Scottish Cup fever is gripping the north-east today as hordes of roaring Aberdeen fans cheer on the Dons in their bid for glory.
A 20,000 strong Red Army will pack inside Hampden and many more will fill pubs and living rooms as the Pittodrie club goes head-to-head with hot favourites and Scottish Premiership and Scottish League Cup champions Celtic.
Cheeky Reds supporters have adorned statues of Queen Victoria, Prince Albert, the Duke of Gordon and Denis Law with club gear including flags, hats and scarves.
And Stand Free banners have been hung on shop and pub frontages far and wide across city and shire as the area nails its colours firmly to the mast.
Fast food outlet Mr Chips in Mannofield has even lent its support by introducing red-battered chips to its menu for the special occasion.
New Lord Provost of Aberdeen Barney Crockett gave a rousing call for a Reds victory. He said: “On behalf of all Dons fans in Aberdeen and the north-east I’d like to wish Derek McInnes and the squad all the very best for Saturday’s Scottish Cup Final. I’m sure they’ll put in a tremendous effort in what we all hope will be a thrilling finale to what has been a great season for the club. Come On Ye Reds!”
The Hoops, having gone unbeaten throughout their league campaign, are highly fancied
But Dons boss Derek McInnes piled the pressure onto Brendan Rodgers’ side and insisted seeing new skipper Graeme Shinnie lift the trophy would cap off a brilliant season for his side.
He said: “I think the level of player they have, and the performances they’ve produced, anything other than a treble would be extremely disappointing for them.
“But we can have a brilliant season, a season to remember, a special season by winning this.”
City-based supporters group Blazing Rams are taking three buses filled with 175 excited fans in total. Chris Strachan, travel convenor for the group, said: “It’s been a lot to organise and we could have had more.
“Everyone is really positive about the final. After the Rangers game and the Partick Thistle game and after playing Celtic at Pittodrie where we dominated the last 70 minutes, everyone is confident.
“We’ll be leaving at 8am and going down to a social club near the ground to get in the mood, and then on to Hampden.
“It doesn’t matter to us – win or lose we’ll be back to Aberdeen for a party.
“Celtic are the best team in Scotland, there’s no getting away from it, so we’ll need to give 110% if we’re going to win.”
Three buses of Dons fans from Fraserburgh are also making the trip down to the game.
Supporters club secretary Iain Ramsay said about 100 Brochers regularly made trips to games home and away with the group.
“There’s 155 of us going – but that’s standard for Hampden games for us.
“After the last league game when we were 3-0 down after 11 minutes everyone was a bit ‘oh no’, but the results have got everyone up for it again.
“It’s been an excellent season and it has helped us as a supporter’s club to fill buses.
“If we don’t lose a goal in the first 20 minutes or so I think we’ll do well – and I think if we get a draw at 90 minutes it’ll be great result for us.”
Ellon Reds fan club has 250 local followers all set to head off by bus in the morning. Its travel convenor Matthew Cantlay commented: “Demand has been higher for tickets, obviously with it being a bigger game more people want to go.
“I’m hopeful, but also a bit nervous.”
Police have said that there will be an enhanced presence of officers in Aberdeen city centre, and asked supporters not to be alarmed at the security presence at Hampden given the nationwide “critical” terror threat level that came into force following Monday night’s atrocity at Manchester Arena.
Superintendent Mark Hargreaves, match commander, said: “The enhanced security operation at the stadium may include body and bag searches, which could potentially delay entry for a short time.
“There is no specific threat against Scotland, or the Scottish Cup Final, however people should remain calm but vigilant and report anything suspicious to police.”
