Covid crisis was a spur for Dons
Derek Mcinnes believes that Aberdeen’s Covid-19 controversy at the start of this season might just have been the making of his team.
The Dons had two players test positive, and a further half-dozen forced to self-isolate, after they visited a city centre bar just hours after playing Rangers.
It brought condemnation from, among others, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, and sanctions from the SPFL with games postponed and a fine issued.
As he looked to today’s clash with Celtic, Mcinnes reflected: “There was a lot of noise surrounding us. We took a kicking.
“Everyone and anyone was making comment, but we felt we had been doing a lot of things better than most.
“I felt we had to come fighting back as a club, and get the right response.”
to think that right now is the time to be playing them.
“And, of course, I get that this is only the semi-final we are talking about.
“However, if Aberdeen can get past Celtic, they will have a brilliant opportunity to win the Scottish Cup again after what has been too long.
“It really does feel like this could be their time.”
Irvine’s moment of glory back in 1990 came against all the odds.
As he admits himself, he would not have been in the side had Aberdeen’s legendary captain, Willie Miller, by then getting towards the end of his playing career, not had injury problems.
That gave Irvine a run in the team that he grabbed with both hands, forming a strong partnership in the centre of defence with Alex Mcleish, who skippered the side in Miller’s absence. It was only his reluctance to take a penalty that earned him the chance to grab the glory.
“When we got to the shoot- out, I thought my work was done,” Irvine admitted.
“I had never enjoyed taking penalties, and hadn’t actually ever taken one as a professional footballer. “So even when it went to sudden death ( the regulation five penalties for each team having finished 4- 4), I still didn’t think I would have anything to do with it.
“But the boys – on both sides – just kept scoring, so eventually I had to take a turn.
“The fantastic news for me and Aberdeen was that Theo Snelders pulled off a great save to deny Anton Rogan.
“That gave me the chance to win the Cup by scoring my penalty. “I did it – and it was a moment which will live with me for the rest of my life.
“But, as I have always said, I do have to give Theo and the other lads thanks, and credit, for providing me with that moment.” Now Irvine’s wish is for one of the current side to go on and experience that feeling, and he concluded: “People will underestimate this Aberdeen team at their peril.”