As a lifelong Aberdeen supporter defender Jack Milne insists it would be a “dream come true” to play in the Viaplay Cup final.
The 20-year-old has forced his way into contention to start against Rangers on Sunday with impressive performances since making his first team breakthrough.
Driven by a passion for the club Milne says “every time I wear the top I will give everything”.
He intends to deliver that complete commitment if given the nod in the final at Hampden.
Aberdeen are bidding to win silverware for the first time since lifting the League Cup in 2014.
Milne travelled down to Parkhead with his parents for that final – where manager Barry Robson was part of the winning team.
Now he hopes to realise a childhood dream by playing in a final for the club he loves – and winning.
Milne said: “It would be a dream come true to play in a cup final, especially at Hampden.
“In the semi-final (1-0 win against Hibs) I was meant to come on but Bojan (Miovski) scored, which changed things slightly!
“I’ve been been at Aberdeen since I was 11 and have always wanted to play for the club.
“I’ve got that hunger and determination to get in the team.
“Every time I wear the top I’ll give everything for it.”
‘I always believe in myself’
It has been a rapid rise for Milne in recent months.
He was pitched in for his first Aberdeen start in the 2-2 Europa Conference League draw with HJK Helsinki in Finland on November 30.
Milne impressed despite horrific weather conditions with heavy snow and temperatures plummeting to minus 17 due to the wind chill factor.
Boss Barry Robson started him again in the 2-1 win against Hearts and he retained that slot for the 2-0 win against Eintracht Frankfurt on Thursday.
Milne is confident that if he is chosen to start against Rangers he will rise to the challenge in the final.
He said: “I always believe in myself and know what I can do.
“I’ve got my opportunity now and hopefully I can keep going.
“Winning the final would be great for everyone, especially as it’s been so long.
“We know it’s going to be tough but we’ve got to believe in ourselves.
“I’m from Aberdeen and myself and my family are all big fans.
“I’ll have my mum, dad and brother all there at Hampden for the final.”
Watching the 2014 final with family
It is almost a decade since Aberdeen lifted silverware, when overcoming Inverness Caley Thistle in a penalty shoot-out in March 2014.
Milne was on trial with the Dons then and dreaming of joining the club he supports.
Fast forward almost 10 years and now he is dreaming of lifting a trophy.
He said: “I am a big Aberdeen fan and have been to plenty of finals, including the one we won years ago.
“For that final in 2014 I went down with my family, with my dad driving and myself in the back.
“I was on trial when they won in 2014 and signed just after that.
“I was on Union Street watching the open-top bus parade after the League Cup win.
“We were all there amid thousands and thousands of fans.
“It would be surreal to be a player now on that bus and hopefully we can make that happen.”
‘Pure excitement’ of European action
Last January Milne went out on a half-season loan to Kelty Hearts in League One.
As he approaches the new year the Aberdonian hopes to hit 2024 as a League Cup winner and first team regular.
Milne yet again impressed in the right wing-back role against German Bundesliga club Eintracht Frankfurt.
He played a key role in securing a clean sheet against an Eintracht Frankfurt side that had destroyed defending Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich 5-1 at the weekend.
Milne said: “Two European starts has been a dream come true.
“It’s been pure excitement.
“I didn’t have any family in Helsinki but my mum and dad go to most games, home and away.
“The way we’ve played in Europe, I think we deserved a result like the one against Eintracht Frankfurt.
“We’ve been competing against some of the best teams and we knew it was going to be tough against Frankfurt.
“Tactically we were bang on.
“We knew they’d beaten Bayern 5-1 and are a top, top team.
“Defensively we knew we had to be sound and stick to our game plan and we did that well.
“Fingers crossed we can replicate that on Sunday.
“We know the quality Rangers have.
“We’ve seen it time and time again.”
Robson’s final selection headache
Aberdeen boss Barry Robson made eight changes to his starting XI to face Eintracht Frankfurt.
Milne was one of only three players to retain his starting slot from the team that defeated Hearts 2-1 at Pittodrie.
Robson made the wholesale changes with the final in mind.
However the performance of the team against Eintracht Frankfurt has given the Dons manager a cup final selection headache.
Milne said: “He’ll go with the team he thinks is best to win the game.
“Hopefully we can get a result.
“Playing or not playing, we’re all in it together.
“We’re a tight squad.”
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