If Aberdeen need any inspiration going into Sunday, they only need to look back at the 1976 League Cup campaign….

Aberdeen legend Bobby Clark was never one for dreaming but on the eve of the Dons 1976 League Cup Final meeting with Celtic, the former Dons keeper had a premonition; “Big Davie was my roommate on that trip and I told him that I had a dream that he would come on and score the winning goal in the final. I am not sure whether I had actually dreamed he would do that or that I was feeling really positive about his role. In any case when ‘Big Red’ came off the bench at Hampden I made sure I shouted to him. Minutes later Davie slotted the ball past Celtic keeper Peter Latchford to score the goal that won us the cup. It was an incredible feeling. I hugged Davie after the game and we had a right laugh about my dream.” That win was the Dons first in the League Cup for 21 years and the success provided a massive boost for the Dons under new manager Ally MacLeod. It was under MacLeod that Aberdeen struggled in the first ever season of the Premier League in 1975.76. The new set up of only ten teams had an initial casualty rate of two sides being relegated. When Ally MacLeod took over in November 1975 he promised that he would deliver a major trophy to Aberdeen within a year. Not many who watched Aberdeen struggle to save themselves from a first ever relegation in April 1976 would have believed him. It was on the final day of the season that the Dons just managed to stay in the top flight. However the seeds of success had already been sown some weeks earlier. MacLeod pulled of a masterstroke by taking Joe Harper back ‘home’ to Pittodrie at the end of March when he paid £50,000 for his services. However Joe was not signed in time to play that season so had to content himself by scoring for fun in the reserves.

It soon became clear to MacLeod that he needed to freshen up the side so he set about putting his own mark on the team by taking in Dom Sullivan from Clyde, Stuart Kennedy from Falkirk, Ally MacLean from Ayr United and of course a rejuvenated Joe Harper for the new 1976.77 season. With only some Anglo Scottish Cup ties behind them, the Dons went into the new season in Section 2 of the League Cup and were in a tough group along with Kilmarnock, Ayr United and St Mirren. Only the Paisley side were not in the top flight back then but they were an emerging force and were soon to become a Premier side after appointing a young Alex Ferguson as their manager.

Nevertheless Aberdeen had high hopes of doing well and they got their season off to a winning start with a 2-0 win over Kilmarnock at Pittodrie. Such was the delight at the return of Joe Harper, the Dons record scorer was appointed captain for the day and he celebrated his return by heading the opening goal in only four minutes. When Arthur Graham slotted the ball past Jim Stewart in 27 minutes, it provided Aberdeen with the ideal start to the group. Four days later Aberdeen came up against a stubborn St Mirren side and eventually won 3-2 after a Hislop goal in 61 minutes made for a frantic conclusion to the game. A young Billy Stark came close for St Mirren in the final minutes. That win put Aberdeen clear at the top of the section and they confirmed their favourite’s status with a 1-0 win over Ayr United at Pittodrie. Once again it took another Joe Harper penalty in 63 minutes to secure the victory. On the 25th August Aberdeen confirmed their qualification in style with a 4-0 win over St Mirren at Pittodrie. Once again Joe Harper was at his best and his two goals meant he had scored five from the opening four ties. In the next tie with Aberdeen already through they drew 1-1 at Ayr United, and had Joe Harper not missed from close range in the last minute the Dons 100% record would have been intact. In the final group match Aberdeen suffered their first defeat in a 2-1 loss at Kilmarnock. The Dons seemed to lack motivation for the tie but once again Harper scored which meant he had netted in every one of the qualifying ties. Joe recalled; “Coming back to Aberdeen was a fantastic move for me and I felt that I had to do something pretty quick to make sure Aberdeen were back up their challenging. It was a terrible time watching the boys struggle at the end of the previous season so I was more determined than ever to get back amongst the goals. The League Cup section was ideal for me and it got the side off to the great start we all wanted.”

When the quarter final draw was made it seemed a kind one for the Dons as they came up against Second Division side Stirling Albion, managed by Alex Smith. The two-legged tie opened at Pittodrie where once again it was Joe Harper who saved the day. Despite intense pressure throughout, the Dons could not break down their defensive visitors and all they had to show was Harper’s 65th minute goal when he latched on to a header from Ian Fleming to score. Aberdeen failed to impress in the return tie and were shocked to go down 1-0 after extra time. Even Joe Harper could not rescue the Dons who struggled in the rainstorm and were beaten by Gray’s goal in 50 minutes. Back then in the days of two-legged ties and no penalty shoot outs, a third game was required to settle the tie. With neither club agreeing to toss a coin for choice of venue, the League decided that the replay would take place at Dens Park. The Dons playing in their unfamiliar yellow admiral kits went on to win with relative ease in a 2-0 win. In those days it was the same referee that would see any cup-tie to its conclusion and Eddie Pringle took charge of the teams for the third time in three weeks. Bobby Clark recalled the third game at Dens Park; “We struggled against them down in Stirling but we were always confident of going through. Dens Park suited us as the wide open spaces gave us more of an advantage to get in behind them. When Jock scored early on we were in no doubt we would go through to the semi finals.” Despite Aberdeen struggling against Stirling, they had made a sensational start to the season and by the time they came up against Rangers in the semi final at Hampden, the Dons were sitting at the top of the league and MacLeod’s trophy promise was becoming a reality.

The acid test of the ‘new’ Aberdeen under MacLeod would come in the semi final against rangers at Hampden. The yardstick for any successful Aberdeen side was how well they fared with facing the Old Firm in Glasgow. It was no different in 1976 as Aberdeen had to overcome the usual cynical jibes from the media. Rangers at that time were treble winners the previous season and despite Aberdeen being an emerging force and top of the league, they were still not expected to reach the final. Eleven days earlier Rangers had beaten Aberdeen 1-0 at Ibrox to dent the Dons championship hopes, but after Jocky Scott opened the scoring in the semi final after only two minutes the tone of the game was set. Rangers battled back and levelled the tie through McDonald in 15 minutes. Jocky Scott takes up the story; “Rangers down through the years usually started favourites in every game, no matter how well we were playing. I was recalled to the side that night and we got off to a perfect start when I scored early on. Dom Sullivan crossed the ball and I got in ahead of my marker and scored. After rangers equalised we were still confident. My second goal was easy enough after Arthur Graham had dribbled his way into the box. The third goal was a free kick routine we had worked on in the training ground. It was played in behind the Rangers wall and I got in behind them to score my third. However the best goal of the night came from Drew (Jarvie). His volley from the edge of the box screamed into the top corner.” Aberdeen went on to sweep Rangers aside in a whirlwind 5-1 win that typified the enthusiastic and free flowing approach under Ally MacLeod. Joe Harper was among the goals again but even he was for once overshadowed by Scott’s superb hat trick; “Jocky was inspired that night. We were all really desperate to get at Rangers and prove we were the better side. We knew if we could get at their defence then we could take advantage and it all clicked for us that night.” MacLeod embraced assistant George Murray at full time as Aberdeen confirmed their place in the final in style. Rangers were humiliated as the slick Dons exposed their deficiencies and used the large Hampden surface to their advantage.

Cup fever swept Aberdeen as they travelled down for the final against Celtic. The Dons party left for the game on the Thursday afternoon from Pittodrie. Before they left manager MacLeod was clearing a spot in the boardroom for the trophy; such was his confidence. The team were staying at the McDonald Hotel outside Glasgow. The Friday morning before the final was a relaxing time as the players prepared to take on a Celtic side that were appearing in their 13th consecutive League Cup Final. In contrast Aberdeen were appearing for the first time since 1955. On the way to the stadium on match day, MacLeod was up to his usual tricks again as he spotted the Celtic bus at a roundabout en route to Hampden. The Aberdeen manager instructed the bus driver to speed up considerably to make sure the Dons bus got their ahead of their rivals. “Ally was always like that; trying to get one over any opponents,” Bobby Clark recalled. “He sensed that we may have been apprehensive so to do things like that added as a motivation tool as well as bringing some light relief. It was classic MacLeod.”

A 20,000 strong Red Army made their way down to the final and were in good voice throughout. As heavy rain made conditions difficult, it was Celtic who gained the initiative in fortuitous circumstances. After 11 minutes, Drew Jarvie was easing Celtic danger man Kenny Dalglish away from goal when suddenly the Celtic man dropped to the ground. Referee Paterson pointed to the spot amid disbelief from the Aberdeen players and the vast majority of the crowd. Dalglish gave Clark no chance from the kick to give Celtic a lead they hardly deserved. That setback only mad the Dons more determined and they hit back in 24 minutes with a goal of true simplicity and beautifully created. Arthur Graham began the move with a trademark run down the wing. His deep cross found Joe Harper at the far post unmarked. Harper headed the ball back across goal and Drew Jarvie was on hand to give Latchford no chance from six yards. It was no more than Aberdeen deserved as they went on to front it up against a Celtic side that was backed by the majority of the noisy crowd. It took a marvellous defensive display from the Dons to more than hold their own against the frequent Celtic attacks. Don’s defender Billy Williamson had the task of keeping Celtic wingers Bobby Lennox and Paul Wilson quiet; “In the second half they came at us with real pressure and we had to withstand that. Willie (Miller) was immense and we drew inspiration from him as we knew if we could hang in there then we had a great chance.”

Bobby Clarks agreed; “Willie Miller came of age that day; he was outstanding and as captain he led us to a great victory. It was very much like what Martin Buchan did for us in the 1970 Scottish Cup Final. In that second half we came under intense pressure and by the time we got to extra time we knew we could do it. Celtic had thrown everything at us and we stood up to them. Enter big Davie to make history.” It was indeed Davie Robb who was one of the more experienced Aberdeen players at that time who came on as a substitute and made Clarks’ dream come true. Three minutes into extra time Robb popped up at the back post to slip the ball under Celtic keeper Latchford from close range to put Aberdeen ahead for the first time. With weary legs and big hearts the Dons once more stood firm against the expected Celtic onslaught. In the closing minutes a break from Aberdeen saw Joe Harper hit the post; seconds later referee Paterson blew for full time. The scenes of joy in the Hampden rain were all from the men in red as MacLeod and the Aberdeen bench joined their team mates on the pitch. Aberdeen captain Willie Miller led his tired team up the stairs to receive the League Cup; the first of many for the new Aberdeen skipper. On the Sunday afternoon an estimated 50,000 lined the streets of Aberdeen along with another 25,000 at Pittodrie as the victorious team made their way through the city on an open-topped bus. Semi final hero Jocky Scott declared that win in 1976 was a turning point for Aberdeen; “That win gave the club belief that they could compete and defeat the Old Firm in Glasgow. I think it was a real turning point. From that position of strength Aberdeen went on to win major trophies more frequently. There was great spirit about the team back then and there were some very good players.”

That win in 1976 also carried with it automatic entry into European football as a new era at Pittodrie was about to begin.