The same situation. The same outcome. Aberdeen are back at the semi-final stage of the League Cup for the second year running and defender Mark Reynolds is determined to lead the Dons to the final once more.
Derek McInnes’ side have shown they are not prepared to relinquish their first trophy in 19 years without a struggle following a flawless run to the final four of this season’s competition.
As was the case last year, Aberdeen have not conceded a goal in the tournament and while the venue and opposition have changed, Reynolds insists his team’s hunger to make the final at Hampden in March is as strong as ever.
He said: “We are undefeated in this cup since the manager and Tony Docherty came in. It’s our trophy and we want to keep it. Since we beat St Johnstone in the semi-final a year ago the club has gone from strength to strength. We won the cup and as holders it is different situation.
“When we won last year we said we wanted to be in contention every year and did not want to experience this feeling once every four or five years.
“Regardless of where we are playing there is an expectation, but we are able to live up to that billing now. We know what it takes to win silverware and we want to do it again.”
Aberdeen’s route towards the final has been straightforward but they will be tested by Dundee United at Hampden today.
United reached a final of their own last season but their hopes of winning a trophy were dashed by St Johnstone in the Scottish Cup in May.
Reynolds believes the knowledge gained of getting across the line will stand his side in good stead for this afternoon’s big match.
He said: “We have learned to rise to the occasion in the last two years and as the occasion gets bigger, so has our performance.
“There are people who are waiting for us to fall but we will make them wait a while longer.
“The more we experience situations like this the better we are at coping with them. Winning the semi-final and then the cup, and then winning big games in Europe has given us that experience.
“Look at our starting 11 and while we’re all a year older we’re wiser and there are not too many players who are losing a yard in the team.
“We certainly feel we are in a stronger position than we were last year. Occasions like this are energy-sapping but we have the experience to cope with that now.
“The tough part is the wait for the whistle to go to start the game. Playing the game is where I can relax and enjoy it.
“We know it is a big game and we are going into it with huge expectation but we are used to that now.”