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Willo Flood

…”I played for a different team when I was six and then when I was seven, the Cherry Orchard manager approached me and I joined them. I was lucky as they are a great club. They have produced a lot of players over the years including Jonny Hayes and Adam Rooney, so they have done well for Aberdeen!

…”Dublin produces so many players – I think it is because of street football. A lot of people say that you need to get so many coaching hours into children, but we never got that when we were kids. We just played street football all the time. When you go to the streets of Dublin you used to see lots of kids playing football.

…”When I was growing up, our estate would play against other estates. There was always that competitive edge. That is why I maybe get still get aggressive on the pitch! There were no referees as well. We refereed the games ourselves, so inevitably a few punches would fly!

…”Growing up in Dublin was great. Dublin made me what I am today”.

…”I had a few offers, I was actually a decent player back then! I had an offer from Arsenal, Manchester United, Celtic, Liverpool, a good few. I don’t know where the Aberdeen scout was! The reason I signed for Manchester City was because they were in the Championship, they were a big club, but I thought I would have a chance of playing there. The only unfortunate thing for me was that when I went over there, they got promoted to the Premiership! At that time they started pumping a little bit if cash in, nothing like today’s money though. I was still able to make my debut under Kevin Keegan and I am very thankful to him. Without him, I would probably not be in the game today.”

The interview is well worth a read.

Also in this week’s programme:

Derek McInnes

The job now is to accumulate as many points as we can before we return here for the final game of the season against Motherwell. I think supporters will agree that the players have done them and the club proud this season, just as the support we have enjoyed has been terrific.

One of our big strengths at Aberdeen this season has been the unity throughout the club and the willingness to back each other every step of the way. The finishing line isn’t so far off now, so we need to maintain that unity to get ourselves over the line.

Peter Pawlett

The contrast between the two semi-finals is the opposite ends of the spectrum. That is how football is, the ups and the downs. I am still young but I have learnt that already. The highs and lows of football are unbelievable, you really do go from one extreme to the other. It is something as a player you have to deal with.

When you suffer a low, it makes you more determined to put things right, to work hard and to achieve things in the game. We have that chance in the remaining games by finishing second in the league.

Russell Anderson

From our point of view, the positive thing is that our destiny is in our own hands. If we can win our final four games, then we will finish as runners up behind Celtic and given the difference between them and the rest of the division, I think that would be an achievement to be proud of, along with winning the League Cup.

There’s a lot more work to do if we are going to grab that second place and the spot in the Europa League that goes with it, but everybody here at Pittodrie is desperate to make the most of the opportunity while it’s there.

Richard Gordon

There has been much debate about the shortlist revealed by PFA Scotland from which the players’ Player of the Year will be selected.

From a Dons point of view, much of the discussion has, naturally, focused on the absence of Aberdeen stars and I can understand why many believe this to be an injustice. It has however been an unusual season, one which has seen many more strong candidates than is the norm, and I believe that votes have been spread more thinly as a result.

Chris Crighton

As Aberdeen fans, it has been very interesting to observe the post- Fergie slump of Manchester United. More particularly, the reaction to it and the apportionment of blame.

Former Players

This weeks FP’s feature is on one the greatest players to play for the club.

Alec Young played a pivotal role in the Dons’ first championship success in 1955. Young was the central figure in the famed half-back line of Allister, Young and Glen of that period that formed a formidable defensive and midfield combination. Alec became well known for his famed sliding tackle which he developed into almost an art form with his own unique style. He made 168 appearances for Aberdeen between 1950-58.

Also in the programme are all the usual features, columnists and extensive history section.

RedMatchday magazine is on sale from in and around the ground on Saturday and is also available from the Pittodrie Club shop priced at £3.

If you cannot get to the game you can buy a copy online by clicking here