Dons legend Drew Jarvie recently celebrated his 70th birthday. He played 386 competitive games for the Dons, scoring 131 goals, an outstanding record considering he played many of his games in a deeper role.

A record signing from Airdrie in 1972, when he was already a Scotland international, Drew played a massive role in helping the Dons win the League Championship in 1980 – he scored some vital goals at vital times along the way – and before then also helped the Dons to win the League Cup against all the odds in 1976.

Drew spoke to Andrew Shinie at length about his career and the 76’ Cup campaign. To watch the interview in full please click on the red button.

 

1976

The final against Celtic did not start too well for Drew in-particular.

“I still say to this day I know Kenny Dalglish was trying to turn me and I put my leg out. Kenny tried to roll me with that big backside of his and fell over my leg. It was never a penalty. If they had the technology they have nowadays I’m pretty sure they would have showed it was never a penalty. Thankfully it worked out ok in the end.”

“It did work out thanks to Drew grabbing an equaliser with a trademark header. Although they got ‘battered’ for much of the game Celtic failed to score and super sub Davie Robb popped up with a late winner in extra time.

“The goal that I scored in the League Cup final, Arthur Graham went down the right hand side and Joe was in the middle. He adjusted to the back post and played it back and he knew I was coming in and I headed it into the net. There’s not many strikers would have done that and Joe was just so intelligent football wise. He was brilliant player and definitely the best player that I had played with.

“When I look back there were special goals and that one was a special one. I got one in the cup final and that was the first time I had won anything in senior football. It was nice to get a goal in the semi and then nice to get one in the final as well.

“The celebrations in the city were great afterwards. I remember the open top bus parade and seeing Jim Hermiston, standing there, he was now a policeman. He had been a really fine player for us but, with a family coming along, he decided to join the police. It was good to have him with us that day.”

Parallels between now and then

“I was looking and thinking about the team that played in 1976 final and then looked at the current Aberdeen team and there are similarities there between the two sides.

“At that time, we had a real attacking team with players like Dom Sullivan and Arthur Graham in the wider areas, full backs like Stuart Kennedy and Billy Williamson and up front we had two top quality strikers in Jocky Scott and Joe Harper. You look at the team today we’ve got Shay Logan at right back, Max Lowe at left back, who are two attacking full backs then McGinn and Mackay-Steven on the other side looking to go forward so there are similarities there. What two are going to be in the middle I’m not sure, but there’s plenty options up front as well.

“I would say to the players to go down and not be frightened.

“Give it your all.

“They’ve done the same as we did in the semi-final. They beat Rangers at Hampden and they must get a big lift from that and believe in themselves. Don’t be frightened to take the ball and start the way they started against Rangers as I think they were quite positive at the start of the game. Celtic are a good side and they’ve got quality players in the team so if you sit back and let them play, you’ll find it hard.

“I think if they go down and have a go and believe in themselves then they could get a result.

“Hopefully it’ll be the same as 1976.

“I wish Derek, Tony and all the players all the best and hopefully they can bring the cup home. I’d love to see it again.”