This Thursday’s RedMatchday Issue 07 has a special feature on the 1976 League Cup success as we celebrate the 40th anniversary.

The programme team in depth look back at the Dons run the final including an incredible win over Rangers in the semi’s. They retell the story of the final at Hampden against Celtic as well as the homecoming. Richard Gordon gives a fans perspective on the final and we also take a look at what else was happening in the world back in the Autumn of '76.

A major cup success seemed well beyond Aberdeen following their troubled conclusion to their first season in the Premier League in 1975.76. Avoiding a possible relegation on the final day suggested a time of consolidation. However with manager Ally MacLeod around, he was determined to keep his promise to take a major trophy to Pittodrie in his first year with the Dons.

SECTION 2 Aberdeen manager Ally MacLeod had strengthened his side considerably in the close season. At the end of the season he brought back Aberdeen legend Joe Harper in a £50,000 deal from Hibernian. Also arriving were Stuart Kennedy from Falkirk (£25,000), Dom Sullivan from Clyde (£25,000) as well as back up keeper Ally McLean. Aberdeen were drawn in Section 2 along with St Mirren, Ayr United and Kilmarnock in what would involve lengthy away trips to all three opponents. Ayr and Kilmarnock were both Premier League sides while St Mirren were an emerging side with a young Alex Ferguson at the helm as they were preparing for a place in the top flight…..

THE QUARTER FINAL The general belief was that Aberdeen were given a favourable draw when they came up against lowly Stirling Albion in the quarter finals. With two matches to play, Aberdeen were overwhelming favourites to reach the last four. In the first leg at Pittodrie it was Aberdeen who dominated possession against a side that defended in depth….

THE SEMI FINAL Jocky Scott emerged as the Aberdeen hero on the night as he perhaps played his finest hour for the club as Aberdeen hammered Rangers 5-1 in what was one of the Ibrox clubs worst defeats since the Dons trounced them 6-0 in a Scottish Cup semi final at the same venue in 1954. Back then it was big Joe O’Neil who was the Aberdeen hat trick hero. In 1976 it was former Dundee and Scotland international Jocky Scott who was the Rangers tormentor in chief…                     THE FINAL There was great excitement in Aberdeen leading up to the final. The Dons were in great form and having already beaten Celtic at Pittodrie in the league, hopes were high that Aberdeen would end their 21-year wait to lift the League Cup. It was six years since Aberdeen had reached a major final and there was a strange irony ahead of the 1976 clash with Celtic. In March 1970 the Dons paid Dundee a record £50,000 for Steve Murray after they had beaten Kilmarnock to reach the cup final. Murray had played in the other semi final for Dundee against Celtic so he was cup-tied for the final. Fast forward six years and Aberdeen’s Jim Shirra was in a similar position.

Aberdeen paid £25,000 to Falkirk for the midfielder in October 1976. Having played for Falkirk in an earlier round he had to sit out the big day, after making a big impression since he came into the side. The irony did not stop there. In 1970 Martin Buchan was the 21-year-old new captain of the Dons only weeks before the final. In 1976 Willie Miller, also 21, was installed as the new Dons skipper. Both were also seen as young prospects in that ‘sweeper’ role. Miller was desperate to lead the Dons to success but admitted the league title was the one he wanted; “That’s the one I really want. To win the league means that a team has had to show their mettle over a whole season and also win most of their matches. That is what I want for Aberdeen. Celtic and Rangers are not as strong as they were while we have improved a lot. It is important to take each match as it comes, and win it. Hopefully that will bring us the rewards we feel we can achieve. I am confident we can beat Celtic, sure it will be tough as they are a great side but we won’t be overawed and will play with no fear. We have a young side but that can work in our favour as they can express themselves in the proper way.” Willie was asked if there were any additional pressures on him; “I gave out some complimentary tickets before the game and I pick up the cup after it, that’s’ about it.” …..

Also in a special league cup edition of RedMatchday; interviews with Graeme Shinnie and Niall McGinn, we have a feature on the other players to have scored 50 league goals for the Dons; plus some other league cup articles as well as the usual columns.   RedMatchday Issue 07 is available from sellers in and around the ground. There will be copies available to buy in the club shop plus you can buy all the AFC programmes online by clicking here

Also in a special league cup edition of RedMatchday; interviews with Graeme Shinnie and Niall McGinn, we have a feature on the other players to have scored 50 league goals for the Dons; plus some other league cup articles as well as the usual columns.   RedMatchday Issue 07 is available from sellers in and around the ground. There will be copies available to buy in the club shop plus you can buy all the AFC programmes online by clicking here