Dons can make it a Treble hell says Alex

ALEX SMITH is convinced Aberdeen have what it takes to deny Celtic the Treble and end his record as the last Dons manager to lift the Scottish Cup.

But the veteran former Pittodrie boss insists his old side will have to ‘work like they’ve never worked before’ if they are to get their hands on the trophy for the first time in 27 years.

Smith, who had steered St Mirren to their Scottish Cup triumph of 1987, led Aberdeen to their remarkable 9-8 penalty-kicks victory over Celtic three years later to complete a cup double that season.

Now 77, Falkirk’s technical director admits the Dons’ wait for the old silverware has stretched on too long since that dramatic day at Hampden.

However, he believes Derek McInnes’s team will have to perform at the peak of their abilities to be in with a chance of upsetting Celtic like in 1990.

He said: “I was in charge the last time Aberdeen won the Scottish Cup, of course, but that was back in 1990 and that’s too long for a club like Aberdeen.

“They’ve been close two or three times and been there or thereabouts. It’ll happen one year and it could be this year.

“If I had a suggestion, it would be to go out and play to win. Let the game happen, but work like you’ve never worked before.

“They have to do that because Celtic are an excellent team and Aberdeen’s concentration levels are going to have to be 100 per cent.

“And the application and the willingness to get forward to get their noses in front and score a goal has got to be top-class as well.”

Smith hopes Aberdeen have learned from their 3-0 defeat to Celtic in the League Cup Final back in November.

On that occasion, the Dons were behind after 15 minutes and 2-0 down at half-time, and never really threatened a comeback.

Smith added: “If Aberdeen curtail Celtic in the early part of the game and don’t allow them to run away with it like they did the last time, then they have a chance.

“They have to stay in the game as long as they can, and if they can do that then they’re perfectly capable of scoring a goal or two that can win the cup.”

THERE was only one way the cheeky and talented young Patrick Roberts was going to be treated when he would nutmeg big brother Adam and his mates.

They would kick him. Every time the wee scamp beat one, two and then a third, an older boy would dish out the sort of punishment which some would describe as character building.

It might sound cruel but if you are going to be a diminutive winger then best to find out early on that life as that kind of footballer is tough.

The Roberts boys are clearly close, but when your wee brother is taking the Michael, what is the older sibling supposed to do?

Roberts said: “I used to play with my brother and his mates and they used to kick me, which was good. So now it’s routine for it to happen on a Saturday.

“I was the annoying little brother that used to dribble past him. He used to kick me about the park, if you ask my mum, when I ran past him.

“It was fun to wind my brother up and you get in arguments and fights.

“He’s not bad, he says I’m the player I am because of him being the bigger brother.

“He plays down south for an amateur team called Barnes Eagles and whenever I get down I’ll watch him play. He’s been in a couple of cup finals but he’s lost them both, so I hope I don’t lose.”

The entire Roberts clan will be at Hampden on Saturday to see if their lad can help Celtic end the season invincible and immortal.

This isn’t so unusual because many of them, Adam mostly, have been regular at the games over the past 18 months.

They have got right into what being a Celtic fan is all about even if the boys were all brought up to worship Liverpool while mum is an Evertonian.

Roberts said: “They have loved it, especially my brother, he always gets involved, he loves the away games, loves being part of my career and it is nice for me to have support like that - most players don’t have that.

“It is nice, they just want to see me do as well as I want to do for myself.

“They go to away games as well. At Thistle on Thursday, he (Adam) was trying to get as many tickets as he could.

“Towards the end of the season he has been to a lot and has been up here most of the time. He enjoys it, he gets right into it.”

So does little brother return the favour?

He said: “When I have a day off, and they are playing on Sunday, I’ll sometimes go. How many are watching him? A couple of dogs, a few fans and me. And a couple of fights.

“He appreciates that, he comes and watches me and I love watching him just as much. We’ve got the support of our mum and dad who follow us around as well, like they did when we were kids. We’re a big football family.”

ROBERTS has been great for Celtic. Wherever he goes next, this young man can be assured of a warm welcome at Celtic Park for years to come – especially if he can help deliver a Treble.

And the way he is playing right now, you wouldn’t want to be Aberdeen leftback Andrew Considine whose job is to somehow keep the Englishman quiet.

Roberts said: “I just think players come into form at different times.

“It is all about how you finish the season, and finishing it as strong as possible, mentally and physically, coming into every game, fit and positive and that is what I have done.

“I have kept focused and confident and scored a few goals, which is good, and if that has helped the team that’s nice.

“As players, I think we thrive under pressure. When you get out onto the park, there is excitement, like when you get a good first touch and do well. That is important for me.

“It sets you up for the rest of the 90 minutes. You gain confidence through that and the more confident you get the more shots and goals you get. Getting that good first touch helps you do that in the game.

“I believe in confidence a lot.

If I have all the confidence in the world I can try anything I want – that for me is the biggest part of my game – to be confident in your ability and never let that drop.”

If he is to leave Celtic, going out with a classic performance at the end of an unbelievable season would be a nice farewell.

Roberts said: “These fans are brilliant, they j ust enjoy watching good football.

“I have been part of that all my life, and my parents are part of it, when I can make them get up off their seat makes me feel good and that is why I do it more and more. “