40 years after Gers win, Bobby calls it a day
Beating Rangers today would be the perfect way for Aberdeen to take revenge after their midweek humbling at Ibrox.
But legendary Dons keeper Bobby Clark reckons victory over the Gers could also spark his old club’s season – just as it did in 1977.
Billy McNeill’s Aberdeen side had lost five times in the first half of the 1977/78 campaign by the time they welcomed Rangers to Pittodrie on Christmas Eve.
Defeat to Hibs the previous week had left them five points behind the Gers, and Jock Wallace’s men were set on increasing their lead.
Instead, the Dons produced a Christmas cracker of a performance to run out 4- 0 winners, and embark on an unbeaten league run that would last until the end of the season.
“That win sparked us into life,” recalls Clark, who pulled off an outstanding last-minute save from Tommy McLean to preserve his clean sheet.
“We’d been going away fine in the first half of the season without being at our very best, and we’d lost a few games, including the one before.
“But as good as Rangers were at the time, we had great players, too – and we knew it.
“We didn’t lose very often to Rangers or Celtic in that era.
“There was never any fear. We knew we’d get goals against anybody.”
Thanks to the Dons’ deadly attacking quartet of Ian Gibson, Dave Robb, Joe Harper and Drew Jarvie, they did exactly that in front of a festive Pittodrie crowd of 21,000.
Bobby Clark in his Aberdeen heyday
In the weeks to come they racked up even more points, eating further into Rangers’ once healthy lead. For the man between the sticks, it was a joy to watch.
“We had a great attacking team at that time,” says Clark.
“You had Jarvie, who would always score, Joe Harper was always scoring, Davie Robb was always worth a goal and Ian Gibson could score – and they all did against Rangers!
“That speaks volumes. Then there was Johnny McMaster who had a great left foot and could score from distance.
“And, of course, at the back, you had Stuart Kennedy, and I don’t know if I ever played with a better right-back.
“He was so fast, I don’t think anybody ever beat him up the line. And he never fouled – he took a pride in it!
“I remember a game at Ayr United when the referee gave a foul against him and he was indignant. He was shouting: ‘I don’t foul!’.
“With players like that, we believed we were a match for Rangers every time we went out against them.”
The Dons ultimately couldn’t stop Rangers from winning the league that season, despite their remarkable unbeaten stretch.
After missing out on the title on the final day, the Granite City men endured further misery a week later when Rangers sealed a 2-1 Scottish Cup Final win at Hampden.
But the good times were in the post for Aberdeen, who claimed their first title in a quarter of a century just two years later.
Having savoured the moment, Clark stuck around at Pittodrie for two more years before embarking on a coaching career that has taken him to Africa, New Zealand and the United States.
It has been a labour of love for the former stopper. But with his 73rd birthday in sight, Clark has just announced his retirement after 17 years as head coach at Notre Dame University in Indiana, USA.
“I believe Alex Ferguson said it was best to retire while you’ve still got the energy to do things,” Bobby explains. “If I stay on, I’m not sure that will be the case! “I have loved every moment of my time at Notre Dame, and I’ll be involved in recruiting my replacement.
“I’m also sure I’ll stay involved in football, but it’s time to stop being a head coach – and to get back to see an Aberdeen game!”