My mum never misses a game but she was 2,500 miles away when Aberdeen won the cup – dumping Celtic left her in tears

Scottish Sun

2 days ago

Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window)
Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
ANN-MARIE DEVLIN rarely misses an Aberdeen game home, away or in Europe.
But last Saturday she flew out on a hen do instead of revelling in her son Nicky's Scottish Cup triumph at Hampden.
Sign up for the Celtic newsletter
Sign up
2
Nicky Devlin with the Scottish Cup trophy
Credit: Kenny Ramsay
2
Devlin celebrates cup final win with team-mates
Credit: Kenny Ramsay
The Dons defender revealed his dedicated mum has racked up tens of thousands of miles watching him over the years — but couldn't make the game last week to see him win the first honour of his 15-year career.
She jetted to Tenerife as part of his soon-to-be sister-in-law's hen party and was in the air during the clash with Celtic and only found out he'd become a Pittodrie legend in a tear-filled call when she landed.
Devlin, 31, said: 'My mum goes to pretty much all my games, but she missed the final.
'My brother Johnny gets married in the summer and his partner Kelsey was having her hen do last weekend.
'They flew out on Saturday afternoon, so she didn't know the score until she landed.
'They were in Tenerife, which is a four and a half hour flight, so when she got there she found out we'd won.
'She was very emotional, I spoke to her after and she was in floods of tears.
'I'm not sure she thought I was going to play since I've not been in the team much lately. If I'd been playing every week she might have stayed behind.
'She was telling me she was wishing she was here, but I'm sure she enjoyed herself over there with a few wines!
'It was an important event for the family, so she had to go. I'm sure she had a good time.
Aberdeen fans react to historic Scottish Cup win
'On Sunday my dad was there for the party, so he would have sent her plenty of videos, but I limited the contact a bit to make her feel a bit better.
'My dad still takes an amateur team, so my mum probably goes to more of our games. She was even at the European away games. They spend a lot of money travelling to watch me, so it's times like this which make it all worthwhile. It's a reward for them, too.
'Weekends like that one are what it's all about.'
Devlin lost his place in the Dons team earlier this season after being an ever-present early on under boss Jimmy Thelin.
He had only started three games since January, but the Swede pulled a shock by bringing him in to play as a left wing-back against Nicolas Kuhn then James Forrest.
Devlin managed to keep them quiet in a key role in the Dons' solid rearguard action.
However he admits he was dead on his feet by the time he came off with a minute of normal time left.
He said: 'I haven't played for a while, but when we got through the semi I had a feeling the manager would put me back in, with the way we were going to have to play it.
'I didn't expect it to be in that position, though!
How they rated
Dimitar Mitov - Saves from Callum McGregor and Alistair Johnston in the shootout plus denying Daizen Maeda late in regular time wrote him a place in Aberdeen's history books. Is now a legend. 10
Alfie Dorrington - Didn't know anything about it as Arne Engels' corner kick cracked off his shoulder before sneaking in. Luckless stuff for the defender, who'd started well and had Adam Idah's card marked. 7
Jack Milne - Shock inclusion as Jimmy Thelin moved to three at the back in a bid to outfox Rodgers. Was superb as part of their back three and showed he's got a big future. 8
Mats Knoester - The most experienced of Aberdeen's back three by far so was tasked with talking them through the afternoon and keeping them organised. Led by example throughout as the Dons dug in. 9
Alexander Jensen - Up against Maeda and kept the Japanese striker as quiet as anyone has throughout the first half here. Did deliver some good balls when he got high enough up. 9
Ante Palaversa - Asked to use his physical presence and cover the ground to block off Celtic's midfield from bombing forward - which he did. Slammed a superb spot kick high into the net. 8
Graeme Shinnie - Slotted back into the middle of the park as part of Thelin's tactical tinkering and brought the grit they needed in there. Great penalty in the shootout to win the cup. 9
Nicky Devlin - Brought back into the side as left wing-back in the Dons' new formation and did his job stopping Nicolas Kuhn cutting inside. Did well until running out of gas late on. 7
Leighton Clarkson - Normally Aberdeen's' creative spark but saw far too little of the ball to make an impact with waves of attack coming the other way. Second half free kick easily saved. 6
Topi Keskinen - Tasked with injecting pace into Aberdeen's rare attacks when they sprung forward but was unable to bring enough quality to the table to hurt the Hoops. Hooked for Pape Gueye. 5
Kevin Nisbet - Defended from the front as the Dons sat in for the first part of this game. Had a good chance from Leighton Clarkson's free kick but headed over. Fed on scraps. 6
Subs:
Pape Gueye (Keskinen 56) - Sparked the Dons into life with his pace and energy, turned the game. 7
Dante Polvara (Dorrington 79) - Replaced crocked Dorrington at the back. 7
Shayden Morris (Clarkson 79) - Caused Kasper Schmeichel's late OG leveller within seconds of coming on. 7
Oday Dabbagh (Nisbet 79) - Slammed his penalty in the top corner. 7
Jack MacKenzie (Devlin 89) - Will bow out a cup winner. 6
Kristers Tobers (Milne 93) - Replaced Milne in extra-time. 6
'It's difficult coming in when you've not played much, but when you're told you're playing in a final you're obviously delighted. I was shattered when I came off. I've never cramped up in my life, but both my calves were screaming.
'You can't be selfish in those situations, you don't want to make a mistake and it costs everyone.
'You have to think about the team more than yourself and I knew Jack MacKenzie was ready to come on in that position — and would probably do better than me anyway!'
Devlin, who made his Scotland debut last October, admits this has been the best and worst season of his life.
He said: 'It's so bizarre, the season has been mental.
'At one point it was the worst I've felt in my career because I wasn't playing. I found that really hard.
'But at the same time, it's also been the best season of my career because I've played for Scotland and now won a Scottish Cup for Aberdeen.
Aberdeen end 35 years of hurt as they lift the Scottish Cup in Celtic penalty thriller
'Now we're in the group stages of Europe too, and that only really started to sink in on the bus home.
'It'll makes things difficult playing Thursdays and Sundays, but we'll be better prepared for it this time. The manager will have everyone ready to go.
'The experience of two years ago will help us and the players the manager has signed, most have experience of Europe, so it's not a new thing for anyone.
'Hopefully what happened before can put us in a good position to compete.
'We don't just want to show up. We want to go into Europe and do well.'
Ex-Livingston defender Devlin was front and centre during the wild celebrations on Union Street on Sunday.
He said: 'The parade was amazing, so many people were there.
'I was delighted for Graeme Shinnie, too.
'He's lost a good few finals, including against Celtic, so he wanted it more than anyone. It was great to see him enjoying things the way he did.'
Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page