Adam Rooney was Aberdeen’s saviour against St Johnstone – but the Irishman says netting the winner against Rangers this Sunday would mean even more.
The 28-year-old came off the bench to score a last-minute winner against the Perth Saints in Thursday’s 1-0 win to set up a Betfred Cup semi-final showdown with Championship side Greenock Morton.
There is no time for the Dons to rest up with another enormous game coming tomorrow lunchtime when Mark Warburton’s Rangers visit Pittodrie.
Rooney has already carved out a place in the history of Aberdeen Football Club by scoring the decisive penalty kick against Caley Thistle when the Dons ended a 19-year wait for silverware by winning the League Cup in 2014.
But the former Oldham Athletic and Caley Thistle attacker knows a winning goal against Rangers would further endear him to the Red Army.
He said: “It would be bigger than my winner against St Johnstone.
“I would become a cult hero. It would be great to get the winner but the most important thing is that we take the three points.
“I think I played against Rangers twice at Inverness and I haven’t scored against them.
“When Rangers got back into the league, everyone I know spoke about the atmosphere and the rivalry between the two clubs.
“I am looking forward to that experience but we haven’t really focussed on it before now.
“We had to make sure we didn’t disrespect St Johnstone in the cup.
“Everyone saw what a tough game it was.
“We were delighted to win in the cup and now we look forward to Rangers.
“It should be a good atmosphere. It is one of those games the supporters look forward to, if not their main game. Hopefully we can give them a win.”
If Rooney is to secure his status as a cult hero at Pittodrie then former Swindon Town teammate and current Rangers goalkeeper Wes Foderingham is the man he will have to beat.
Rooney added: “It will be nice to see him but hopefully I can stick a few goals past him.
“Wes was at Swindon for a year and did very well.
“I remember on my debut, he got taken off in the 18th minute.
“Paolo Di Canio signed five boys on transfer deadline day and told us all to be ready to come on because he was going to change the team early.
“I didn’t think he meant the goalkeepers.
“Every manager is different. It is something you don’t experience all the time and Wes bounced back from it.
“He is very confident with the ball at his feet and is a good keeper. He has done very well for Rangers.”