record), external

Irvine reveals he was "never confident" with penalties prior to his famous spot-kick. (Herald - subscription required), external

Read Sunday's Scottish gossip