Best Save Ever from an Aberdeen goalkeeper:
I would like to begin this column by wishing Jamie and his lovely family the very best for Sunday. I was delighted to be asked to contribute in a small way to today’s festivities given the loyalty shown by Jamie over the past 10 years. Loyalty is a word not often used to describe the modern day player but in Jamie and team-mate Andrew Considine we have two players who epitomize the very meaning of the word. Jamie over the years has made some breathtaking saves, too many to describe on one page but for me his finest performance came against Dnipro in the Europa League 2nd leg back in October 2007. I watched from behind the sofa while at the same time marveling his performance as he made save after save which ultimately kept us in the game and helped us progress to the group stage. So with that in mind here’s a list of the greatest saves I have seen in my lifetime as a Dons supporter in no particular order:
Jim Leighton from Rangers Alan McDonald 1983 Scottish Cup Final – McDonald picked the ball up just outside the Dons box and left big Doug Rougvie for dead before unleashing a powerful left-footed shot which Jim acrobatically pushed round the post with his right hand.
Jim Leighton from Rangers Jim Bett 1983 Scottish Cup Final – in the same game as the match entered extra-time Rangers midfielder Jim Bett received a cheeky ball from the late Davie Cooper inside his own box, leaving Andy Watson in his wake he also unleashed a powerful left-footed shot which Jim pushed over the bar in dramatic style. We all know what happened next!
Theo Snelders penalty save from Celtic’s Anton Rogan 1990 Scottish Cup Final – as I said in Willie Miller’s greatest Aberdeen XI book this is the greatest save I have ever seen an Aberdeen goalkeeper make. It wasn’t just the save which was astonishing in its own right but the circumstances surrounding the event. His celebration in the immediate aftermath of pushing the ball round the post will forever remain with me.
Jamie from Dundee Utd’s Mark Wilson SPFL 2014 – as well as the Dnipro match this is right up there with one of Jamie’s greatest ever performances making save after save to deny Utd at Tannadice. Jamie made a handful of outstanding saves but the one that sticks out for me was from Mark Wilson when somehow Jamie was able to fingertip the ball at full stretch over the bar with his left hand!
Theo Snelders from Rangers Ally McCoist 1989 Skol Cup Final – deep into extra-time with the Dons leading 2-1 Rangers pushed up field in search of equalizer. Ray Wilkins delivered an inch perfect cross which was met by Ally McCiost whose header seemed destined for the back of the net until Theo quite brilliantly tipped the ball over the bar from point-blank range. It was the save of the match and ensured after two previous heart-breaking defeats against Rangers the Skol Cup was finally ours!
Jim Leighton’s double-save from Celtic’s Craig Burley and Jackie MacNamara in the first ever SPL season – the Dons welcomed Celtic to Pittodrie on the 16th August 1998. The Dons were leading 3-1 when skipper Derek Whyte brought down Paul Lambert in the penalty box. As Burley readied himself Jim screamed at him to “COME ON” Burley attempted to place the penalty to Jim’s left which he palmed away magnificently but straight into the path of Jackie MacNamara whose rebound was also superbly saved by Jim. This is up there for me as one of the best as Jim simply had the upper hand (excuse the pun) over both players and for his reaction when gathering the ball (punching the air with delight and screaming “YES”)
Bryan Gunn v Dundee 1986 Scottish Cup Semi-Final – a speculative Dundee shot deflected off Willie Miller and headed for the top corner. Bryan, already on the move had to change direction in an instant and somehow managed to finger-tip the ball over the bar. Sir Alex Ferguson came in at full-time and said “that save will win us the Cup” A few weeks later Bryan was unceremoniously dropped for the final by Sir Alex to be replaced by Jim Leighton!
To bring this column to its conclusion I wish nothing but good fortune for Jamie in the future, thank you for the saves, the great moments and more recently the wee moustache that graced your rugged good looks over the past few months!! Have a wonderful day! Stand Free!
