TOP 20 MOMENTS OF THE DECADE

After hours of deliberation, the Red Matchday team picked their favourite moments from the past ten years. Yes there are some we have missed, and others that did not make the cut, but that just highlights what an enjoyable period it has been. In chronological order…

2010-2020 TIMELINE

1

02/01/12 | CLYDESDALE BANK PREMIER LEAGUE DUNDEE UTD v ABERDEEN (1-2) TANNADICE – DUNDEE

It’s been awhile, it almost feels like a decade since we have been there, but trips to Tannadice were for the most part very enjoyable due to the atmosphere. Especially when Kari Arnason sticks one in from 40 yards in the final minute. Sadly the Icelandic star’s second spell at the club did not go as well as planned, but we will always have this memory of him.

2

01/02/14 | SCOTTISH LEAGUE CUP SEMI-FINAL ABERDEEN v ST JOHNSTONE (4-0) TYNECASTLE – EDINBURGH

The moment Aberdeen got rid of the semi-final hoodoo. After taking an early lead, St Johnstone lay siege to the Dons goal and Jamie Langfield made a brilliant stop before the reds broke and Peter Pawlett slotted it home. Tynecastle erupted. The Dons were on their way to a final.

3

08/02/14 | WILLIAM HILL SCOTTISH CUP 5TH RND CELTIC V ABERDEEN (1-2) CELTIC PARK – GLASGOW

Before the League Cup final Aberdeen put in one of their best performances at the same venue to knock Celtic out of the Scottish Cup. Russell Anderson inspired the Dons that afternoon and it was his equaliser that led to a great victory. Peter Pawlett scored the winner, but sadly the attacking midfielder would miss the League Cup final through injury.

4

25/02/14 | SCOTTISH PREMIERSHIP ABERDEEN v CELTIC (2-1) PITTODRIE – ABERDEEN

Aberdeen inflicted a first league defeat of the season on Celtic with their second victory over the champions in a matter of weeks. Happy times. All the talk hand been about keeper Fraser Forster breaking the UK record for shut-outs, a record once held by our own Bobby Clark, but Jonny Hayes produced a remarkable strike to beat the big Englishman.

5

16/03/14 | SCOTTISH LEAGUE CUP FINAL ABERDEEN v ICT (0-0aet, 4-2 pens) CELTIC PARK – GLASGOW

This photo by Ross Johnston captures the moment. Along with college Derek Ironside newsline media have captured most of the key moments during the decade along with our colleagues at SNS Group and Scott Baxter and Stephen Dobson. Thanks to all our photographers. The photo shows the Aberdeen players sprinting to celebrate with penalty shoot-out hero Adam Rooney as they clinch the Scottish League Cup.

6

24/07/14 | UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE 2ND RND QUALIFIER 2ND LEG | FC GRONINGEN V ABERDEEN (1-2) (1-2 agg) | EUROBORG – GRONINGEN

There was an over confidence about the talented Dutch, they though it would be an easy win. The Dons destroyed them in the opening 20 minutes, during which time Niall put his side ahead and is seen celebrating with fellow goalscorer Adam Rooney. The two top goalscorers during the decade. Adam scored 88 goals with four hat-tricks. Niall now has 83. A great defensive effort then followed.

7

16/07/15 | UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE QUALIFIER HNK RIJEKA v ABERDEEN (0-3) KANTRIDA STADIUM – CROATIA

Peter Pawlett, who earlier had a goal disallowed, met Shay Logan’s cross with a diving header to double Aberdeen’s lead after Andy Considine had opening the scoring in the first half. Kenny McLean’s left footed shot made it 3-0 to Aberdeen. All three goals were great moments. As was the final whistle when the home fans even applauded the performance of the Aberdeen team. This was Rijeka’s first home defeat in continental competition in 13 games, and even Europa League champions Sevilla failed to win there the season before. The most complete performance of the decade?

8

12/09/15 | LADBROKES PREMIERSHIP ABERDEEN v CELTIC (2-1) PITTODRIE – ABERDEEN

During the last ten years has a winning goal been celebrated more at Pittodrie than this one? Down to ten men, Paul Quinn celebrates his goal with his team-mates. Has there been a better celebration picture?! The crowd that day, feeling a sense of injustice, inspired the boys to the win.

9

20/09/15 | LADBROKES PREMIERSHIP HEARTS v ABERDEEN (1-3) TYNECASTLE – EDINBURGH

Eight wins in a row at the start of the season. Hearts had just been promoted and really fancied themselves for this one. A packed Tynecastle (a venue we had hardly hard a great record at for many years) witness arguably the finest 45 minutes produced by the Dons in a domestic league game during the decade. And this was one of the best goals, Niall hammering home the second, after starting the move deep inside his own half. Niall’s great run also set up David Goodwillie for the second of his two goals.

10

03/02/16 | LADBROKES PREMIERSHIP ABERDEEN v CELTIC (2-1) PITTODRIE – ABERDEEN

Aberdeen breathed real life into the Premiership title race with this win in February. Jonny Hayes hit another unstoppable drive from 25 yards before Simon Church marked his debut with a goal when he bundled home from close range to make it 2-0 at Pittodrie. What a sensational atmosphere that night. Sadly Church and Rooney’s partnership was cut short because of an injury to Adam. What might have been if those two had been able to play together?

11

25/09/16 | LADBROKES PREMIERSHIP ABERDEEN v RANGERS (2-1) PITTODRIE – ABERDEEN

There was a lot of hype around this particular fixture but what a moment late on. A young 19-year-old on loan from Norwich, stood over a free kick and proceeded to curl the most beautiful strike over the wall, off the post and into the net. James Maddison had announced himself to the world. Wonder what happened to that lad?

12

31/03/17 | LADBROKES PREMIERSHIP DUNDEE V ABERDEEN (0-7) DENS PARK – DUNDEE

Everyone at Dens was willing Andrew Considine to get his hat-trick, but I don’t think any of us could believe what we were seeing when it did actually happen. Andy rightly got the headlines after becoming the only AFC defender ever to score three in a game, but what a performance from Kenny McLean that night. The midfielder certainly deserves an honourable mention in our review. What a beautiful footballer he was on his day. A real hunger to go with it as well.

13

22/04/17 | WILLIAM HILL SCOTTISH CUP HIBERNIAN v ABERDEEN (2-3) HAMPDEN PARK – GLASGOW

Aberdeen reached the Scottish Cup final for the first time in 17 years with victory over holders Hibernian. Adam Rooney pounced on a defensive mix-up to put the Dons ahead only 12 seconds after kick-off. The Dons had to dip deep that afternoon after giving up a two goal lead but they showed real character. Sadly it was not to be in the final, this team deserved to win a trophy. The week leading up to the final was very special though and brought the city and club together.

14

17/05/17 | LADBROKES PREMIERSHIP RANGERS v ABERDEEN (1-2) PITTODRIE – ABERDEEN

Ryan Christie celebrates his goal with his team-mates as Aberdeen secure their first win at Ibrox since 1991. Graeme Shinnie drove forward brilliantly to score the first, chances were then missed before Christie’s header all but secured the win. The result at Ibrox ensured the Pittodrie side will finish second to Premiership winners Celtic for the third season running.

15

27/07/17 | EUROPA LEAGUE QUALIFYING ABERDEEN v APOLLON LIMASSOL (2-1) PITTODRIE – ABERDEEN

Graeme Shinnie is a special player. And a special person. Any of us who worked with him know that. A superb leader on and off the field. We had to put one of his moments into our list, so we picked this one, even although we did eventually go out in the second leg. As one player put it to me recently, we did not realise just how good Shinnie was until he was gone.

16

27/01/18 | LADBROKES PREMIERSHIP ABERDEEN v KILMARNOCK (3-1) PITTODRIE

It was one of those moments that you will be able to say that you were there. Scott McKenna’s hit from 40 yards will I am sure grow a few yards in distance every year – and by the time we are telling our grandkids about it he will be standing on Kings Street – but what a hit it was. The reaction of the Killie keeper, and Kenny McLean if you watch the goal back carefully, told the story. Wow.

17

13/05/18 | LADBROKES PREMIERSHIP CELTIC v ABERDEEN (0-1) CELTIC PARK – GLASGOW

Aberdeen became the first Scottish team to inflict a home defeat on Brendan Rodgers’ Celtic as the Dons secured second place in the Premiership. Derek McInnes’ side finish as runners-up for a fourth year in a row thanks to Andrew Considine’s second-half strike. Fitting it was Andrew, he has been the AFC player of the decade after picking up the Player of the Year award in two separate seasons.

18

02/08/18 | UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE SECOND QUALIFYING ROUND 2ND LEG BURNLEY V ABERDEEN (3-1 AET) (4-2 AGG) TURF MOOR – BURNLEY

For a decade, even far longer, we have been told by those down south that the English Premiership is the best League in the world and how poor ours is. A generation of Scottish kids have been wearing Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea kits. We matched a quality Burnley side over 180 minutes and could have won it towards the end of normal time at Turf Moor. Lewis’ overhead kick though will live long in the memory. As will the noise when Gary Mackay-Steven’s penalty hit the net at Pittodrie.

19

28/10/18 | BETFRED CUP SEMI FINAL ABERDEEN V RANGERS (1-0) HAMPDEN PARK – GLASGOW

All the talk leading up to the game in the west coast had been the Dons ticket sales. Aberdeen had the last laugh. After a really strong defensive performance, Lewis Ferguson rose brilliantly to meet Niall McGinn’s superb corner and plant a header passed Allan McGregor.

20

12/03/19 | WILLIAM HILL SCOTTISH CUP QUARTER – FINAL REPLAY RANGERS V ABERDEEN IBROX – GLASGOW

What a disciplined, organised and hard working performance this was from start to finish. Aberdeen stunned Rangers (again) in their Scottish Cup last-eight replay. Connor McLennan slotted home the second midway through the second half, a really well worked goal, to earn a second victory at Ibrox for the visitors last season. What a pass from Stevie May. The result meant Aberdeen, who drew 1-1 with Rangers at Pittodrie to take the game to a replay, have lost just once against Steven Gerrard side in six meetings, and have knocked their rivals out of both domestic cup competitions.