May’s sure Dons have the spirit to lift the cup
Stevie May knows what silverware.
That’s why he’s desperate to add to his career scrapbook by hoisting the League Cup with Aberdeen.
May was the talisman of the St Johnstone side that won the Scottish Cup in 2014.
By a twist of fate, the combination of his name and squad number meant his shirt bore the date of the Cup Final.
It’s a game he will never forget.
But if he can add the League Cup to his trophy collection, the Aberdeen star will be over the moon all over again.
“It would be nice to add to the Scottish Cup,” said May.
“There are a few boys in the dressing room who have won trophies and a few who haven’t.
“The ones who have know it’s the best feeling in the game. It’s what you play football for, so winning another one would be special.
“Winning the Scottish Cup still sticks out as a career highlight. Anyone would say when you win trophies it’s special.
“With the team we have, and the spirit, it’s definitely something we’re looking towards, but we have a game to deal with before that.
“It was in my thoughts when I came here though. In Scotland, anyone has a chance of winning. That’s the beauty of it.
“We’ve seen over the past few years different teams winning, like St Johnstone and Inverness, and the Edinburgh clubs.
“It’s definitely something we have our eye on, but we’ve got a game to deal with first, and
it means to
lift hopefully we can take our form into the final.”
May has drawn praise for his tireless work rate for the Dons this season.
But as a striker, he recognises goals are a big part of how he will be judged.
With young prospects such as Bruce Anderson and Scott Wright nipping at his heels for a start, May is aware he needs to hit the net.
But he insists that contributing to a winning Aberdeen performance is his overall priority.
“We’ve got a lot of young players in a lot of positions,” said the hit man.
“Bruce is unlucky not to have got another few starts. He’s a young player who’s champing at the bit, which you’d expect.
“Every time he has come in he has done well.
“He has that goal-scoring instinct, which he showed at the weekend.
“But throughout the team there is competition because the squad is really strong.
“It’s frustrating not scoring as many goals as I’d have liked, but every striker wants that.
“If you could you’d be scoring every game. But that’s something that will come. Working hard and winning games is the main thing.” Gary Mackay-steven is another Don whose hard work is not going unrecognised.
The wide-man’s superb goal – his sixth of the season – secured Aberdeen’s win over Hibs on Friday night.
This week he will join the Scotland squad, where he aims to add a third cap following his recall in the last round of fixtures.
His skill and pace has always been a potent weapon. But his manager believes the 28-yearold has added real toughness to his game since arriving at Pittodrie – to the benefit of both himself and his club.
“I think he has grown up here,” said Mcinnes. “He trains every day and very rarely misses a game for me so there’s a toughness and a resilience there that really pleases me.
“But the reason people talk about him and the reason he is in the international squad is because of his ability one-v-one.
“When he is playing at the top of his game there are not many better in Scotland. “There were times on Friday night where he was brave. That resilience I’m talking about – I’m not saying he has never had it but it’s certainly a part of his game that’s far stronger now.
“I think back to when I played – if I’m up against a Gary Mackay-steven I need to let him know I’m there.
“He is tough but he is a good player and I’m just delighted we’ve got him motoring.”