Latest news with #Dorrington
Daily Record
26-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
Alfie Dorrington offers Aberdeen transfer hope as Ange and Tottenham inspire heroics over Celtic at Hampden
The on loan defender got his first taste of glory after helping Jimmy Thelin's men lift the Scottish Cup at the Hoops' expense Alfie Dorrington watched his Tottenham teammates celebrate their Europa League win and admitted that was the spur he needed to help Aberdeen lift the Scottish Cup. The on-loan Spurs defender got his first taste of glory after he helped the Dons to see off treble-chasing Celtic after a dramatic, penalty shootout at Hampden. Dorrington saw his parent club, under Ange Postecoglou, beat Manchester United in Wednesday's final to lift their first trophy in 17 years and then hit the streets for their parade. The 20-year-old wasn't about to be left out as Jimmy Thelin's side had their own open-top journey yesterday and took the Scottish Cup back to the Granite City for the first time in 35 years. Dorrington admitted: 'I watched the Tottenham one the other day. A few of my mates were there, they said it was crazy. 'It would have been nice to experience that, but the Aberdeen one was just crazy too. It more than made up for it. There were so many people there – it was packed.' The central defender admitted that some of the Spurs squad had been turned into Aberdeen fans for the weekend. He admitted: 'Yeah, they've kept in touch the whole time. 'Especially on Friday night and before the game, they were just messaging me good luck. I think some of them watched the game. 'It's just nice to know that I have the support from Tottenham and nice to know that I have the support from Aberdeen as well.' Aberdeen were written off in most quarters going into this game against Brendan Rodgers' side. In fairness, they had lost their last four meetings with the Hoops and came into the game on the back of Premiership defeats. Dorrington knew there were no doubters in his changing room. 'There's always a chance in a game of football,' Dorrington claimed. '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.' Jimmy Thelin came up with a game plan that sprang a major shock. He ditched his 4-2-3-1 formation for the first time and went for a 3-4-3 and it did the trick, although Dorrington initially feared luck wasn't going to be on Aberdeen's side when Cameron Carter-Vickers' header came off him and flew into the net for Celtic to take the lead. He explained: 'I was marking my man and looking at him. At the last minute, I think it took the nick off someone, I can't really remember. I thought we were comfortable even though we were one-nil 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.' Dorrington has played a lot of football and cramped up and had to come off in the closing minutes of normal time. He knew he wasn't going to be on penalty duty as he wasn't even involved in the pre-match practice. Dimitar Mitov and the rest of his Aberdeen squad proved spot on and ensured Dorrington claimed his first winner's medal. He proudly beamed: 'I won the 17s and 18s cup in the same season. But you know I don't even know how many people there were on Saturday - 50,000? 'When you're in the game, obviously you 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, looking around, I'm thinking, wow, I played in this. I'm just grateful for the opportunity.' This is also likely to be the last game for many of this squad. Jamie McGrath is going to Hibs, Jack MacKenzie is leaving and will be joined by others on the way out, while several loan players, including Dorrington, will all go back to their parent clubs and this will have been their final Aberdeen stand. The Londoner stated: '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 were 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 percent is still a chance. Anything can happen in the game of football.' Dorrington has loved this first taste of top-team football and wouldn't be adverse to returning on loan if Tottenham feel he needs more first-team experience. He said: 'Obviously, I love the city, I love the club, the staff, the players. 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.'
Press and Journal
26-05-2025
- Sport
- Press and Journal
Alfie Dorrington on how Aberdeen Scottish Cup glory 'made up' for missing Spurs success - and potential for Dons return next season
Alfie Dorrington says being part of a 'crazy' Scottish Cup celebration with Aberdeen 'more than made up' for missing parent club Tottenham Hotspur's Europa League triumph. Loan defender Dorrington has spent the second half of the campaign on loan with Jimmy Thelin's Dons, and had to watch from afar as Ange Postecoglou's Spurs claimed European silverware on Wednesday night. But it has all been worth it for 20-year-old. He helped Aberdeen beat Celtic on penalties and end a 35-year wait for the Scottish Cup in front of a feverish 20,000 strong Red Army at Hampden on Saturday. Dorrington then celebrated with thousands more supporters in delirious scenes in the hours which followed – including during Sunday's Granite City centre open-top bus parade. He said: 'Obviously, I watched the Tottenham celebrations the other day. 'A few of my mates were on there, they said it was crazy – it would have been nice to experience that, but the Aberdeen one was just crazy too. It more than made up for it. 'There were so many people there – it was packed.' While he did not hear from Spurs boss Postecoglou ahead of Saturday's showpiece clash with Celtic, several of the centre-half's Tottenham team-mates were in touch. Dorrington said: 'Especially on Friday night and before the game, they were just messaging me good luck – I think some of them watched the game. 'It's just nice to know that I have the support from Tottenham and nice to know that I have the support from Aberdeen as well.' Aberdeen boss Jimmy Thelin made a bold switch to a back three for the Scottish Cup final after a trio of chastening defeats to Brendan Rodgers' Celtic during the season. The change made the Dons a far tougher nut to crack. But they still found themselves 1-0 down in the first half when a cross took a nick off Cameron Carter-Vickers, leaving Dorrington helpless to prevent the ball hitting his shoulder and trickling into the Reds' net. However, the Englishman felt, unlike in previous meetings, Aberdeen did not let falling behind rock them, and they eventually levelled late on via sub Shayden Morris' deflected cross before triumphing in the penalty shoot-out. On the unfortunate circumstances of Celtic's goal, Dorrington said: 'I was marking my man and looking at him. At the last minute, I think it took the nick off someone – I can't really remember. '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 think of systems and formations and tactics. But I think it's just who wants it more, to be honest. 'Some of the boys were putting their bodies on the line, cramping and still playing on. It just shows how much it means to us. '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.' Dorrington had been sent off in the 5-1 Premiership loss to Celtic at Pittodrie two midweeks ago, in what was a bruising evening against the Hoops' second-string. However, he says Aberdeen used those who wrote off their cup final chances as fuel, adding: '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.' Having now claimed his first senior winner's medal at Aberdeen (Dorrington won the under-17s and U18s FA Cup in the same season with Tottenham), and having felt the passion of the Red Army at full blast following their silverware success, is he keen to stick around next season, with guaranteed European group football on the Reds' agenda? 'I don't even know how many people there were (at Hampden) on Saturday… 50,000?' Dorrington said. 'When you're in the game, obviously you 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, looking around, I'm thinking: 'Wow, I played in this.' – I'm just grateful for the opportunity. 'Obviously, I love the city, I love the club, the staff, the players. '(But) 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 National
25-05-2025
- Sport
- The National
Spurs loanee argues Aberdeen won cup because they wanted it more
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.' Read more: 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. Read more: '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.'
Glasgow Times
25-05-2025
- Sport
- Glasgow Times
Spurs loanee argues Aberdeen won cup because they wanted it more
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.' Read more: 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. Read more: '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.'
The Herald Scotland
25-05-2025
- Sport
- The Herald Scotland
Spurs loanee argues Aberdeen won cup because they wanted it more
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.' Read more: 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. Read more: '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.'
