Latest news with #1990:TheLegendsReturn
Press and Journal
19-05-2025
- Sport
- Press and Journal
EXCLUSIVE: Aberdeen legend Charlie Nicholas explodes 1990 Scottish Cup final Celtic myth - 'I hadn't agreed'
Aberdeen legend Charlie Nicholas has exploded the myth he had already agreed to sign for Celtic before facing the Parkhead club in the 1990 Scottish Cup final. It is widely believed Nicholas had settled on a move back to his boyhood Hoops before the final showdown at Hampden 35 years ago. However, Nicolas has revealed to the Press and Journal this was not the case – as he was seriously considering an overseas move after a number of French clubs made an approach to sign him. And the goalscoring great had always wanted to play in the French top-flight. The only thing which was certain was the Scottish Cup final would be Nicholas' last game for Aberdeen. He scored his spot-kick in the 9-8 penalty shoot-out win to secure the cup – the last time the Dons lifted the trophy. Ultimately Nicholas did join Celtic that summer, but it was far from the formality many believed. With the Celtic link public, Nicholas admits scoring the high-pressure spot kick was one of the proudest moments of his career. Nicholas will return to the Granite City on Thursday for '1990: The Legends Return' at the Music Hall with fellow legends of the Scottish Cup-winning team. He will appear with Alex McLeish, Hans Gilhaus, Theo Snelders and Brian Irvine (details of an exclusive discount code for the show below). Nicholas said: 'It was weird as I hadn't agreed totally to join Celtic. 'They were in negotiations with my agent about different things. 'However, I was looking at playing abroad. 'I had been approached by a couple of teams from France and I had always fancied going to France. 'By the final, I hadn't made my mind up. 'I have to be honest – I knew Aberdeen were a better team than Celtic were at that stage. 'What I did know is that I was leaving Aberdeen. That decision had been made. 'I knew Celtic was a prospect potentially as we were looking to settle down and build a family. 'Not just my family, but my in-laws were all mad Celtic fans so the pressure was on me a little bit.' The capture of Nicholas in a £400,000 transfer from Arsenal at New Year 1988 was a stellar, statement signing by Aberdeen boss Ian Porterfield. Nicholas was an established Scotland international when Aberdeen brought him to Pittodrie. In the 1989-90 season, he was a key part in the side who won the League Cup and Scottish Cup double. He says stepping up for the spot-kick was a 'mad moment' where he was on his own – and no-one could help him. The 63-year-old said: 'Yes, potentially I was going back to Celtic, but when the final came that was not in my head… until I had to take a penalty – then it is in your head a little bit. 'It wasn't so much the prospect of going back to Celtic. It was probably the Celtic fans themselves. 'There was a lot of emotion in the ground when I was stepping up. 'I was also taking a penalty against my best pal throughout my time at Celtic, Pat Bonnar. 'There are mad moments in your world when no-one can help you and you are absolutely on your own. 'And that was that moment for me. 'Fortunately, it was a major moment as well.' Nicholas stepped up for a nerve-wracking fifth penalty of the shoot-out, which had effectively reached sudden death. The teams were tied at 3-3 as Dariusz Wdowczyk (Celtic) and Brian Grant (Aberdeen) had failed to net their spot-kicks. Nicholas, who had scored 13 goals that season, slammed home his penalty. He said: 'Scoring the penalty didn't win us the cup, but there was a sense of relief in my own body and my mind, that says I knew I had done the right thing. 'Of course I wanted to score – it made no difference that it was Celtic. 'I was a professional and was getting paid by Aberdeen fans. 'Aberdeen fans were brilliant with me and it was only fitting that I should pay them the best compliment I could by scoring. 'I can genuinely say it is as proud a moment as I have ever felt when we did the open–top tour to parade the cup to the town hall. 'The cheers I got from the Aberdeen fans that day said: 'We know you are a Celtic fan, but we truly respect what you had to go through and we felt for you.' 'They felt the emotion, Celtic fans felt the emotion – but no one could help me.' Only 10 days before the Scottish Cup final, boss Alex Smith fielded a young team in a league match at Parkhead. The Dons battered Celtic 3-1 with teenagers Graham Watson and Eoin Jess (two) scoring. Nicholas said: 'That young team were brilliant – Eoin Jess, Scott Booth and the other boys 'All the boys who were expected to play in the final were looking at each other, thinking: 'Oh my god. Maybe they should play that team!' 'It did put a bit of pressure on us as we became favourites. 'Very rarely do you ever go to Glasgow to face one of the big two as a favourite.' That 1990 triumph was the last time Aberdeen won the Scottish Cup. Nicholas accepts the odds are against Jimmy Thelin's Dons ending that 35-year drought at Hampden on Saturday. Aberdeen are now 30 games without a win in all competitions against Celtic, dating back to May 2018. The Reds were hammered 5-1 at Pittodrie by treble chasing Celtic last week. In the League Cup semi-final at Hampden earlier this season, the Hoops crushed Aberdeen 6-0. Nicholas insists it is vital the Reds go into the final with no fear. He said: 'I was up for the Hall of Fame event and met Thelin. 'He took his punishment the last time they went to Hampden to face Celtic. 'It took him and the team quite a bit of time to come out of that. 'Celtic are a winning machine now and are used to overpowering teams. 'If this Aberdeen team go in with any fear, they will get exposed. 'They can't play a bravado card by saying we are up for this – of course, you are up for it. 'It is a Scottish Cup final and a wonderful opportunity. 'If you make one tiny mistake this Celtic team can kill you. 'And if they go in front they are liable to kill you again.' Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers left out a number of first-team starters for the 5-1 win at Pittodrie. Japanese forward Daizen Maeda was left out of the squad at Pittodrie, but Celtic still ran riot. Maeda was recently awarded Scotland's Player of the Year award after a stunning season where he has netted 34 goals so far. Nicholas said: 'Thelin as to get the balance right. 'Celtic are strong favourites, but Thelin will be looking at ways to block and shut out Maeda. 'Also they have to handle the wide men to allow their midfield to compete. 'Limiting Callum McGregor is also key to not making them play. 'Aberdeen have nothing to lose because everyone is suggesting Celtic are strong favourites. 'Aberdeen must embrace that rather than be concerned about it. 'They train everyday to get this moment and this might be the day it turns. 'Celtic this season have not been as good defensively – but is all about how you stop that pace and movement upfront. 'If Aberdeen go in with fear, they will lose.'
Daily Record
18-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Alex McLeish reveals Aberdeen Scottish Cup trophy lift warning from Willie Miller as he delivers message to Thelin's men
The Dons head to Hampden on Saturday looking to end their long way to get their hands on the famous old trophy Alex McLeish was warned off the iconic Willie Miller trophy lift the last time Aberdeen got their hands on the Scottish Cup. Jimmy Thelin 's side head to Hampden to take on Celtic next weekend, looking to end the Dons' 35 year wait to get their hands back on the cup. McLeish was the last Aberdeen skipper to get his hands on it when he led Alex Smith and Jocky Scott's team to a dramatic penalty shootout win over Celtic. 'Big Eck' revealed that his former captain and legendary Dons' defensive partner, Miller, had warned him off copying his now famous, one-handed trophy celebration. McLeish said: 'I couldn't have copied Willie and put the outstretched arms because he'd claimed he had copyrighted it. Willie was down my throat telling me I'd better not steal his celebration. 'So I just went with a kind of two-hander and kind of par for the course type cup celebration. "There wasn't anything that I did that different from the normal trophy lift.' McLeish won 12 major trophies in his time at Aberdeen but Miller had been the captain for pretty much all those successes. The 66-year-old will join some of his fellow Scottish Cup-winning heroes next week when they return to Aberdeen for the '1990: The Legends Return' event in the Music Hall. Hans Gillhaus, Theo Snelders, Brian Irvine and Charlie Nicholas will all be part of the event. "I am really looking forward to coming back for the celebrations,' McLeish admitted. 'I am still in regular contact with the boys but it has been a couple of years since I have seen some of them. 'It will be good to catch up and share our memories with the Aberdeen fans. It is hard to believe it has been 35 years and that was the last time Aberdeen last won the Scottish Cup. 'Its incredible. We had that golden era under Sir Alex Ferguson and then Alex and Jocky came in and we won both cups in that 1989-90 season but after that it became difficult when Rangers started throwing money at it and then Celtic got their house in order.' McLeish admitted that the 1990 final won't go down as a Hampden classic and he almost caused Jocky Scott heart failure during the penalty shootout. The former Scotland star recalled: 'My memories are that it wasn't the greatest of games and it went to penalties. We had gone through the first five takers and then Alex and Jocky asked who was taking the sixth? 'I put my hand up and Jocky asked if I was confident I would score? I frightened the life out of him by saying: 'No, but I will put it in my chosen corner with my right foot and if the goalkeeper goes the right way he isn't saving it anyway'. 'I insisted I was the captain and I'm taking responsibility on the sixth penalty. It was a long walk but thankfully I managed to put it away.' Snelders saved from Anton Rogan and allowed Irvine the glory of netting the winning penalty and sinking to his knees in celebration. McLeish recalled: 'Big Brian, to see him putting the ball, the winner, in the net and instantly celebrating the way he did was absolute joy. 'It was a privilege to watch as captain of Aberdeen that day. There is nothing like it. You've still got to treasure and cherish what we've done in that cup final in 1990, against a good Celtic team. "It would be great if the current Aberdeen side could do the same again in this year's final, although it will be tough because Celtic under Brendan Rodgers have proved what a top team they are." 1990: The Legends Return' event is at the Aberdeen Music Hall on Thursday, May 22. McLeish will be joined by Hans Gillhaus, Charlie Nicholas, Brian Irvine and Theo Snelders. Tickets are available at
Press and Journal
14-05-2025
- Sport
- Press and Journal
EXCLUSIVE: Why Hans Gillhaus missed Aberdeen Hall of Fame induction - plus, WIN a pair of tickets to Music Hall Scottish Cup legends event featuring Dutch icon
Aberdeen 1990 Scottish Cup hero Hans Gillhaus has revealed why he missed his Reds Hall of Fame induction in January – and there is a plan to belatedly mark the 'honour' in the Granite City in the coming days. Dutch Dons icon Gillhaus – who scored more than 30 times for Aberdeen between November 1989 and March 1983, and netted in the famous Hampden cup final penalty shoot-out win over Celtic just months after his arrival – will be back in north-east with four of his 1990 silverware-securing team-mates for a Music Hall gig next week. Gillhaus will be on stage with cup-winning skipper Alex McLeish, as well as ex-strike partner Charlie Nicholas, goalkeeping compatriot Theo Snelders and winning penalty scorer Brian Irvine next Thursday for the '1990: The Legends Return' evening (details on how to win one of 10 pairs of tickets for the Thursday show below). The shows – Gillhaus' first live stage appearance since leaving Pittodrie 26 years ago -will give him the chance to celebrate the Hall of Fame recognition he received earlier this year with a special ceremony. Gillhaus was travelling in his former role as a scout for Saudi Premier League club Al-Ahli when the initial event at the Chester Hotel took place. 'At that moment, I was travelling in Saudi,' Gillhaus said. '(But) I think something is going to happen on the Thursday morning that we have the (Music Hall) event, for the induction.' Asked whether it was emotional to receive the Hall of Fame nod from his former club, former Netherlands international Gillhaus said: 'Very much so.' Working as a scout since hanging up his boots in 1999, Gillhaus brought current Manchester City centre-back Nathan Ake and ex-Crystal Palace left-back Patrick van Aanholt to Chelsea from the Netherlands as youngsters. Former forward Gillhaus is currently between scouting roles, though – allowing him to make this first trip to Aberdeen in 'four or five years'. He said: 'I was in Saudi Arabia – Al-Ahli. I was there a couple of months. 'And before that, my last club was Atalanta Bergamo. 'So those were the last two. 'I enjoy it (scouting) very much. It's just because I left Saudi Arabia at the end of summer, then most of the clubs are all selling their scouting, so therefore, it's been a bit difficult to get something new. But that'll come.' Gillhaus has been using his down-time to watch football, including 'occasional Scottish games', while 'the rest is all around Europe and South America and everything – just whatever is on.' He has only seen 'one or two' matches involving Jimmy Thelin's Aberdeen this term, and admits he is therefore the 'wrong guy' to make 'an intelligent analysis' on their season. In a stroke of misfortune, Gillhaus is also scheduled to fly back to the Netherlands after Thursday evening's event at the Music Hall – just two days before the current Dons take on Celtic in this season's Scottish Cup final. While he is unable give too much insight on the 2025 Aberdeen team, one thing Gillhaus remembers in glorious detail is the 1990 cup campaign, culminating in the final shoot-out victory over the Hoops. Gillhaus was a European Cup winner when he arrived at Aberdeen from PSV Eindhoven late in 1989 – but says the Scottish Cup success with the Reds is 'very close' in the pecking order of his career achievements, given what the old trophy means to fans of clubs in Scotland. He said: 'The two years before, with PSV, we won the cup as well. So this was the third (domestic cup) final. 'But how the day was itself and the atmosphere in the stadium was completely different to the Dutch Cup final – this was really intense and the atmosphere was fantastic. 'I remember, obviously, the fact that the penalties were taken on the side where the Aberdeen supporters were, so that made it very special. 'But the whole build-up, too… 'What I remember most and enjoyed most was the journey towards the final with the semi-final against Dundee, the quarter-final with Hearts. Those games I will never forget. 'We were really, really on the high of our game and to finish it off in such a famous stadium, that was really, really special – very close, very close, I would say, to winning the Champions League.' Hampden, too – will often derided by supporters – left a lasting impression on the Dutchman. 'It's not one of the most beautiful or nice stadiums because of, yeah, I think you have a bit of a running track around it,' Gillhaus said. 'So, for the fans, it might be a bit far away from the pitch. 'But for the players, that was… For me, it was a magical place.' We've got 10 pairs of tickets to Thursday, May 22's '1990: The Legends Return' event to give away. At Aberdeen's Music Hall next Thursday, Dons 1990 Scottish Cup-winning players Hans Gillhaus, Charlie Nicholas, Alex McLeish, Theo Snelders and Brian Irvine will recall stories of their time at the club, the great period where they won the double in 89/90 and how the likes of Gillhaus made such an impact to the club. The audience will also be able to put their own questions to their heroes. You just need to Entry is via this link – and close on Sunday, May 18, at 5pm (full terms and conditions at link above).
