Between 80,000 to 100,000 Aberdeen supporters came to the city centre this afternoon to watch the Aberdeen FC Scottish Cup open-top bus parade by the first team squad after yesterday’s historic victory at Hampden.

The Red Army lined the streets to watch the parade as it made its way to the Town House for a balcony appearance by the manager, chairman and players with the Lord Provost of Aberdeen, Dr David Cameron.

Led by Texo Deeside Caledonia pipe band, the parade for the first ever time went a different route. The bus started at Albyn Place, travelling down Union Street, the onto Union Terrace, Schoolhill, and Broad Street going past Marischal College before finishing at the Town House.

The Lord Provost said: “The Dons supporters created a fantastic atmosphere as the bus slowly made its way through the city centre – the streets were turned into a sea of red and white.

“The fans were singing and playing drums and, along with the pipe band, made the event into something very special for everyone.

“It was a fantastic and emotional occasion and a very fitting way to mark the Dons winning the Scottish Cup.”

Aberdeen skipper Graeme Shinnie spoke to RedTV at the Town House.

“It was incredible.

“I used to walk these streets as a little boy and to see them lined up with Aberdeen fans cheering the team, and to see this amount of people, as I held the trophy, it really is a dream come true.

“It is days like this in football, you will have these memories forever.

“The parade was surreal. It was never ending. It just seemed like there were more and more people as we went on. I told these boys this is what you can get if you win silverware for this club. I saw it in 2014 from the opposite side when I was playing at Inverness CT. When I saw it that day, I thought I want a bit of that. It is what I wanted when I came here, I made it clear I wanted silverware but as time went on, I thought it was maybe not meant to be for me. In life you have to keep going, keep working hard, and eventually we have got here and it has been all worthwhile.

“2017 (Scottish Cup final) was a tough one. Losing in the last minute, and you go through all these low point in football, you have to take them on the chin, and then yesterday was our day. All these heartaches build you up for this moment and it makes it all worthwhile.

“We had a game plan. We knew that we had to do something different from the games recently against Celtic. In the first half I thought we sat in as we wanted to be hard to beat. No team really had any chances, but we lost a goal from a set-piece which was disappointing and went in 1-0 down.

“It did not derail us. It did not cause us any problems. We still knew what we had to do. We did not want to lose our shape in the second half too early because there was plenty of time. As the game went on, we wanted to get more fire power on, more pace from the attacking players and have a real go at it.

“I think the plan worked. We then pushed a bit more and as the game went on, we then retreated a bit and it looked like penalties was coming. And the boys had the composure to score their penalties and win it.

“Back in 2014 when Aberdeen beat Inverness on penalties, I did not take a penalty that day and I regretted it. I hated not taking one. Since that day, I have always said that I will always take a penalty. Because I am the captain, I always want to lead by example by taking the first one. I don’t know why, but I had a confidence yesterday, I don’t know what it was. I had no self-doubt in my head. I knew where it was going. It was just a case of executing it. The other boys’ penalties were amazing.

“In Friday in training, Dimi saved no penalties. And I had a go at him. And I was winding him up! But the boys penalties, even in training were very good. And Dimi has been good at penalties this season and I had a confidence in him, as well as the penalty takers. I just a feeling that this was our time and we are going to do it.

“When it happened, it was just a feeling of sheer relief and enjoyment.

“I can’t wait for a rest! It has been a mentally draining season. There have been highs, lows, it has been a roller coaster. I will rest up with the family, have a bit of time off, and get ready to do it all over again.”