As we start our countdown to Saturday, the 50th anniversary of the 1970 Scottish Cup final victory over Celtic, we look back at how the Dons were building up to the final.

It was not all going to plan ….

MAGIC OF THE CUP

Back in 1970 the Dons were struggling in the old 18-team top flight settling for a mid-table position after a series of inconsistent results.

Manager Eddie Turnbull had changed his side that season, adopting a more methodical approach. While that transition made for some poor results, it was in the Scottish Cup that history beckoned for the class of 1970…

SAINTS HOLD DONS

After an impressive 3-0 win at Partick the Dons were left with a series of midweek league games.

They were first frustrated by a St Johnstone side that settled for a hard-earned point on a snow covered Pittodrie.

The rock-hard surface made for a poor game and the unusual sight of a yellow ball did little to enthuse the sparse home crowd. Aberdeen dominated for long spells but were left to rue a succession of missed chances. Martin Buchan scored a late winner against Ayr and he almost repeated that feat, but his shot went just over in the final minute.

St Johnstone were happy to defend and take a point to ease their relegation worries. Manager Turnbull was left angry at full time; “We looked to have control of the game in what was difficult conditions, but our finishing was poor. It is all well and good creating chances, but we have to take them.”

Aberdeen: Clark, Boel, Murray G, Petersen, McMillan, Buchan M, McKay, Robb, Forrest, Hamilton, Buchan G

DONS LOSE OUT AT HOME

A week later as Aberdeen prepared for their Scottish Cup semi-final against Kilmarnock, third place Hibernian visited Pittodrie and effectively mugged the home side by taking both points.

Aberdeen were on top for long spells as manager Turnbull resisted the opportunity to rest some of his players before the cup tie.

The last thing Aberdeen wanted was a physical encounter, but the visitors were intent on making it as tough as possible with some bruising challenges.

Aberdeen had one eye on Muirton Park, and they were undone by two goals in four first half minutes. The opener was controversial as Tom McMillan was adjudged to have fouled in the box.

The penalty was converted by McBride. Four minutes later Hibernian captain Peter Cormack took advantage of a poor Buchan pass to score a second for the visitors. It was all eyes now on the cup.

Aberdeen: Clark, Boel, Murray G, Petersen, McMillan, Buchan M, McKay, Robb, Forrest, Hamilton, Harper

McKAY MAGIC

In the build up to the game it became clear that the Dons would have a huge following to Perth.

Muirton Park was the home of St Johnstone and the choice of venue delighted Aberdeen. For once it was a neutral venue in the true sense and the indications that Aberdeen would be backed in huge numbers proved correct.

Special trains were laid on to take thousands of the Dons supporters through for the game. There were almost 18,000 Aberdeen supporters at the old ground, and it was Derek McKay who once again popped up with the only goal of the game to send Aberdeen through to the final.

This was no stylish performance from the Dons—far from it, as Aberdeen had to withstand a second half barrage from Kilmarnock as they peppered the Aberdeen defence at every opportunity. Kilmarnock were a side that excelled in the 1960’s; league winners in 1965 and experienced European campaigners.

Aberdeen had the measure of them as the Dons knocked the Ayrshire club out of the cup for the second season in succession. Derek McKay, who had only come into the side in the quarter final after flu had decimated the Dons squad, was becoming the Dons Scottish Cup lucky charm.

The experience that the Dons were gaining by defending deep and hitting teams on the break would surely help as they would expect more of the same in the final. As expected, Celtic eased past Dundee in the other semi-final to set up a meeting with Aberdeen.

Aberdeen: Clark, Boel, Murray G, Hermiston (Buchan G), McMillan, Buchan M, McKay, Robb, Forrest, Hamilton, Harper

RECORD SIGNING

In the days when there were no transfer windows, Aberdeen strengthened their squad by shelling out a then club record fee of £50,000 to take Dundee captain Steve Murray to Pittodrie.

Murray had been targeted for several weeks but the Dens Park club would not sell their prized asset until they were eliminated from the cup.

Following the semi-final results, the transfer was then completed. Murray of course was cup-tied and ineligible to play for Aberdeen in the Final. Murray came through the ranks at Dens and was one of the most sought-after players in Scotland at the time.

The fee was more than the previous club record of £40,000 paid to Morton for Joe Harper earlier in that same season. Murray was a midfielder of real class and his signing was a statement of intent by Aberdeen.

Murray was delighted to make the move north; “I am glad it is all settled. I knew of Aberdeen’s interest for a while, so it was dragging on a bit. I was impressed by the manager and the way he wants me to fit into the team. I am looking forward to the challenge.”

DONS HELD BY SAINTS

Following their heroics against Kilmarnock the Dons came up against a St Mirren side in what was their third midweek home game in a row.

With the Dons settled in mid table, all attentions were focused on the Scottish Cup Final. St Mirren were battling for survival, so they looked the team with more to play for.

Steve Murray made his debut and he showed enough to suggest that he would be a real asset to the Dons midfield. The Dons had a settled look about them and manager Turnbull was keen to get his tactics right for the final.

The league games building up to the big day would provide plenty of opportunities to experiment with the formation. An own goal from Tom McMillan gave the visitors the lead. Dave Robb levelled in 37 minutes.

Aberdeen: Clark, Boel, Murray G, Murray S, McMillan, Buchan M, McKay, Robb, Forrest, Hamilton, Harper

FORREST ON FIRE

A rare Saturday game for the Dons in what was their fourth home game in a row.

On this occasion a 2-0 win over Dunfermline was welcome against a side that had arguably enjoyed their most successful period in their history. Two Jim Forrest goals were enough to give Aberdeen both points in a well-deserved victory. The most interesting topic among the Dons support was the substitute appearance of 17-year-old Arthur Graham, recently signed from Cambuslang Rangers in the Junior leagues. The game was a bad-tempered affair and Dunfermline’s Alex Edwards was sent off after protesting following the Dons second goal.

Aberdeen: Clark, Boel, Murray G, Murray S, McMillan, Buchan M, McKay, Robb, Forrest 2, Hamilton, Harper, Graham

CELTIC CHAMPERS ON ICE

The sight of crates of champagne at Parkhead was enough incentive for Aberdeen in what was a Cup Final rehearsal. Celtic needed two points to clinch the league championship, but Aberdeen had other ideas. Manager Turnbull gave Arthur Graham his first full start and the young winger was inspired as he laid on the first goal for George Murray and audaciously headed home a second for the Dons in 65 minutes. The 2-1 win showed Celtic that Aberdeen would offer a real challenge in the Final. The party was on hold for Celtic as the huge crowd were left in shock. This was the Dons first win over Celtic in 13 matches since January 1966. Aberdeen’s last win at Parkhead was in season 1962.63. It was a significant win for Aberdeen and the ring of confidence that was evident at Pittodrie was soon to bring success.

Aberdeen: Clark, Boel, Murray G, Murray S, McMillan, Buchan M, McKay, Hermiston, Forrest, Willoughby, Graham

MINDS ELSE WHERE?

The three final games before the final very nearly all ended in defeat.

Three days after beating Celtic, Aberdeen went down to two second half goals at Dundee United as the cup final was now only two weeks away. It was really concerning that they could not put two decent performances together back to back.

The following Saturday the Dons lost 1-0 at home to Hearts after a really poor performance.

Joe Harper had been in the reserves for weeks, so should he recalled?

Well he was for the final game before the final.

Aberdeen drew 2-2 with Kilmarnock on a Monday night, only salvaging a draw thanks to a late equaliser from Arthur Graham when his cross landed up in the net.

The good news: Joe Harper played well which would confirm his place in the cup final team.

The bad news: Alex Willoughby’s injury in the final game against Kilmarnock would keep him out of the final. A very cruel blow to a hugely talented player.

The Dons were ready ….