Sir Alex Ferguson believes Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes can lead the Dons to Scottish Cup success this season after sending his former club on a fourth-round trip to Partick Thistle.
Former Manchester United manager Ferguson, who won the Scottish Cup four times in his trophy-laden days in charge at Pittodrie, watched Monday night’s 4-0 demolition of Partick which moved Aberdeen back into second place in the Scottish Premiership before making the draw at the Granite City’s Marcliffe Hotel yesterday.
Ferguson has been impressed with the way McInnes has reshaped Aberdeen since taking charge in April and believes they are well in the running to win the trophy for the first time since 1990. He said: “Having watched Aberdeen against Partick Thistle on Monday night, I think they have every chance in the cup.
“Any away draw is always difficult but they have the capability to do well.
“I watched Partick play against Celtic a couple of weeks back and they played some good football. So it won’t be easy for Aberdeen, but then they are the only side to have given Partick a bit of a thrashing this season – 3-0 at Firhill and 4-0 on Monday night.
“It will be a hard tie, but I think that one and Hearts against Celtic are the two biggest ties in the draw.”
The 71-year-old, who famously led the Dons to victory in the European Cup-Winners’ Cup in 1983, reckons Aberdeen are heading in the right direction under McInnes.
He added: “There’s been a big improvement at the club. Derek has got them scoring goals but the main thing is he has got them extremely hard to beat.
“They are not losing goals and that is always important, especially if you want to go all the way in the cup. I can see no reason why they can’t do it.
“Derek is doing a great job here. He was unlucky at Bristol City when he was in England. They were on a bit of a downer at the time and he was unfortunate.
“You can see his ability in the job he is doing now. I think all managers have potential but it’s important to give them time to realise that potential. Given time, I am sure Derek will do very well.”
Holders Celtic were drawn away to Hearts, while Hibernian will travel to Dingwall to face Ross County.
Caley Thistle were handed a home tie against Morton but Aberdeen junior side Culter and Highland League side Fraserburgh both missed out on a bumper payday.
Culter will take on Dumbarton at Crombie Park should they win their replay at Berwick Rangers on Saturday, while Fraserburgh face a trip to either Stenhousemuir or Annan Athletic.
Scottish Cup special – Pages 54 and 55