A fractured kneecap robbed Dons goalkeeper Joe Lewis of the chance to sample a cup final five years ago and the Englishman would love to make amends by helping Aberdeen to Hampden.
The 28-year-old suffered the injury while playing for Peterborough United in the first leg of the 2011 League One play-off semi-final at Milton Keynes Dons.
The Posh went on to make it through to the final against Huddersfield, which was held at a packed Old Trafford with Wembley out of action as it prepared to host the Champions League final.
For Lewis, it was a bittersweet experience as he watched from the stands while Peterborough ran out 3-0 winners to earn promotion to the Championship.
Lewis, who was twice called up to the senior England squad while a Peterborough player during former manager Fabio Capello’s time in charge of the national team but was never capped, would relish the chance to experience a Hampden cup final with Aberdeen later this year.
But first the 6ft 5in stopper must help the Dons get past St Johnstone in this evening’s Betfred Cup quarter-final.
He said: “I got injured in the first leg of the play-off semi-finals – I broke my kneecap – so I missed out on that big occasion.
“I’ve played in other big games but to get to a cup final and to win it would be fantastic.
“We’ve just got to make sure we’re at it against St Johnstone because we’re facing a team in decent form.
“I’ve had a few promotions, but to have that one day at a cup final would be fantastic.
“I never even won a school cup final because I was at the Norwich City academy and they didn’t really want us playing for our schools.
“It is definitely part of coming to a club such as Aberdeen – we’ve got the expectation.
“When I spoke to the manager before I signed for the club he said there was an expectation at Aberdeen to do well in cup competitions.
“The expectation from the club and the city to do well and the pressure that comes with that is something that drew me to the club.
“Everyone wants to win trophies. I see the photos around Pittodrie from when they won the League Cup a couple of years ago and that is something I want to be part of and achieve at the club. To win silverware would be fantastic.”
Tonight is the start of an exciting Pittodrie double-header with the visit of Rangers to follow on Sunday and after the 3-1 win against Dundee, Lewis feels the Dons can go into both matches feeling confident.
He added: “We had a slow start to the season. The performances weren’t far away but we just lacked that final ball or decisive touch.
“But we had that on Sunday against Dundee, which was pleasing, so hopefully we can take that into the St Johnstone game.
“It’s all about building momentum and we got that by scoring three goals on Sunday.”
