History beckons at Hampden, but for who?
Andy Considine hopes it will be Aberdeen and believes most of Scottish football will be rooting for the Dons as they try to upset the odds and end Celtic’s treble dream at the national stadium.
With one game remaining Aberdeen face the considerable task of achieving what every other club has failed to do this season in Scotland – beat the Hoops.
It’s a challenge which the Aberdeen defender knows will not be easy, but does not subscribe to the belief an Aberdeen win is Mission: Impossible.
He said: “It’s going to be a tough job, but it would be good for Scottish football if we prevented that happening.
“Everybody has seen this season that, with their resources, Celtic are way ahead of everybody else.
“There’s a perception that if nobody lays a glove on them, it will reflect badly on the rest of Scottish football. I’ve felt we’ve always been quite close, although I know sometimes the scoreline says different.
“That is frustrating because I feel we’ve been very close to them – especially down at Parkhead when we lost 1-0.
“It would be special to beat Celtic in the final – and I’m sure every other team in Scotland is hoping we can end their run as well.
“So there are a few things added to what is already a huge occasion for both clubs.
“It would be great to go and win the Scottish Cup, but to end their run would be great too and something we could be rightfully proud of if we did it.”
It is 27 years since the Dons won the Scottish Cup and 17 since they last took part the final, but Derek McInnes’ squad has been to the national stadium for one final already this season.
The Hoops won the League Cup back in November in convincing style, but the Dons enjoyed success in 2014, winning the League Cup final on penalties against Caley Thistle.
That experience is something Considine hopes to draw on for Saturday’s game and while he was a member of the trophy-winning team of three years ago, the chance to repeat the feat at the home of Scottish football would eclipse the 2014 success.
He said: “A lot of us haven’t won anything at Hampden. Yes, we won the League Cup, but that was at Parkhead. We’ve not had that day at Hampden, which we would all love.
“So fingers crossed we can get the result.”
Aberdeen have already proven their quality being the strongest challengers to Celtic on all fronts.
Following Saturday’s cup final a changing of the guard will begin in earnest with midfielders Ryan Jack, Niall McGinn and Peter Pawlett all moving on to pastures new while defender Ash Taylor is expected to join them.
Considine, however, believes the nucleus of McInnes’ squad remains intact and reinforcements, including Caley Thistle midfielder Greg Tansey, will ensure Aberdeen remain just as competitive next term.
He said: “The players have been brilliant this season. There was a lot of talk before a ball was kicked about Hearts, and with Rangers coming back, that we’d be pushed aside.
“But the manager has kept everybody focused, we’ve pushed on with the job and shown we are the second best team in Scotland, which is fantastic. We’re not going to let that up.
“Whoever leaves and comes in this summer, I’m sure we’ll be as strong.”