Aberdeen v Celtic: Their three best League Cup final victories
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This year sees the Scottish League Cup final return to its traditional autumn slot. That means in a twist of fate, 2016 will have seen two of these particular showpieces. It’s set up to be a classic between Aberdeen and Celtic, and each side have experienced plenty of success in the competition down the years.
Between them the two sides have claimed 21 League Cup successes, including one each in the last three years.
And ahead of this weekend’s contest at Hampden Park, we’ve taken a little trip down memory lane…
Aberdeen 2-1 Celtic (AET) – November 6, 1976
The Dons will be hoping for a repeat result 40 years on from their second League Cup success.
Nearly 70,000 were in attendance at Hampden as goals from Aberdeen legends Drew Jarvie and Dave Robb saw off Jock Stein’s Celtic after extra-time.
Aberdeen 3-0 Hibernian – October 27, 1985
Among the glut of trophies the Dons won under Alex Ferguson, this was the sole League Cup success.
Hibernian were swept aside 3-0 as Aberdeen won the Cup without conceding a single goal.
Aberdeen 0-0 Inverness (Aberdeen won 4-2 on penalties) – March 16, 2014
It may not have been a classic final, but the League Cup success two years ago will always be remembered fondly by the Dons faithful.
After a stalemate throughout the ninety minutes and extra-time, Aberdeen held their nerve in the shootout to end an agonising 19-year-wait for a trophy.
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Celtic 6-2 Hibernian – April 5, 1969
The fourth in a five-year domination of the League Cup saw Celtic destroy Hibs at Hampden.
The highlight was a stunning hat-trick for club legend Bobby Lennox.
And unfortunately for the Edinburgh side, they would lose heavily again five years later, going down 6-3 to the Bhoys in 1974.
Celtic 3-0 Dundee United – November 30, 1997
In the season when Celtic ended Rangers’ nine-year League-winning streak, the Hoops claimed early success with the League Cup.
Marc Rieper put Wim Jansen’s men ahead, before goals from Henrik Larsson and Craig Burley sealed the win over Dundee United. Like Aberdeen in 1985, Celtic didn’t concede once on their victorious run.
Celtic 2-0 Rangers (AET) – March 15, 2009
A tense and heated encounter between these two rivals couldn’t be resolved in the opening 90 minutes, but Darren O’Dea needed just one minute in extra-time to put Celtic ahead.
The cup was sealed in dramatic fashion in the final minute of the additional period, when Kirk Broadfoot was sent off and Aiden McGeady tucked home the spot-kick.
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