Spurs loanee argues Aberdeen won cup because they wanted it more

Glasgow Times

25-05-2025

The Aberdeen centre-half, who joined the Pittodrie club on loan from the English giants back in January, experienced a pang of jealousy as he watched Ange Postecoglou and his players receiving a heroes' welcome from their jubilant supporters live on television.
He more than made up for not being there yesterday afternoon, though, during the Dons' emotional open-topped bus parade through the streets of the Granite City with the Scottish Cup trophy.
'I obviously watched the Tottenham one the other day,' he said, 'A few of my mates were there and they said it was crazy. It would have been nice to experience that. But the Aberdeen one was just crazy too.
'There were so many people there, it was absolutely packed. I know it's been a long time since we've won this competition and hopefully we've given back to the fans and the city.'
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Dorrington, who was immense at the back during the cup final victory over Celtic at Hampden on Saturday, is unsure if he will be boarding the Aberdeen or the Spurs team bus next season.
But the 20-year-old is open-minded about his next move.
'Obviously, I love the city, the club, the staff and the players,' he said. 'I love Tottenham as well. They're kind of in charge of what I do. I'd be grateful if Aberdeen came back in for me, but it's all in Tottenham's hands.'
The England Under-19 internationalist, who has been a player at the Premier League club since he was 13 and who made his first team debut for them against Southampton back in December, revealed that Spurs officials had been in constant contact with him since he moved north and had been delighted at the success which he enjoyed.
'They've kept in touch the whole time,' he said. 'On Friday night and before the game, they were messaging me good luck. I think some of them watched the game. It's nice to know that I have the support from Tottenham and nice to know that I have the support from Aberdeen as well.'
Dorrington was unfortunate to put treble-chasing Celtic in front at Hampden on Saturday – a Cameron Carter-Vickers header at an Arne Engels corner glanced off his back and went into his own net off the inside of the post just before half-time.
But the defender, who had little difficulty adapting to manager Jimmy Thelin's new 3-4-3 formation, was always convinced that Aberdeen could recover from the setback and prevail in the Scottish Gas-sponsored competition for the first time in 35 years.
(Image: Jane Barlow - PA Wire) 'I was marking my man and looking at him,' he said. 'At the last minute last minute, I think it took a nick off someone. But I thought we were comfortable even though we were 1-0 down.
'They dominated the ball and got a lot of crosses in. But we felt comfortable all the time and trusted what the gaffer said. It may have seemed a bit hectic, but it just felt really comfortable.'
'You can talk about systems and formations and tactics. But I think it's just who wants it more, to be honest. Some of the boys are putting their bodies on the line, cramping up and still playing on. It just shows how much it means to us.
'There's always a chance in a game of football. They're Celtic. We had to respect them, but I don't think we ever feared them. Maybe the people not giving us a chance gave us a bit more motivation to win and prove them wrong.
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'I think we all just knew that it was our last game together as a group. People might move on. Obviously, for me, I knew this was the last game of my loan. I tried to go out with a bang.
'There was a lot of emotions in the game, but you have to stay emotionless. You've got a job to do. When you do your job, it gives you a chance. Obviously, like I said, a lot of people were doubting us. One per cent is still a chance. Anything can happen in the game of football.'
Wherever Dorrington ends up in future, he will always look back on his time with Aberdeen with great fondness as well as gratitude that he was able to take part in such a historic triumph.
'When I first came here, I wasn't really starting, but I think that's another learning thing,' he said. 'You have to support the boys when you're not playing. I was grateful for their trust in me and for the experiences I've gained. I'll never forget the state of them at the end of the final.
'I don't even know how many people there were there on Saturday. Around 50,000? When you're in the game, you obviously feel it, but you don't really recognise how big of an occasion it is.
'Maybe being from down south, it took me a while to realise that this is the Scottish version of the FA Cup. It's probably the same in size. When I came off and was looking around I was thinking, 'Wow,! I played in this?' I'm just grateful for the opportunity.'