The RedMatchday team look back at the Dons record against Dundee in the Scottish Cup

It was in February 1908 that Aberdeen first met Dundee in the Scottish Cup.

The Black & Gold’s of Aberdeen had never made any kind of impression in the national tournament in their previous four years in existence. Hopes were high in the Aberdeen camp after they finally disposed of Dundee in the second round. It took three games to settle the tie — in those days there was no means of completing cup-ties and after the Dons drew 0-0 at Pittodrie and 2-2 at Dens Park a week later the tie was eventually settled at Hampden on 19^th February.
 
Despite both side having to travel a considerable distance, the neutral venue of Hampden was well populated. It was a game in which Aberdeen’s first Scottish international, Willie Lennie excelled. It was all the more remarkable when it emerged after the game that Lennie played in the tie despite being ordered by his doctor not to! The Aberdeen winger was desperate to play however and he even informed Aberdeen manager Jimmy Philip that he was clear to play. Lennie took a risk and it paid off after he scored in the Dons 3-1 win. Aberdeen went on to reach their first Scottish Cup semi final that season before going down 1-0 to Celtic at Pittodrie.
 
Dundee had been around a long time before Aberdeen and were usually installed as favourites when the teams met in the cup but that was soon to change.
 
The 1921 meeting apart when Dundee avenged their 1908 defeat after another third meeting, it was not until 1952 and eight further cup-ties before Dundee savoured another success over the Dons.

Despite Aberdeen being in the relative doldrums following their golden era in the 50’s the only meeting against Dundee resulted in a 3-1 Pittodrie win in 1958.
 
Some nine years later it Aberdeen who began their campaign in 1966.67 in impressive style with a 5-0 rout at Dens Park. More than 11,000 made the trip down to the game from the north and the huge backing the Dons received from their support was rewarded with a vintage display from ‘Jinky’ Smith. The Dons inside forward scored twice as he mesmerised the Dens defence. Dave Johnston and Jimmy Wilson were the other Aberdeen scorers. Aberdeen went on reach the final that year, going down 2-0 to Celtic at Hampden.
 
In 1974 ago it was Dundee who won 2-0 at Pittodrie on what was a historic occasion. A bumper crowd in excess of 23,000 turned out for what was the first ever official Sunday game to be played in Scotland. Former Aberdeen chief Dave Johnston was in the victorious Dundee side that day.
 
It may have taken Dundee many years to record their first cup success at Pittodrie but the Dark Blues won again at Pittodrie three years later in a 2-1 replay win. It was a night to forget for the Dons and the impression made by a young Gordon Strachan in the Dundee side did not go unnoticed at Pittodrie. The ‘wee man’ was inspirational and several months later he was to sign for the Dons.
 
Aberdeen enjoyed their longest unbeaten run in the cup when they won the trophy three times in succession between 1982-1984. During that impressive spell Dundee were defeated twice. In February 1983 a 19,000 attendance at Pittodrie saw a Neil Simpson goal decide the tie while a year later the sides clashed in the semi final at Tynecastle. On that occasion goals from Ian Porteous and Gordon Strachan gave Aberdeen a comfortable win and a final date with Celtic.

Dundee seemed to be the Dons lucky charm in the 80’s—when Aberdeen claimed their fourth cup win in five years in 1986, Dundee were beaten in the quarter final. It was not that easy for the Dons who had to struggle through in a Pittodrie replay that went to extra time. A late Peter Weir goal eventually broke the Dundee resolve.
 
In 2003 the sides met in the Scottish Cup at Dens Park when Dundee scored a deserved victory over the Dons at Dens in a 2-0 win.
 
Ten years ago it took Aberdeen two games to edge Dundee out of the Scottish Cup. In a tough first game at Pittodrie before a crowd in excess of 11,000, Dundee survived after Fotheringham was sent off and four yellow cards saw the Dens Park side delighted to take the Dons down to Dens for a replay. Aberdeen showed their cup spirit in the return by winning a more entertaining and open clash with a 3-2 win. Aberdeen captain Russell Anderson and U-20 coach Paul Sheerin were in the Aberdeen side that evening.  
 
Aberdeen v Dundee | Scottish Cup Record