10-05-2025
Aberdeen folk ain't the sunniest of lots but fair play to Dave Cormack for his actions against an ominous prospect
There's a glass of milk sitting on a table. The optimist will say it's half full. The pessimist will claim it's half empty.
The Aberdeen fan will rage that some Weegie has scudded half his milk. They are not always the sunniest of lots in the North East but they shouldn't half be happy to get their equal share of Hampden in a few weeks.
Fair play to the Dandies. Plenty of – west coast – folk scoffed when they demanded a 50/50 split with Celtic for the Scottish Cup Final with Dave Cormack promising to stump up if they fell short.
But it was an easy claim for Cormack. He knows his club and its supporters and he wouldn't have been too surprised to see the job lot gone in less than eight hours.
There's nothing pessimistic about that. Aberdeen fans could have been forgiven for having some reluctance over this one.
Everyone and their granny has practically handed Celtic the Treble already. Most reckon Brendan Rodgers' men just need to turn up to get their hands on yet another trophy.
It's maybe understandable. Celtic are an ominous prospect. They've romped the league and smacked Aberdeen about often enough.
The Dons dared to pinch a point at Parkhead when they ended Rodgers' winning league start earlier in the campaign and a few weeks later they spitefully rifled six past them in response in the League Cup semis.
There was another five goal thumping in Glasgow to follow and that's on the back of another six goal stuffing last term.
Aberdeen are in Glasgow today to take on old chums Rangers at Ibrox and while they have given the Light Blues a ton of grief over the years, they've been Parkhead punchbags too many times.
And that's what makes the Scottish Cup snap up so impressive. That's extreme optimism for you, rather than the stereotypical Granite City expected doom.
Sure, deep down they might actually expect to head home empty handed, but there was no chance they wouldn't be at Hampden in case the unimaginable did happen.
It has to at some time. Aberdeen have been waiting far too long to get their bits on this trophy.
Maggie Thatcher was still in No.10 the last time they lifted the thing and 35 years is way too long regardless of the shifting financial landscape over the decades.
The Dons have watched too many others being successful during their long shut out.
It's okay saying it's about time, it's another actually doing it though. Celtic will have a few weeks to rest bodies and refresh minds for the big one.
Aberdeen have a fight for third to sort out. It could be a blessing. Jimmy Thelin's season has been one of the great enigmas.
There was some fanciful chat about a title challenge last Autumn, but the wheels didn't just come off – they entire jalopy fell to bits.
The Swede managed to do a repair job just in time to get back in the fight to be best of the rest, but there's still some warning lights flashing.
Aberdeen have been flaky at the back and that's not something they can afford against a Celtic side that's now smashed more than 100 goals this term.
Thelin might be low key in front of a camera but he likes his teams to attack. That might not be the best plan for Hampden.
Studying the way Rangers have played against Celtic in recent derbies could be a smarter move.
Thelin will get to see Celts up close at Pittodrie on Wednesday but don't bank on this one revealing much. Rodgers has hinted he wants to see if some of the club's youngsters have the chops for that kind of encoutner so it'll be a completely different look.
Today's Ibrox clash might be a better dummy run. You wouldn't bet against the Dons adding more misery on a Rangers side desperately crawling towards the summer.
Dons fans will be travelling to Glasgow in hope – and it'll be the same at Hampden.
And it's not a given that their half glass of milk will turn sour.
