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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
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Six sacked Soccer Saturday pundits and what really happened
Soccer Saturday was once the must-watch show for football fans but has undergone a number of changes in recent years that has seen the likes of Charlie Nicholas axed at Sky Sports Soccer Saturday was once a staple in the weekend itinerary of many football fans before significant alterations were made to its panel of pundits. The Sky Sports show was the source of countless memorable moments during its heyday. The quartet of Phil Thompson, Matt Le Tissier, Scottish legend Charlie Nicholas and Paul Merson offered a unique blend of insightful analysis, humour and the occasional on-air blunder. With the legendary Jeff Stelling at the helm, Soccer Saturday stood head and shoulders above other sports programmes, thanks to the unique rapport amongst its pundits and the sometimes frenzied interruptions from reporters with goal updates from matches around the UK. However, the show's current incarnation is a far cry from what it was a decade ago, following several reshuffles by Sky Sports, which included the dismissal of long-standing pundits. So why did Sky decide to part ways with many of its beloved pundits? Phil Thompson, Charlie Nicholas and Matt Le Tissier Thompson was the first among the Soccer Saturday stalwarts to be informed of his departure in August 2020, closely followed by Celtic icon Nicholas and Le Tissier. Sky's head of football arranged a meeting with the Liverpool legend, where he broke the news to Thompson that the broadcaster was charting a new course. A gutted Thompson told Daily Mail: "It became a way of life, so taking that away... I miss it. We were a band of brothers." Nicholas and Le Tissier were also dropped while Merson was retained. In a statement regarding their decision, Sky explained: "We are changing some parts of our football coverage Matt, Charlie and Phil have done a great job for us over the years, and they will leave us with our sincere thanks and very best wishes." Thompson, the oldest of the trio, felt that his co-stars had more to give, remarking: "It was three parts of a midfield. The others could have continued." Sky took this action during the pandemic, which may have been influenced by economic considerations and a response to calls for increased diversity on the channel. Le Tissier found the experience particularly tough due to his relatively younger age, Stelling once observed. Meanwhile, BBC and ITV pundit Wright addressed the backlash on social media, insisting: "Matt Le Tissier, Charlie Nicholas, Phil Thompson, they've had an unbelievable run, it's been a great show. This happens to everyone in the industry. This is Sky's decision to evolve the show." Tony Cottee Tony Cottee, the former West Ham, Everton and Leicester star, remained on Soccer Saturday for a year longer than the aforementioned colleagues before leaving as Sky looked to fresh-up up its on-screen roster of talent. Reflecting on his departure on the Under the Cosh podcast, Cottee said: "I had 20 great years there and I look back and I don't like the way it ended. It was their choice more than my choice. I wanted to carry on being part of the show, obviously Soccer Saturday. "But I also look back and think I had 20 wonderful years. Some of the characters - Jeff Stelling's an amazing presenter. Then you think of the Kammy's (Chris Kamara) and the McInally's (Alan McInally), and then the lads who were on the panel. Merse, Le Tiss, Charlie, Thommo. Just wonderful characters." Rodney Marsh Rodney Marsh, another familiar face from Soccer Saturday's early days, was known for his forthright punditry. The Manchester City legend entertained audiences with his blunt analysis, once shaving his head after incorrectly predicting Bradford City's fate in a relegation battle. However, Marsh's tenure on the show came to an abrupt end following an inappropriate joke about the tragic Indian Ocean tsunami in 2004. Despite issuing an apology, he was let go. Marsh went on to appear on reality TV shows such as 'I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here' in 2007 and has since been seen on various other programmes. Now aged 80, he continues to share his football insights on Sirius XM. Bianca Westwood Bianca Westwood became another high-profile reporter to part ways with Sky Sports in August 2023. After 22 years of service and making a name for herself as a fan favourite, she was let go by the broadcaster. The reshuffle saw other well-known reporters, including Dickie Davis, Guy Havord, Greg Whelan, Lynsey Hooper, and Jaydee Dyer, leave their roles, believed to be driven by budgetary constraints. Now fulfilling a similar role at talkSPORT, Westwood shared an emotional post on Instagram regarding her departure: "A bit like when I did my first match report, I didn't want to make a fuss but I've had SO many messages and questions about where I'll be today I thought I might as well let you know. "I haven't quite made enough money to retire unfortunately, but I am retiring from Sky Sports and Soccer Saturday. It's been a phenomenal 22 and a half years and I've been a small part of building the channel into the giant of broadcasting it is today. What a ride!"
