The Scottish League Cup Final - Aberdeen v Inverness Caledonian Thistle Sportscene


The Scottish League Cup Final - Aberdeen v Inverness Caledonian Thistle

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Football makes its mark in history in many ways. The most enduring are

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etched in silver. The last trophy for Aberdeen was 18 years ago. A

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European cup winners cup. For the titles. Scottish league cups.

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Scottish cups. Then nothing but pain and disappointment. 20 years ago,

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Inverness Caley Thistle did not even exist, against all the odds, a new

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team was formed, fighting from the bottom to the top, making their mark

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as giant killers. Derek McGuinness is firing up Aberdeen once again.

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Passionate and exciting. Hoping to reshape history. John Hughes is

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determined to lead Inverness Caley Thistle to their greatest ever

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achievement, with a never say die team. Who will make their mark

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today? Both teams searching for silverware. Celtic Park is the

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venue. Winning would be a special way to mark 20 years in existence

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for Inverness Caley Thistle. 1995 since Aberdeen at last put something

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in their trophy cabinet. They are the favourites at this time around.

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Hampden Stadium is a work in progress ahead of the Commonwealth

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Games. Unable to host cup finals, the Scottish Cup final be here in

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May, the league cup final is just 30 minutes away. The league cup will be

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won and lost for the 68th time. It has produced tales of the unexpected

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in recent years, Saint Mirren and Kilmarnock the latest names to

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appear on the trophy. Who will be next? We will know soon. The match

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is live on the BBC. I am joined by men who hold legendary status with

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the club is contesting today, Willie Miller and Charlie Christie. First,

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the all-important cup final team news. Mark McGhee is alongside Liam

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McLeod. We should get straight to the team

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news. There is a blow to Aberdeen. Peter Pawlett has been so

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influential and misses out. It is a blow for us all. I was

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looking forward to seeing him on this stage. A great young player,

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and a big this appointment. -- disappointment.

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Somebody had to miss out for Inverness, John Hughes delivered the

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news to Aaron Dorans. He does make the bench. It is a tactical

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decision. Congested midfield, try to stop Aberdeen too much possession.

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Danny Devine takes the place of Warren, suspended. Aberdeen are

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looking to win a trophy for the first time since 1995. A first ever

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major final four Caley Thistle. If we are to believe the bookmakers,

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you could just about hand Aberdeen the trophy. But things do not always

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work out the logical way. The thoughts of our pundits. A big blow

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for a player who has came through the Aberdeen system, and they blew

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to the team, because of the way he has been playing for them.

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Peter has had injury problems throughout his career. But it looked

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as if he would be OK for the final. For him personally, it must be

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really disappointing. And he has been instrumental in getting this

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team to the cup final. John Hughes will not be distraught. But an

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eyebrow raised regarding the Caley Thistle line-up, Aaron Dorans is not

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in the starting 11. It is to keep the game narrower, I think. He will

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be thinking of the 1-0 game at Pittodrie. The midfield was

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congested and that suited Thistle. Is part of the problem the fact that

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many people have handed Aberdeen the trophy already? That comes with the

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success, the relative success they have had already this season.

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Expectation gets higher and higher. You can see the with huge support

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they have brought today, there is a lot of expectation that they will

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lift the trophy. So far the players this season have done very well in

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dealing with that pressure. There is a Caley Thistle connection in the

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Aberdeen team. We spoke to a trio who would love to get the better of

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their old team. Aberdeen was once the place to be in

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terms of Scottish football silverware. Now former Inverness

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Caley Thistle players are planning their own masterpiece.

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There is no point in settling for just a semifinal. You want to win

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things. That is what the manager reminds us, this isn't good enough,

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keep going, keep regressing. If you want to be an Aberdeen player, get

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two finals and when finals and a regular occasion, eventually

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challenge for the title. Derek McInnes has reignited a double act

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who are on fire at Pittodrie. The three of us linked up pretty well up

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there, with Richie Foran. The squad that is here as well, we have guys

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whose legs are nearly gone! And Willo Flood in the middle. Barry

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Robson's from all love affair truly began during the Alex Ferguson

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years. -- football love affair. I remember some great players that I

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watch with my dad and my uncles. Willie Miller, Alec McLeish, Gordon

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Strachan, who obviously I worked with after that. Aberdeen have been

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in that shadow for a lot of years. It is never easy to bring that

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success back, especially the way the modern game is going with money. But

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our researchers has been pretty good. The manager has devoted

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everything to Scouting and things that are done in the background. We

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have legs, a lot pace, good ability spread throughout the team. When you

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combine all that with hard work, you have a real chance. The manager said

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we were a work in progress. We have done well getting to a cup final,

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and done well in the Scottish cup, but I still think there is a lot

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more to come. When you have the likes of Jonny Hayes, Niall McGinn,

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playing up here, Harry in the middle, Willo Flood, you feel that

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more than likely you will get a couple of chances every game. Myself

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and Adam won the first division with Inverness, but to win a League Cup,

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and to have the chance to do well at Scottish Cup these are very exciting

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times for Aberdeen. I am a lot older than these two. Hopefully they have

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years ahead to win things. I just cannot stress enough how good the

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feeling is when you do win things. Robson, Rooney, Hayes. They are

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attacking weapons for Aberdeen. How important is a strong and sturdy

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defence? Really important. Anderson and Reynolds have been outstanding

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at the heart of defence. I know Russell Anderson particularly well.

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A player developed by the club. He has gone on to great things, with

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Aberdeen, and when he made his move to Sunderland. They have a good

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understanding and blend with each other really well. And when they

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break, they break quickly. Well, they have pace, haven't they? And

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you have Niall McGinn as well, the strength of Adam Rooney added at the

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turn of the year, it makes them a formidable outfit going forward.

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Rooney is so fast to react. He is level with Frazer Wright went all

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wins the ball. But his reaction is quicker than the defender. As soon

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as she is in that position, you are confident he will score a goal for

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you. Aberdeen lacked that prior to him coming in. What strikes me about

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those pictures, defensively, and in attack, is the passionate about the

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club. -- passion. There is no doubt that there is real desire. And a lot

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of ability also. The blend of experience and youth, great energy

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throughout the team, and a desire, defensively, to keep clean sheets.

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They have done that magnificently this season. If Inverness Caley

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Thistle go forward and leave themselves exposed, Aberdeen can

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take advantage with the energy and quality they have going forward. And

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you worry about the absence of Warren, with all the attacking

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promise Aberdeen have. Apart from the last three league games, he has

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been terrific. There was a setback against Celtic and Dundee United,

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but he is a big miss for us. I think though it is in the midfield area

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where Thistle really need to work to get a result today. Looking outside,

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it is not quite simply red, but there is a Dons domination.

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We are the famous Aberdeen! Come on the Dons! Jonathan had a chat

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earlier on with three Aberdeen players. He has also had a foot in

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the Thistle camp. The rise of this club has been

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remarkable. Formed 20 years ago, they have risen through the ranks

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and allowing major force in Scottish all. -- football. They reached this

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final in the most remarkable way. Down to nine men! I came on and

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thought, just get a touch. It has gone in, incredible! I didn't really

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celebrate. I turned around and all the boys were running in different

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directions, seemed to not know what to do. But we were confident on

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penalties, we had practised the day before. Draper has sensationally

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sent nine man Thistle into the final! There were tears in our eyes.

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The player saw him much it meant to the manager. What kind of impact has

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he had? He told us what he wanted to do and why he was here. He has

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trained how -- changed how we train and play, but has not kicked any

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doors or punch Denny walls. It has been quite incredible from where

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Caley Thistle where 20 years ago, just coming into existence, did you

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ever think sorts of things would be possible at this club? When I first

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came in, just over five years, we had no full-time physiotherapist, no

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lunch after training, may be a part-time team,

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lunch after training, may be a it has changed massively,

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expectations about how well we can do, top six where we want to be. You

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seem settled, what is the best thing about being a player for Inverness

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Caley Thistle? the dressing room, great bunch of players, with

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manners, respect for each other, you do not have to shout and ball at

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them, they do that themselves. The best dressing room I have been in.

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How much is there between the two sides, a lot said about Aberdeen,

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but Inverness the team pushing Celtic harpist in the league? We

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have beat them at the tawdry, they have been as at home. Again, -- at

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Pittodrie Stadium. Again, we feel good. Aberdeen are favourites, but

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with that comes pressure. Many Aberdeen supporters going down the

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wanting to win the game, not happy unless they win the game. Our

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supporters will go down to join them no matter what happens. The Cup

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final, in my eyes, would be the biggest achievement I could ever

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make in my career. I do not know if I could make it to finals again, I

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do not know if I can, you never know, but we will give it 120%.

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20 goals for Billy McKay this season, really impressive, but only

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three since Christmas. But you take your eye off him at your peril. He

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is the most valuable player, without doubt. Sometimes, not moving too

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much in the box, finding little pockets to play in. To get 47 goals

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in two seasons is the nominal. -- phenomenal.

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This one is a fantastic finish, so quickly against Ross County, the

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ball coming across quickly, a great finish. Just a natural born

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finisher. It is all different types of strikes, such against Hearts

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here. Not just movement. But composure, huddling into the far

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corner. The second one against Hearts was even better. He is moving

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with the defender, all different types of goals, the confidence to

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hit balls in early, like Charlie was saying, he was a sign of a very good

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striker. And in tight areas, like the corners, the ball comes to them

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and he has that knack, something you cannot put a price on. You only have

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to listen to Richie Foran to understand the importance, a quiet

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menace about him. They would like two, one for central midfield, one

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up on. Such a vital part. And what Caley Thistle are about. They are

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about camaraderie, a willingness to work. He has an ability to both

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defend and attack. Whether he plays midfield, whatever,

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he is so versatile, and a huge personality and influence within

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that Caley Thistle squad. And John Hughes was without Richie Foran, and

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he has to tinker with the team and with the tactics and formation, and

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that will not be up everybody's Street. Yes, he even went with 4-2,

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going back to a four - 2-3-1 today. -- 4-2-3-1. Is a dot in the game has

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been held in high regard up north. -- his ability in the game. they

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have only been around for 20 years, first Cup final, more to this than

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the game, huge occasion foreign Burness who needs to enjoy this. --

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this is a huge occasion for Inverness. And there would be nice

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if there were more of their fans. Maybe 7500 here today. But it is a

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special day and they will be hoping for a happy ending. It is

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interesting to look back, Charlie, to the year 2000, when you had had a

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rather special Tuesday night here, when super Calle went ballistic that

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night. -- Caley. Is a disappointing to have so few fans? It is to me, I

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thought 10,000 would be unfeasible number, I take my heart of that

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matter take my hat off to the people coming down today. 40,000 is

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phenomenal for Aberdeen. But it is a big stepping stone for the club

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today, another rung on the ladder, and hopefully the next time we come

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to a Cup final will not be too far away and we will have in excess of

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10,000. The story of Caley Thistle is wonderful, I remember them as a

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Highland league team, and their chairman suggesting when the

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amalgamated and became Caley Thistle that they would play in the top tier

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one day and I remember having a little chuckle and I was probably

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wrong, he was right, in the Top Gear, top of the league, in the Cup

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final, quite an incredible 20 years. And it could be crowned today,

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whether the land there first major trophy, and major day for John

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Hughes and Derek McInnes, asked some questions.

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I know you hoped Peter Pawlett could be involved, not proven to be the

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case? No, even to the end of the week, we thought he would be fine.

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With the growing, -- groin, some training and nine the area -- some

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training and ideally again, but it was honest often to come forward,

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but a huge blow for Peter, for ourselves, as he has been a key

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player and up key part in getting is here. Disappointment is someone

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else's opportunity. But he will get the chance to play in other Cup

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finals. A sea of red at Celtic Park. What is your message to keep these

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bands Harvey-- keep these fans happy? Do your best, it is on the

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pitch we will win it, not because of fantastic backing. We can use that

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to inspire us, should relish that, and I think the players will brace

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that and help them perform better. But it is what is done on the

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pitch. The players performing, do things right, still the game as the

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same as any other, tough opponent in Inverness. All the best. Thank you.

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Aaron Doran on the bench, what was the tactic? All tactical. It is all

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tactical, the team is picked for the best intentions to win the football

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match. Fully, that will be the case. What will be your final words to the

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players trying to create some history? Have no regrets, but

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control your emotions, finishing with 11 players on the pitch. We

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want to get in tackles, and hopefully that will be the case, but

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control your emotions and have no regrets. All the best. -- all the

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best. Thank you. I am in the presence of greatness,

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the Aberdeen fans winging their will in the song, maybe you should

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conduct, how I view an Aberdeen fan but Schumacher how do the pre-match

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nerves compare? You always get a little update the food begins, big

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matches, but as a fan, I am pretty comfortable. -- you always get a

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little edgy before the football begins. But these people expect that

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trophy to go back to Aberdeen, but respect to Caley Thistle, are very

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good and strong side, putting up a strong side. If Aberdeen are at

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their best, they will win, but have to be at their best to beat a very

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good Inverness Caley Thistle said. Positive signs for the red Army,

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including some contract extensions by Derek McGinest and Tony Doherty.

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It has been worked well to get guys signed up all stop -- Derek McInnes.

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We have spoken a lot about expectation from Ike with and within

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Aberdeen, -- from outside Aberdeen. This is a massive game and also

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Charlie spoke about this being another rung on the ladder foreign

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Burness, huge for them as well, because if they can win this, who

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knows what stage they could progress and moved to. -- for Inverness. A

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lot riding on this. Widowed oversimplify it that, if this is a

:25:40.:25:45.

free flowing match, that would suit Aberdeen and Inverness would prefer

:25:46.:25:50.

it to be an ugly game? I can see where you are coming from, but not

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the differential between the sides people are making out. With Aberdeen

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being the bigger club, winning European trophies, the vast number

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of supporters, not a huge amount between the two clubs on the part.

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-- on the park. Aberdeen have they had a shot at goal in one previous

:26:14.:26:18.

game. But Aberdeen could tip the scales, but not by much. The games

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between them and a line that point. Absolutely, that game was a fine

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example of why Inverness deserve respect, playing exceptionally well,

:26:29.:26:33.

a lot of good football, just a slightly different line-up to what

:26:34.:26:38.

they have this afternoon. They outplayed Aberdeen and, on the

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night, I did not think that was possible, did not think Caley

:26:43.:26:45.

Thistle good iPlayer Aberdeen, and the team did, so that is a warning

:26:46.:26:52.

to Aberdeen. -- I did not think Caley Thistle could outplay. You get

:26:53.:27:01.

the impression John Hughes and Inverness will thrive on the

:27:02.:27:05.

underdog label. Hi-macro I think he likes to play up to that. I do not

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think it is a case of, if the game is crabby, it suits Inverness and

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Aberdeen supports open and expansive. -- is scrappy. Just the

:27:21.:27:28.

one to make sure that Aberdeen does not get the upper hand. It is League

:27:29.:27:38.

Cup final day and we are almost there.

:27:39.:27:44.

Football's most enduring memories are edged and silver. 18 years since

:27:45.:27:49.

their last trophy, Derek McInnes fires up Aberdeen once again,

:27:50.:27:54.

passionate and exciting. -- etched in silver. Formed just 20 years ago,

:27:55.:28:03.

John Hughes is determined to lead Inverness Caledonian Thistle to

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their greatest ever achievement with a spirited never say die team. The

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story will have another glorious chapter written! Aberdeen against

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Inverness Caledonian Thistle. Who will make their mark to date? The

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68th League Cup final, Aberdeen against Inverness Caley Thistle at

:28:27.:28:29.

Celtic Park, talking you through Mark McGhee and Liam McLeod.

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A wonderful atmosphere, a battle of the North, Aberdeen from the East

:28:38.:28:43.

against Inverness Caley Thistle of the Highlands, a battle of the

:28:44.:28:49.

League Cup, is it going up the A9 or A90 this evening? The road to

:28:50.:28:56.

Aberdeen is one it has been on five times before, not having the

:28:57.:29:01.

privilege for a while, the Dons the thug was excess of club in this

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competition despite almost a generation of supporters not knowing

:29:05.:29:08.

what it feels like to win silverware. -- the third most

:29:09.:29:14.

successful club. It has been season after season of anti-climax and

:29:15.:29:16.

disappointment. Russell Anderson would Richie Foran

:29:17.:30:01.

lost a cup final at Motherwell. They were hammered by Rangers. Russell

:30:02.:30:07.

Anderson is the only survivor from an Aberdeen last played in a cup

:30:08.:30:14.

final. They lost both cup finals that season. A stunning display from

:30:15.:30:24.

the Aberdeen support. 40,000 of them supporting their team. Unfortunately

:30:25.:30:34.

for them, there is no Peter Pawlett. He has been brilliant at this season

:30:35.:30:42.

but succumbs to an injury. Robson, Hayes, Rooney, up against their old

:30:43.:30:50.

team. Caley Thistle are without influential centre half Gary,

:30:51.:30:55.

suspended. Aaron Dorans will be disappointed not to start. Billy

:30:56.:31:01.

McKay has 20 goals this season, but just three since the tomb of the

:31:02.:31:11.

year. -- turn. Aaron Dorans does feature with the substitutes. The

:31:12.:31:19.

referee, 32-year-old Stephen Maclean. A first major final for

:31:20.:31:31.

him. This could be quite an afternoon. The last time these clubs

:31:32.:31:39.

met Aberdeen edged a seven goal thriller underneath the Caley

:31:40.:31:45.

Thistle Stadium floodlights. Jamie Langfield has kept 19 clean sheets

:31:46.:31:48.

of this season, what price another one today? And not bad at the other

:31:49.:31:57.

end either, 17 green shoots managed. -- clean sheets. Mark McGhee, what

:31:58.:32:07.

do you make of it? It has to be said, Inverness have a great

:32:08.:32:10.

following, but an outstanding effort from the Aberdeen fans. A

:32:11.:32:15.

recognition of how long they have waited for this data, round. -- this

:32:16.:32:26.

day to come around. The 68th Scottish League Cup final. A first

:32:27.:32:43.

for Inverness, Aberdeen 's 13th. Inverness have never gotten the

:32:44.:32:48.

better of Aberdeen in a cup tie. One draw, four losses. We are under at

:32:49.:33:07.

Celtic Park. -- underway. Jonny Hayes is already in the waters. --

:33:08.:33:17.

wars. He has gone over and landed on his shoulder. Hopefully nothing too

:33:18.:33:26.

serious, with just seconds gone. He is so influential for Aberdeen. His

:33:27.:33:33.

former team-mate at Caley Thistle, Adam Rooney has joined the team. But

:33:34.:33:42.

this does not look good for Hayes. She landed heavily on his shoulder.

:33:43.:33:48.

But he is sitting up now and it looks like he may recover. A great

:33:49.:33:53.

opportunity for these boys to make a reputation for themselves, but

:33:54.:33:59.

themselves in the history books. Hayes could be the man to supply

:34:00.:34:11.

that. New deals signed at Aberdeen on Friday, adding a couple of years

:34:12.:34:16.

to the management's contracts. Good turn, looking for Rooney. Aberdeen

:34:17.:34:23.

beginning the game on the front foot. They got the ball forward from

:34:24.:34:35.

the throw-in, the shot was wayward, but a good positive start for

:34:36.:34:43.

Aberdeen. The Dons were victorious on this ground just a month ago,

:34:44.:34:53.

knocking Celtic of the Scottish cup. -- out of. Back to back 5-0 defeat

:34:54.:35:10.

for Inverness and recently for the first time in their history. Vincent

:35:11.:35:20.

has got the nod ahead of Dorans today. A first touch of the ball for

:35:21.:35:29.

one of the old heads, Robson. Russell Anderson. Jonny Hayes is

:35:30.:35:37.

back on and moving freely. Just outside your picture. Anderson takes

:35:38.:35:47.

the high road, looking for Rooney. Onto the chest of Niall McGinn. They

:35:48.:35:55.

composed figure in the Aberdeen midfield, Reynolds. Jonny Hayes

:35:56.:36:07.

really is struggling with that shoulder. At times Billy McKay has

:36:08.:36:15.

looked detached from the rest of the team. Marley Watkins for Thistle. A

:36:16.:36:24.

first for a deep into Aberdeen territory. -- foray. Raven. Tansey.

:36:25.:36:38.

Scorer of a wonderful goal against Heart of Midlothian. His second

:36:39.:36:48.

spell at the club. Reynolds, trying to shepherd McKay. Back towards

:36:49.:36:58.

Langfield. Jamie Langfield will be happy with that early touch of the

:36:59.:37:02.

ball. He has now thrown it out of play. Jonny Hayes is really

:37:03.:37:08.

struggling. It looks like it could be game over. Another serious blow.

:37:09.:37:19.

They already lost Peter Pawlett. This is the confirmation. There is

:37:20.:37:24.

no way you can continue today. Cammie Smith is the most likely

:37:25.:37:29.

replacement for the Irishman, Hayes. What a serious blow. Tragic for the

:37:30.:37:38.

lad himself. He has started with enthusiasm, going for a ball he

:37:39.:37:42.

probably did not need to go for. And he is going to go off. What a blow

:37:43.:37:47.

for the team, and a shame for the Blair himself. -- player. You can

:37:48.:38:02.

see he is visibly upset. Cammie Smith will come on, he was excellent

:38:03.:38:08.

against Dumbarton last week. He will have been disappointed not to start,

:38:09.:38:13.

but he is as good as doing that now, coming on just five minutes into the

:38:14.:38:25.

game. Shades of Eoin Jess, coming on as a substitute in the League Cup

:38:26.:38:32.

final in 1995, just 18 years of age. -- 1989. He was set up for a shot,

:38:33.:38:40.

he might have hit the target, but you see the importance of getting

:38:41.:38:46.

somebody close to Adam Rooney. I feel he is too far away from the

:38:47.:38:51.

rest of his team already, whereas Niall McGinn is getting close to

:38:52.:38:54.

Rooney, and that will be important for Aberdeen. The last time Aberdeen

:38:55.:39:02.

were in a major cup final they lost a player to injury in the early

:39:03.:39:06.

minutes, it was the last game ever for club legend Jim Leighton. That

:39:07.:39:16.

jinx has struck again. They cannot let it play on their minds. Cammie

:39:17.:39:24.

Smith will have sat on the bench thinking, maybe I will get a run out

:39:25.:39:28.

in the second half, but instead he has the whole game. Aberdeen must

:39:29.:39:33.

now go on with the same determination with which they

:39:34.:39:43.

started. Shinnie, and Aberdonian. Caley Thistle player, formerly of

:39:44.:39:58.

Birmingham City. Divine. -- Devine. Watkins under pressure from

:39:59.:40:05.

Considine, drag all the way from his left back position. He did well to

:40:06.:40:11.

win and that free kick, he was not favourite. He did well to get

:40:12.:40:25.

himself the free kick. Caley Thistle know that they can blow the Aberdeen

:40:26.:40:32.

feel-good factor to bits today. All the pressure has been on the Dons

:40:33.:40:36.

since they made it to this showpiece occasion. Flood clears it.

:40:37.:40:50.

McKay. Again, he manages to find Shinnie. Good play by Barry Robson.

:40:51.:41:17.

Devine, who Got 25 minutes when John Hughes made a change, taking Gary

:41:18.:41:21.

Warren off, knowing that he would lay in his absence. -- play.

:41:22.:41:36.

Heavy with the touch. Now it is McKay. Not the ideal ball to Draper

:41:37.:41:42.

but it might still come to Watkins... Anderson is they are. And

:41:43.:41:51.

a good job he was, McKay was waiting for the scraps. Just a little bit

:41:52.:42:07.

complacent. A good opportunity. The first opportunity for the

:42:08.:42:11.

Highlanders. Langfield organising the defence. McGinlay for Aberdeen.

:42:12.:42:21.

The Dons are one of the best counterattacking teams in the

:42:22.:42:27.

country. Good challenge by Raven, the pressure is off.

:42:28.:42:42.

Lots of people have Aberdeen down as favourites today. Some feel they

:42:43.:42:49.

might crumble under the expectation of the sheer number of fans. I don't

:42:50.:42:57.

think that is the case. We heard the players talking before the game,

:42:58.:43:00.

there is a really positive attitude with the players and management.

:43:01.:43:11.

Logan. Flood. Jack. Assessing his options. That was clever, if you can

:43:12.:43:20.

get there. He wanted a run from Considine as well. Probably the

:43:21.:43:30.

defender was entitled to stop him. He did not quite make the full

:43:31.:43:34.

distance, but I great idea, great little money. -- dummy. If this game

:43:35.:43:46.

goes all the way to extra time, Aberdeen have won the less change

:43:47.:43:52.

they can make. Yes, but they will be hoping to win in 90 minutes, not

:43:53.:43:56.

worrying too much about extra time at this stage. He is an important

:43:57.:44:03.

player and a source of chances, a maker of goals. That is more of a

:44:04.:44:10.

blow than whether they can bring somebody on during the last half

:44:11.:44:11.

hour. Certainly, Inverness at this stage

:44:12.:44:33.

are not showing any nerves. There is no lack of structure to their game,

:44:34.:44:37.

they have set themselves up in a certain way and are doing well at

:44:38.:44:45.

the moment. Through to Watkins, but Considine clears. Devine. Always a

:44:46.:44:53.

good place to give away a free kick, the halfway line. Let the centre

:44:54.:45:02.

forward now you are there. We spoke about the need to be physical in

:45:03.:45:06.

this game, the Aberdeen players can expect to be tackled. Shaleum Logan,

:45:07.:45:20.

on loan from Bedford. Pressing for Inverness so far.

:45:21.:45:33.

Not a bad ball from Cammy Smith. A fabulous Ball, almost onto the

:45:34.:45:43.

penalties but, Smith arriving, maybe the wrong, you would have liked to

:45:44.:45:49.

see Rooney on that, but a terrific break down the left-hand side, and a

:45:50.:45:54.

good ball from Ryan Jack, as well as Andrew Considine. Inverness with the

:45:55.:46:00.

first chance, no they are equalling chances. Derek McInnes looking for a

:46:01.:46:06.

piece of silverware in his first full season. He has not been in

:46:07.:46:16.

charge even a year, after replacing Craig Brown. What a job he has done

:46:17.:46:26.

in the subsequent almost 12 months. The towering draper against Jack. --

:46:27.:46:35.

Draper. You saw him already with a free kick. The one that blocked. He

:46:36.:46:42.

is a threat, someone taking up Aberdeen's attention in their own

:46:43.:46:46.

box, and could be a danger to Aberdeen this afternoon.

:46:47.:46:59.

Derek McInnes said the best 25 minutes for Aberdeen this season

:47:00.:47:12.

came against the match against Inverness. Aberdeen scored in the

:47:13.:47:19.

second half, taking it to 4-3. A 20 minute spell when Aberdeen scored

:47:20.:47:23.

for macro goals when Inverness could get nowhere near them. -- scored

:47:24.:47:31.

four goals. An easy one that time for Reynolds.

:47:32.:47:44.

Willo Flood, looking ever so well. A good challenge thereby Ross Draper.

:47:45.:47:57.

-- there by. Inverness midfielder getting close to Aberdeen. Doing

:47:58.:48:02.

brilliantly to win it back, then passing it straight back to Willo

:48:03.:48:07.

Flood, they need to keep the ball for longer, Inverness, using up

:48:08.:48:09.

energy trying to get it back. One thing Adam does for Aberdeen,

:48:10.:48:26.

that outlet, not wearing number nine, but a classic number nine.

:48:27.:48:34.

Absolutely, pushing the back four, stretching them. That was not a bad

:48:35.:48:42.

ball, if Watkins could just have got there. The Inverness back four being

:48:43.:48:50.

forced to go deeper, creating space in the midfield, giving opportunity

:48:51.:48:54.

for midfield players to support and get our word. A very important

:48:55.:48:56.

player for them Adam. Jamie Langfield there. Another major

:48:57.:49:09.

appearance. John Hughes watching on, hoping his

:49:10.:49:43.

team can draw first blood from this James Vincent corner kick. This is

:49:44.:49:53.

where Draper is effective, not only winning it, but blocking for others.

:49:54.:50:00.

Vincent, surrounded by red and white, and it was a handball, and it

:50:01.:50:04.

was off Draper. I think it was. Willo Flood protesting his innocence

:50:05.:50:27.

there. The early injury was a disappointment for everyone, I

:50:28.:50:31.

think, but the game has started well, played at a tempo, both sets

:50:32.:50:38.

looking like they want to win the game, sometimes there can be a fear

:50:39.:50:44.

of losing, but both teams up but it. It has the makings of a great game.

:50:45.:50:56.

Josh Meekings with the kick, but it ended up too close to the keeper.

:50:57.:51:02.

Willo Flood and Jamie Langfield dealing with what has been thrown at

:51:03.:51:07.

them, just double-cross balls. Who will blink first? -- just simple

:51:08.:51:12.

cross balls. Nice play that time from Mark

:51:13.:51:42.

Reynolds. Aberdeen want to play from the back, but Inverness coming on,

:51:43.:51:47.

and then the likes of Mark Reynolds is forced to play a longer ball,

:51:48.:51:52.

meaning at this stage, leaving that, letting Jamie Langfield kick the

:51:53.:51:56.

ball, because after that first ball out to the back four, Aberdeen

:51:57.:52:02.

putting themselves under pressure. I would let Jimmy Lange field kicking

:52:03.:52:05.

the ball and starting with Adam Rooney. -- Jamie Langfield kicking

:52:06.:52:15.

the ball. Aberdeen's 28th major final. Anderson is there from

:52:16.:52:24.

Russell Anderson, but Reynolds was there -- a snip from. Who is

:52:25.:52:33.

handling it better just now? I think it is even Stevens. The tactic John

:52:34.:52:38.

Hughes has given to close Aberdeen down is working, at times Aberdeen

:52:39.:52:44.

nipping it back, being patient, looking dangerous, Aberdeen going

:52:45.:52:47.

forward, looking good on counter attack. Both teams approaching it

:52:48.:52:53.

slightly differently. But both making good chances, opportunities

:52:54.:52:54.

to score, but it is even Stephen. Watkins with a challenge again,

:52:55.:53:12.

resulting in an Aberdeen free kick. Every outfield Aberdeen player in

:53:13.:53:15.

Inverness territory. Ryan Jack taking it, doing well. Trying to

:53:16.:53:19.

keep it going. Trying to clip it through there for

:53:20.:53:59.

Rooney. Robson having to be really up against Billy McKay. One there

:54:00.:54:04.

working in Caley Thistle's favour. I think the fans the pace of McKay up

:54:05.:54:14.

against Russell Anderson. -- the fans see the pace. David Raven,

:54:15.:54:23.

started his career at Liverpool. Making their way there through the

:54:24.:54:41.

red and white balloons. Good controlled by Barry Robson.

:54:42.:55:04.

Just trying to angle it out towards Robson. Devine taking the chances

:55:05.:55:16.

there. -- taking no chances. A great time from Shaleum Logan. --

:55:17.:55:21.

turn. Barry Robson, Ryan Jack, already,

:55:22.:55:36.

you can see one of them possibly the key to unlocking Inverness, making

:55:37.:55:43.

one of those passes. Robson got it back, but got very late by Richie

:55:44.:55:49.

Foran, and the referee wanting to speak to their Caley Thistle

:55:50.:55:55.

captain. I do not think there was any intent there, just the change

:55:56.:56:01.

that caught him out. A word of warning for Foran. For this. No

:56:02.:56:11.

contact of note, but it is a free kick. Has reversed the ball towards

:56:12.:56:17.

the right-hand side, on his left foot, anticipating him going out the

:56:18.:56:21.

other side, sliding underneath them, but no contact. Jack leaves it for

:56:22.:56:27.

Robson. Is it over? It was! Goal-line

:56:28.:56:46.

technology, I am afraid, looking like it was going straight then, of

:56:47.:56:50.

the post, off the line, good defending. -- off the post. It

:56:51.:56:57.

looked at one point as if it had crossed the line.

:56:58.:57:08.

Never crossed the line, am afraid. No debate, Aberdeen come again, the

:57:09.:57:23.

first corner, Anderson... That was a chance, two free kicks, Ryan Jack

:57:24.:57:29.

taking one, Robson the other, Mark Reynolds winning both headers, dine

:57:30.:57:39.

with a great chance. -- down with. This might like a fire under this

:57:40.:57:43.

League Cup I know, not a great clearance, Dean Brill getting away,

:57:44.:57:51.

Anderson then of the post, Richie Foran was there, but of the post. .

:57:52.:58:00.

It was going to hit the side netting. As it came across the line,

:58:01.:58:05.

they looked surprised, but it stayed out and they managed to clear it.

:58:06.:58:10.

Russell Anderson scored a goal against Celtic earlier in the

:58:11.:58:15.

season, a wonderful volley, almost at it again there.

:58:16.:58:24.

Robson has caught Foran again, this time Foran going into the book,

:58:25.:58:35.

lucky not to be sent off against Hibernian midweek. Like what was

:58:36.:58:41.

said about keeping your emotions and control, keeping your discipline.

:58:42.:58:46.

His left foot gives away under the surface, slipping and sliding under

:58:47.:58:51.

him, like the previous challenge, no intent, but catching him more that

:58:52.:58:56.

time. The referee had no choice but to book him. Loves the game against

:58:57.:59:01.

Aberdeen, very nearly an Aberdeen player, almost signed for them.

:59:02.:59:08.

There were issues surrounding Richie Foran at the time. He ended up with

:59:09.:59:15.

Motherwell instead before finding a home Caley Thistle. An Aberdeen free

:59:16.:59:22.

kick, Robson with it. Does not find a team-mate, which is unusual. The

:59:23.:59:29.

point is I thought it was Ryan Jack trying to get round the back, but

:59:30.:59:35.

was blocked by Draper, not able to get there in time. Try to take a

:59:36.:59:40.

free kick, but Ryan could not get on the end of it. Derek McInnes

:59:41.:59:45.

thinking his team had struck the first blow a few minutes ago, but

:59:46.:59:47.

hitting the post. Aberdeen are now 3-1 in chances.

:59:48.:00:17.

Inverness have had the ball across the six yard box, there have been

:00:18.:00:23.

opportunities already, and it does look like a game in which we will

:00:24.:00:37.

get goals. Waiting for movement. Devine, Tansey. Shinnie. Meekings,

:00:38.:00:58.

Could have missed the final himself. Had a red card downgraded to yellow.

:00:59.:01:17.

Willo Flood. Rooney. Meekings. Taking control. Quite an

:01:18.:01:25.

inexperienced centre half pairing. Certainly, not much first-team

:01:26.:01:33.

football for Meeking, they are both 21, he and Devine. But the other end

:01:34.:01:43.

with Marley Watkins. McKay. Went down, not happy with the referee,

:01:44.:01:50.

who had a good view of that. Flood, tracked by Shinnie. A terrific

:01:51.:01:58.

recovery. But Inverness really must be wary of Aberdeen on the

:01:59.:02:04.

counterattack. Some retribution on the Inverness skipper. Being told to

:02:05.:02:14.

calm down by the referee. For an really must be careful. Obviously he

:02:15.:02:22.

was booked. But he must keep his discipline, they don't want anybody

:02:23.:02:29.

sent off. Is this a foul? I don't think so. It breaks for Ross

:02:30.:02:51.

Draper. Watkins. Shinnie. , corner. Terrific run, you can see why he

:02:52.:02:57.

scores goals. It will be Shinnie to take. Lots of movement. Draper can

:02:58.:03:07.

keep it alive. Russell Anderson for company. Devine. Not living up to

:03:08.:03:23.

his name with that cross. It was a little bit hopeful. I go back to

:03:24.:03:28.

your question earlier, is it even Stevens? I think so, though Aberdeen

:03:29.:03:34.

have had the best chances, Inverness remain very much in this. Niall

:03:35.:03:54.

McGinn. Rooney. Shinnie is there. A shout for Anderson. Robson. Well

:03:55.:04:06.

played by Barry Robson. He is the influence that Aberdeen need on a

:04:07.:04:10.

day like this. The level he has played out, the games he has played

:04:11.:04:19.

in, a big influence on Aberdeen. Watkins, stepping away from

:04:20.:04:27.

Considine. A good couple of minutes for Inverness. We described Aberdeen

:04:28.:04:34.

is the good counterattacking team, but that had the makings of a good

:04:35.:04:37.

counterattack and they still have pressure on the Aberdeen back four.

:04:38.:04:51.

Marley Watkins, spent some of his youth career at Swansea and Chelsea.

:04:52.:05:07.

Draper. Good tenacity from Watkins. Brilliant from Jack. Sustained a

:05:08.:05:19.

head injury at Motherwell, came back earlier than expected. Doubts about

:05:20.:05:27.

whether he would be available for this showpiece. Robson. Rooney runs

:05:28.:05:37.

ahead. That was a decent idea, a diagonal run. He tried to just drop

:05:38.:05:45.

it short, but just did not get on the end of it. But a decent idea.

:05:46.:05:54.

Flood. Richie Foran. Devine. Vincent. He has looked like a good

:05:55.:06:06.

signing. Was injured for a couple of months, came back. He has found that

:06:07.:06:15.

little gap just in front of McKay. He has found a bit of space.

:06:16.:06:27.

Mark Reynolds. Considine to his left. McGinn. Decide to lay it off

:06:28.:06:53.

to Jack Logan. Flood is at close quarters. Watkins comes across.

:06:54.:06:59.

Battling with Willo Flood. Kept in by the Irishman. Smith.

:07:00.:07:10.

Niall McGinn. A lot of possession for Aberdeen, can they do anything

:07:11.:07:26.

with it? Logan. Rooney goes down, shake off the head from Stephen

:07:27.:07:33.

Maclean! A goal kick. I think he is right. I think he makes contact with

:07:34.:07:43.

the ball. He touches the ball and goes down, it is not a penalty kick.

:07:44.:07:54.

A great decision by the referee. Ten minutes to half-time. Lots of big

:07:55.:08:03.

decisions from the referee in the first half. A first major cup final

:08:04.:08:14.

for him. An awkward bounce for cancer diary. -- Considine. You

:08:15.:08:23.

don't want to give away unnecessary free kicks. Part of the armoury is

:08:24.:08:31.

getting Draper up there, creating pressure, hoping for a loose ball,

:08:32.:08:38.

and that is an absolutely unnecessary free kick were there

:08:39.:08:40.

needs to be a little bit more discipline in those situations.

:08:41.:08:50.

David Raven over this. Not the best delivery. Always favourite,

:08:51.:08:59.

Meekings. Flood. He was caught late by Richie

:09:00.:09:27.

Foran. Already been booked, remember. He needs to be very

:09:28.:09:36.

careful. None of the challenges I have seen from him have been any

:09:37.:09:41.

attempt at all. That really was a nothing one. He needs to be

:09:42.:09:44.

disciplined or he will catch someone again. You do not want to lose this

:09:45.:09:49.

game because you are down to ten men. Robson, Smith, Watkins the

:09:50.:10:05.

stronger of the two. Both managers will be looking at the moment,

:10:06.:10:08.

reasonably happy. Aberdeen might feel they should be in the lead by

:10:09.:10:15.

now, they have had the best chances. But generally both will be satisfied

:10:16.:10:20.

to be in the game. They have not shown any nerves, the game started

:10:21.:10:24.

quickly, the injury was a bit of a dampener, but since then, chances at

:10:25.:10:31.

both ends, a good cup final so far. It could go either way. Flood loses

:10:32.:10:38.

out to Watkins, now it is Richie Foran. A little bit too much for

:10:39.:10:45.

Vincent, who keeps it alive. Tansey. Finding Draper. Raven. Devine.

:10:46.:11:03.

Draper. Jack, pulled out of the tackle initially. Got it back in any

:11:04.:11:11.

case. Smith finds Jack. Both from the Pittodrie youth academy. And

:11:12.:11:22.

another from the youth academy, just longer ago, Russell Anderson.

:11:23.:11:33.

Anderson's first season at Aberdeen when a youngster, was the last time

:11:34.:11:36.

they won the silverware. Niall McGinn, going through the gears. To

:11:37.:11:45.

Smith. Robson. Tansey, ambitious. Flood again. Considine. Flood to

:11:46.:11:59.

Robson. A little shimmy from Robson, did not get the power on it.

:12:00.:12:07.

Rooney was following in. A good take. Another shot from Aberdeen. In

:12:08.:12:15.

the last ten minutes McGinn has become more influential, more

:12:16.:12:19.

active, even when he has not had the ball, across the front line, even

:12:20.:12:25.

coming deeper into his own half. He is becoming an influence in the

:12:26.:12:32.

game. Raven, Vincent, Draper, straight to Smith. Flood. Just over

:12:33.:12:43.

five minutes to half-time. Sometime will be added on for the injury to

:12:44.:12:52.

Jonny Hayes earlier. Robson, it came him last. -- came off. That 4-3

:12:53.:13:06.

Aberdeen victory in the Highlands was part of the build-up to a busy

:13:07.:13:10.

festive period. A game of two halves as they say. And victories for

:13:11.:13:15.

either team either side of that. Jack. The last three League Cup

:13:16.:13:46.

finals have been tight affairs. Rangers - Celtic, and then Saint

:13:47.:14:03.

Mirren against hearts... Is Dean Brill get something on ethics

:14:04.:14:13.

commission . He is a great defender who must release the Bologne little

:14:14.:14:20.

quicker. Let Flood Robson deal with the ball, pass the ball, get it

:14:21.:14:22.

wide. A shout for handball from the

:14:23.:14:40.

Aberdeen supporters against Raven. It matters not, they have the ball

:14:41.:14:51.

back. Jack, takes it down. Logan, for Robson. Inverness, every time

:14:52.:14:58.

Aberdeen get the ball, around about the halfway line, Inverness are in

:14:59.:15:07.

their faces, immediately. Good pressing from the Highlanders when

:15:08.:15:17.

they have not got the ball. When the Dons get to the half line -- halfway

:15:18.:15:24.

line, begins their campaign to get the ball back. A foul, Against

:15:25.:15:33.

Reynolds. Unnecessary, you have to be more disciplined, led the players

:15:34.:15:40.

go back to what is team, forced the ball back in there, do not force

:15:41.:15:48.

these unnecessary free kick. Will there be an opener before half-time?

:15:49.:15:55.

Draper joining the attack. Threat in the air. Devine and Foran in there

:15:56.:16:09.

as well. I saw one for Anderson there. No surprise, Richie Foran is

:16:10.:16:20.

involved. -- a sore one. Mark Reynolds has to be careful, giving

:16:21.:16:28.

away free kicks. That was too wide. One of them they will get right.

:16:29.:16:34.

They keep getting sight of it, one of those chances, they will get the

:16:35.:16:38.

ball. They need more discipline in these wider areas. Inverness fans of

:16:39.:16:45.

the other end of Celtic Park. Behind the goal of Dean Brill, two minutes

:16:46.:16:50.

added on at the end. Another free kick goes the way of the

:16:51.:16:55.

highlanders. Three minutes from the half-time whistle.

:16:56.:17:17.

Anderson towering over Billy McKay there. Devine, singing to handle the

:17:18.:17:28.

situation in the Cup final pretty well.

:17:29.:17:55.

Josh Meekings, was he got by Adam Rooney? Yes, he was. Confirmation

:17:56.:18:06.

given of stoppage time. If you are joining us, Jonny Hayes went off

:18:07.:18:11.

early in June, Aberdeen with an early chance, Inverness ending the

:18:12.:18:15.

first half pretty strongly. -- went off early injured. Wonderful

:18:16.:18:25.

challenge there from Willo Flood, claiming it perfectly, but Aberdeen

:18:26.:18:29.

giving it straight back to the Highlanders. A terrific tackle

:18:30.:18:37.

inside the box from Willo Flood, almost set the team of on a counter

:18:38.:18:42.

attack, but giving the ball away too quickly. When it came into the feet

:18:43.:18:48.

of McKay, a jazz to run with the ball, he took the ball, -- a chance

:18:49.:18:54.

to run with the ball. But not able to create the chance. Watkins

:18:55.:19:04.

looking for Raven, but fetched by Considine, the final minute of the

:19:05.:19:06.

first half. Setting Adam Rooney away, Devine is

:19:07.:19:25.

underneath it. Smith went for it, as did Meekings. McKay doing well to

:19:26.:19:32.

get that ball under control. Tansey was trying to get Watkins in

:19:33.:19:58.

behind Considine. And the half-time whistle. Derek McInnes heads up the

:19:59.:20:04.

tunnel immediately, facing a big blow early on when Jonny Hayes had

:20:05.:20:09.

to go off with a shoulder injury, Russell Anderson closest to breaking

:20:10.:20:12.

the deadlock today, a wonderful effort flash -- flush off the post.

:20:13.:20:23.

Anderson hooked it towards goal, Foran clear that of the line, Adam

:20:24.:20:28.

Rooney thought it was over, the half time in the Scottish League Cup

:20:29.:20:30.

final, nothing between them. Yes, the 2014 League Cup final is

:20:31.:20:44.

still goalless, of two a measurable start for Jonny Hayes and Aberdeen,

:20:45.:20:49.

almost glory for Russell Anderson. -- off to. One off the post, and no

:20:50.:20:57.

penalty said the referee after Adam Rooney hit the deck here at Central

:20:58.:21:05.

Park that wacko Celtic Park. 0-0 at the moment, let us get half-time

:21:06.:21:15.

thoughts. -- here at Celtic Park. Willie Miller, how do you think your

:21:16.:21:21.

old team have done Western Mac old team -- have done? Old team question

:21:22.:21:27.

right I think they have done well. Some cheap free kicks. We have

:21:28.:21:34.

looked good, some and tidy in the midfield, giving the ball away on a

:21:35.:21:38.

few occasions, which has not helped, but the game is quite

:21:39.:21:43.

tight. Not causing Jamie Langfield too many problems, but we need to do

:21:44.:21:47.

something creatively in the second half perhaps, but they should be

:21:48.:21:53.

happy defensively. Russell Anderson, he likes Celtic Park, scoring a

:21:54.:22:00.

magnificent ball down here not too long ago, and had the opportunity

:22:01.:22:05.

there, got it well, superb strike, little unfortunate it came off the

:22:06.:22:10.

post, I do not know why Richie Foran was on the other posts, he just

:22:11.:22:14.

happened to be there. Aberdeen has had the better chances. He played

:22:15.:22:20.

OK, but I am with Charlie, there is not much in the game. If you are an

:22:21.:22:25.

Inverness abortive, you would be happy. -- supporter. They are right

:22:26.:22:35.

in it. Absolutely, compared to last week, it is clear. They have

:22:36.:22:39.

stretched the game, working for them. Billy McKay has been a very

:22:40.:22:45.

effective one up front for them, holding it well, winning quite a few

:22:46.:22:49.

balls in the air, limiting Aberdeen in the final heard, the back four of

:22:50.:22:57.

Inverness and not having much to chase behind them. And with that

:22:58.:23:00.

these lost with Peter Pawlett missing before the game, and with

:23:01.:23:05.

Jonny Hayes injured in the first minute, has affected Aberdeen in

:23:06.:23:10.

terms of penetration. A real double blow to Aberdeen, beat Apollo before

:23:11.:23:15.

the match, then barely begun by the time Jonny Hayes went off.

:23:16.:23:21.

Absolutely, it is that these he is lacking now. These are the two quick

:23:22.:23:26.

players looking to get forward to support Rooney and they are not

:23:27.:23:31.

there. That is definitely lacking. Niall McGinn has gone off the boil

:23:32.:23:35.

recently as well, his form has not been as good, not been as affective

:23:36.:23:43.

as he should've been . But the huge blow for Aberdeen, not putting Caley

:23:44.:23:47.

Thistle under pressure, the pay is lacking, and major concern to Derek

:23:48.:23:52.

McInnes, I would imagine. Chat outside will be about the penalty

:23:53.:23:58.

decision, and most of us were in two minds. You're not, Michael?

:23:59.:24:03.

No doubt, this is a penalty. It is last week when Adam Gunning was

:24:04.:24:11.

brought down. Josh Meekings is not seen, you can clearly see there is

:24:12.:24:17.

contact with each other's knees there. You could argue that Adam

:24:18.:24:24.

Rooney would not get the ball, a bad touch, but anywhere else on the

:24:25.:24:29.

pitch, that is a free kick, 100% a penalty.

:24:30.:24:35.

Charlie is not convinced? He is not controlling the ball. I think he has

:24:36.:24:44.

not control the ball and I am not convinced there was much contact

:24:45.:24:46.

there. Adam was looking for it. 70-30 against it. Willie Miller,

:24:47.:25:02.

argued 50-50? There is some contact. Rooney did not have control of the

:25:03.:25:08.

ball, no doubt, it was going out, and the referee must have taken that

:25:09.:25:13.

into consideration. But when you are a defender in the penalty box, and

:25:14.:25:17.

you go for a ball like that, you need to get the ball.

:25:18.:25:23.

But he has put on self that position. For those reasons, I am 50

:25:24.:25:32.

- 50. If that was midfield, and the guys check each other, you would get

:25:33.:25:37.

a free kick, no question, it is inside the box, same rules apply, no

:25:38.:25:42.

different rules, that is a penalty, there is contact there, it should

:25:43.:25:47.

have been a penalty for Aberdeen. A crying shame, literally, for Jonny

:25:48.:25:53.

Hayes, visibly upset, he must have been really looking forward to this.

:25:54.:26:00.

Looking back, he will probably wish he did not go in for the challenge.

:26:01.:26:07.

But he isn't easy as big, he wants to be part of the game and its

:26:08.:26:12.

build-up. And he has went in but it, made that decision, falling

:26:13.:26:17.

awkwardly. You could see a the time he was hurt, and a huge blow for

:26:18.:26:24.

him. The way he landed, the likelihood was it was not going to

:26:25.:26:26.

be much more of the game by him. And everyone in here, as soon as we

:26:27.:26:40.

start, we thought he would not be in the game. But the adrenaline is

:26:41.:26:43.

rushing, desperate to get involved, and he has had to go off injured.

:26:44.:26:48.

Aberdeen getting the ball in the net, that was the big draw in the

:26:49.:26:53.

background, Inverness starting well, capitalising on Aberdeen giving the

:26:54.:26:55.

ball away. Vincent has proven to be a diamond

:26:56.:27:08.

at the moment, creating problems. It is not like Billy to get in front of

:27:09.:27:13.

a defender, I thought he might take a step back, trying to get in front

:27:14.:27:18.

of him, but good defending, showing the capability of causing problems.

:27:19.:27:23.

But not too much of that since? We have shown too much respect

:27:24.:27:30.

midfield, and I agree that Niall McGinn does not look too much on the

:27:31.:27:37.

boil. We need to be tighter in the midfield, which is by John has five

:27:38.:27:41.

guys in there, to keep Aberdeen facing the wrong goal, then if you

:27:42.:27:46.

get the ball, you can get a ball through. Cammy Smith replaced Jonny

:27:47.:27:53.

Hayes, and could have made an instant impact.

:27:54.:28:00.

It was a super cross from Andrew Considine. Young Cammy, he is very

:28:01.:28:09.

good on the ground, it was a wonderful cross in, Adam Rooney, a

:28:10.:28:14.

real opportunity. Cammy Smith? Not surprised it went off the bar.

:28:15.:28:23.

CROWD CHANTS. You should say hello to some of your

:28:24.:28:34.

fans there. Thank you. And some levelling things up? Absolutely,

:28:35.:28:40.

Aberdeen have some guys missing, but in possession, guys like Willo Flood

:28:41.:28:48.

and Barry Robson, Ryan Jack, all very nice in possession, but not

:28:49.:28:52.

quick enough. Inverness have been difficult to break down, but need to

:28:53.:28:57.

pass quickly remove the midfield about. It has been too slow at the

:28:58.:29:01.

moment, keeping possession, which is bearing up, but need to get it

:29:02.:29:06.

quicker and in between the lines. -- which is fear in our. This law is --

:29:07.:29:13.

a bit too slow is the possession. And maybe a wrong yellow card

:29:14.:29:19.

because of losing fitting, but he is on the tightrope the way he plays. I

:29:20.:29:25.

think he was led off with the first one, because he slept, and was

:29:26.:29:29.

booked in the second one, but Richie Foran has to be careful, playing

:29:30.:29:35.

that way, he is 33, you may have to sit out one or two challenges. And

:29:36.:29:41.

Russell Anderson Dunning into a goal machine, almost had another

:29:42.:29:44.

memorable one? He has had a fantastic season.

:29:45.:29:57.

Unusual to see him in the box. That was magnificent, if you take any top

:29:58.:30:01.

striker, and vitamin that position, and he manages to dig that one out.

:30:02.:30:08.

-- put him in that position. An absolute superb example of how to

:30:09.:30:14.

strike the ball on the volley, unusual for him to do that, but it

:30:15.:30:21.

was so close. Wonderful strike. It looked like it could have spun in if

:30:22.:30:26.

Richie Foran had not been there. Then another chance from Adam

:30:27.:30:31.

Rooney. Just attack too far in front. It has not fallen enough, he

:30:32.:30:37.

is on the back foot. He is off balance. Stretching all the time.

:30:38.:30:53.

Difficult one for him. Gary Warren not playing, that is definitely a

:30:54.:31:03.

factor. That is a concern for us. Just backtracking to the Russell

:31:04.:31:09.

Anderson shot, the instinct of Richie Foran to be in the right

:31:10.:31:12.

place at the right time for Inverness. It is just his instinct,

:31:13.:31:19.

he felt as if, I need to get back and add some cover. If he was not,

:31:20.:31:25.

it could have rebounded from the other post and gone in all -- gone

:31:26.:31:41.

in. His role is interesting, he drifts in behind Billy McKay. We

:31:42.:31:48.

have seen it so far today, Vincent has started on the left side,

:31:49.:31:55.

playing in what you would class as a number ten position. It is causing

:31:56.:32:01.

the Aberdeen midfield problems. Start on the left, drift in. It is

:32:02.:32:10.

causing Aberdeen problems. Robson, now standing on the right-hand

:32:11.:32:14.

side, he wants to drive in and cover him all the way. But Flood and Jack

:32:15.:32:21.

are already in the middle of the pitch marking up, so Aberdeen are

:32:22.:32:24.

finding it difficult knowing who to pick up. They will have difficulty

:32:25.:32:31.

countering that, it could lead to something in the second half. John

:32:32.:32:36.

Hughes could go on the other direction and bring on some genuine

:32:37.:32:41.

width. Exactly, and I think Dorans would be ideal. Bringing him on, if

:32:42.:32:49.

it is still level with 25 minutes to go, that is a good option. And we

:32:50.:32:54.

know that Nick Ross can have an impact. The philosophy would have

:32:55.:33:03.

been, keep it tight for an Allah. If it is 0-0, they will be happy. --

:33:04.:33:10.

keep it tight for an hour. They have guys that can thrive on space. Ross

:33:11.:33:17.

and Dorans can hopefully come on and take advantage of tired legs.

:33:18.:33:23.

Aberdeen have already had to commit Cammie Smith as a sub. When you look

:33:24.:33:30.

at the bench, who else could be significant? You are right, they do

:33:31.:33:36.

not have many game changers on the bench, Derek McInnes will hope he

:33:37.:33:39.

does not have too be in that position, making changes to change

:33:40.:33:47.

the course of the game. From an Inverness point of view, they

:33:48.:33:51.

started well. I was looking out for nerves, but they have shown none

:33:52.:33:56.

whatsoever. Aberdeen have been slightly better, had the better

:33:57.:33:59.

opportunities, but John Hughes will be delighted. It is an intriguing

:34:00.:34:08.

game. It is difficult to see which way it will go. Inverness have more

:34:09.:34:19.

than handled themselves. John Hughes will have wanted to keep it tight

:34:20.:34:23.

then try to get a little bit more width after an hour. And Willie is

:34:24.:34:31.

right, no nerves from Inverness, which you might have expected after

:34:32.:34:36.

recent results. As the game goes on, they will grow in confidence,

:34:37.:34:39.

Aberdeen will have to deal with that. The teams are emerging for the

:34:40.:34:46.

second half. There will have been a lot of debate during the interval

:34:47.:34:50.

about this, was there enough contact them for that to be a penalty? The

:34:51.:34:57.

referee thought not. Russell Anderson has gone closest to

:34:58.:35:01.

breaking the deadlock so far with a right foot volley which struck the

:35:02.:35:05.

inside of the post before Richie Foran was in the right place to deal

:35:06.:35:11.

with it on the line. 0-0 so far, let's return for the second half, to

:35:12.:35:15.

Mark McGhee and Liam McLeod. In the next 45 minutes we will find

:35:16.:35:23.

out who will In the next 45 minutes win the first

:35:24.:35:28.

piece of silverware in Scottish but all this season. -- Scottish

:35:29.:35:38.

football. No further changes at half-time. The 35th meeting between

:35:39.:35:48.

these teams. The third time they have met in the League Cup. Aberdeen

:35:49.:35:57.

have won both so far. 3-0 in 1998, 4-1 in 2007. No matter who wins this

:35:58.:36:07.

one, it will be a fourth different winner of the trophy since 1994.

:36:08.:36:18.

Rangers, Kilmarnock, Saint Mirren, then one of these two. Barry Robson,

:36:19.:36:32.

he had a decent first-half. Russell Anderson showed real agility in

:36:33.:36:36.

hitting the post. That is too long. Mark McGhee. As the game started you

:36:37.:36:45.

could not quite call it. Nothing between them really. Slightly

:36:46.:36:55.

different in style. Aberdeen trying to bully, Inverness trying to take

:36:56.:36:58.

opportunities when Aberdeen make a mistake. Get the ball up to Billy

:36:59.:37:05.

McKay, she has done terrifically well against two bigger lads. McKay

:37:06.:37:22.

at that time on Reynolds. Aberdeen are second in the premiership,

:37:23.:37:30.

Thistle are for. -- fourth. Tansey and Flood come together. Tansey did

:37:31.:37:37.

well. A decent free kick to give away. Quite deliberate, knew he

:37:38.:37:41.

would not get the ball, just went with him. Aberdeen minus two of

:37:42.:37:55.

their semifinal heroes. As and Paul. -- Hayes and Pawlett. Not a good

:37:56.:38:09.

shot, but it was an opportunity coming from a deep free kick

:38:10.:38:13.

launched into the centre of the box. That shows the importance of keeping

:38:14.:38:22.

your discipline. Stay on your feet. It is quite a story for Russell

:38:23.:38:27.

Anderson. Left Aberdeen in 2007, injury problems throughout his time

:38:28.:38:31.

at Sunderland and Derby County, came back to Aberdeen, and it is not just

:38:32.:38:40.

about the number of games since, but the level at which she has played

:38:41.:38:44.

at. Mr consistent at the back for the Dons.

:38:45.:38:51.

It is Draper, for Inverness. Caught by Flood. There was a stage when I

:38:52.:39:10.

thought Russell's career might be over. He would have had an even

:39:11.:39:17.

greater career but for the injuries he suffered. Away by Jack. Pressure

:39:18.:39:27.

from Vincent. Flood is there. Cleaned up by Marley Watkins. There

:39:28.:39:42.

is plenty needle. It is a cup final. If there wasn't that combative

:39:43.:39:45.

attitude and people preparing to be physical, there would be something

:39:46.:39:54.

far wrong. This is a cup final. Free kick by Langfield. Robson does well.

:39:55.:40:08.

Richie Foran finds Shinnie. The second half, similar in style to

:40:09.:40:16.

what we saw in the opening 45. Smith emerging victorious, the ball was

:40:17.:40:25.

taken by Shinnie. Considine wins it back for the Reds. Niall McGinn.

:40:26.:40:40.

Draper was being fouled. Free kick from Inverness. Finding Watkins.

:40:41.:40:48.

Billy McKay. A good run forward from Vincent. Goes to Raven instead.

:40:49.:40:58.

Tries to cross. Flood as they are. Considine. Niall McGinn. Macari.

:40:59.:41:13.

Reynolds was the barrier. Small margins. For the first time,

:41:14.:41:25.

Inverness have more men in the box. Barry Robson. Jack, to Flood. The

:41:26.:41:45.

guys in the studio were talking at half-time about whether Aberdeen

:41:46.:41:48.

were being quick enough coming forward. Sideways passing in the

:41:49.:41:55.

midfield, trying to get Adam Rooney in the game, and Cammie Smith is the

:41:56.:42:00.

man to try to do that. There is the national coach. Gordon Strachan.

:42:01.:42:07.

Enjoying proceedings, McKay feigns Vincent, but did he get the ball?

:42:08.:42:21.

The referee was very close. Stop start. Seven minutes into the second

:42:22.:42:30.

half. The latest decision that the referee has had to make. Against

:42:31.:42:50.

Vincent. Free kick, taken quickly. There is nowhere really for Russell

:42:51.:42:56.

Anderson to go. McKay chasing the Dons skipper. Rooney. That breaks

:42:57.:43:09.

nicely for Shinnie. He has McKay ahead of him. Incomes Anderson.

:43:10.:43:17.

Marginally, Inverness have started the second half better. They must be

:43:18.:43:26.

careful, Aberdeen, not to allow the game to become stretched. They just

:43:27.:43:35.

have to be a little bit careful. That is a corner. They cannot try to

:43:36.:43:43.

counter attack every single time they win the ball, at times you must

:43:44.:43:47.

just pass it out, get it to Rooney, world like that. -- build.

:43:48.:44:00.

Shinnie. Clattering into Considine. Still in play. Tansey. It looked

:44:01.:44:17.

like he had overrun that slightly. Barry Robson thought that was an

:44:18.:44:43.

Aberdeen ball. Some of the best performances from Aberdeen this

:44:44.:44:47.

season have come against teams that have attacked them, not against

:44:48.:44:50.

opponents who have sat in. But Inverness are doing their fair share

:44:51.:45:04.

of attacking right now. Devine. Good play by Watkins, to Draper. Good

:45:05.:45:10.

covering by Reynolds. Inside to Jack. He is having to go backwards.

:45:11.:45:20.

Trooper closing down Reynolds. -- Draper. Reynolds jitters, Watkins

:45:21.:45:31.

was offside, which is why Reynolds delayed the run. I think he has the

:45:32.:45:40.

decision right in the end. Almost blocked, the ball went to Raven, but

:45:41.:45:49.

the need to be quicker, get rid of the ball.

:45:50.:45:58.

It has been the quality in the final third in open play that Aberdeen

:45:59.:46:08.

have struggled with. Absolutely, Mike Reynolds needs to hold it up

:46:09.:46:15.

upfront, give his midfield time, even to get beyond him. -- Mark

:46:16.:46:21.

Reynolds. And Aberdeen are not getting out. Logan losing out to

:46:22.:46:34.

Vincent on the outside, getting the throw. Cammy Smith, barely getting a

:46:35.:46:42.

touch of the ball in this deck and period. -- second period. Inverness

:46:43.:46:50.

fans trying to put Aberdeen off there from behind the goal.

:46:51.:47:00.

Was Smith caught by Tansey? No. Cammy Smith get boot to get on the

:47:01.:47:13.

ball, but Caley Thistle not letting him. The referee not interested

:47:14.:47:16.

there in the appeals of Aberdeen. Billy McKay did brilliantly there.

:47:17.:47:33.

Three Aberdeen players trying to defend against them, but still

:47:34.:47:38.

managing to wrestle the ball back to one of his own players. As this -- a

:47:39.:47:50.

zest about Caley Thistle that has been the four weeks. -- been there

:47:51.:47:54.

for weeks. I think he will be editing that from

:47:55.:48:20.

the playback, should Inverness go on to win this. I do not think... He

:48:21.:48:29.

looked down at the ball, and I do not think he fancied heading it with

:48:30.:48:31.

his left boot, and he had no choice. Only really religion had therefore

:48:32.:48:54.

Logan, -- only really Rooney to hit. The formation and Aberdeen

:48:55.:49:00.

causing problems. Not much space around the penalty area.

:49:01.:49:23.

Space opening up for Aberdeen at last. Graeme Shinnie to deny Logan.

:49:24.:49:34.

The speaking to Aberdeen fans and football yesterday, B1 speaking

:49:35.:49:39.

about Peter Pawlett. And here is McGinn, you cannot underestimate the

:49:40.:49:45.

importance of the players not out there. And Jonny Hayes coming off

:49:46.:49:58.

within minutes, Peter Pawlett not playing at all, huge blows for

:49:59.:50:04.

Aberdeen. Caley Thistle finds calling for handball there. -- fans.

:50:05.:50:15.

James Vincent all over Ryan Jack, closing down options. Reynolds

:50:16.:50:25.

looking for Rooney, Aberdeen pushed into the long ball almost all stop

:50:26.:50:29.

Inverness doing that well, letting them come so far. Keeping them in a

:50:30.:50:43.

position. Billy McKay between them. Corralled into this corner, putting

:50:44.:50:46.

pressure on the ball, forcing a long pass. Good play by Inverness. That

:50:47.:50:54.

is one hour gone, could be another hour if there is extra time.

:50:55.:51:12.

Langfield keeping an eye on that, drops it, but bailed out by

:51:13.:51:18.

Anderson. Horrible for Jamie Langfield! A major let off for

:51:19.:51:27.

Aberdeen. Caley Thistle will take confidence from that as Reynolds

:51:28.:51:39.

fouls McKay, and are good moment for Inverness. A difficult moment for

:51:40.:51:45.

goalkeepers, not much to do, flapping at that one, needs to be

:51:46.:51:51.

more decisive, but got away with it. And Reynolds outstretched right leg

:51:52.:51:55.

on Billy McKay, the foul that led to the free kick. Last week against

:51:56.:52:02.

Dumbarton, Jamie Langfield dropped one or two, helped out by his

:52:03.:52:08.

captain on that occasion as well. Over 30 yards out, they should not

:52:09.:52:13.

be a threat to Jamie Langfield, but they need to be aware of the second

:52:14.:52:18.

ball off the post or the bar, the ricochet, and we have to defend the

:52:19.:52:24.

second ball as well. Jamie Langfield forced into the save. The gifts

:52:25.:52:33.

possession straight back to Caley Thistle. -- he gifts. A good opening

:52:34.:52:41.

16-17 minutes to the second half for Inverness.

:52:42.:53:01.

Adam Rooney is increasingly looking like an isolated figure up for

:53:02.:53:11.

Aberdeen. Aaron Doran should be on in a moment for Caley Thistle. James

:53:12.:53:16.

Vincent will be the player to make way by the sounds of things. I think

:53:17.:53:22.

the start of the second half, Inverness have taken possession away

:53:23.:53:28.

from Aberdeen. John Hughes has said to them at half-time I think that

:53:29.:53:33.

any doubts they may have had where dispelled in the first half by their

:53:34.:53:37.

performance, no to try and find another game, and I think they have

:53:38.:53:43.

done that. -- now to try. At this moment, they look like the likely

:53:44.:53:48.

team. Aaron Doran, from County Court, would have been gutted to

:53:49.:53:54.

have been left out at the start. -- County Cork. Now playing for the

:53:55.:54:00.

remainder of the game. It is a free kick for Graeme Shinnie, but away by

:54:01.:54:03.

Anderson. A lot of the pace out of the

:54:04.:54:21.

Aberdeen team, that we would normally see on a weekly basis,

:54:22.:54:25.

coming up with new ways of attacking their opponents.

:54:26.:54:52.

It is the way the game has been played, is that sitting Caley

:54:53.:54:59.

Thistle better? I think Caley Thistle at the moment, Tansey and

:55:00.:55:11.

Draper not giving Ryan Jack Willo Flood the chance to get the ball

:55:12.:55:25.

down and make passes. Considine has a long throw on him. Meekings

:55:26.:55:39.

conceded it. The short option for Smith. Aberdeen were in the final

:55:40.:55:50.

third inside their own half year. -- here. An awkward one for Anderson,

:55:51.:55:56.

Doran was in behind him. Oh, dear! Aberdeen have to stretch

:55:57.:56:23.

Inverness across the pitch, if they stretch the ball quickly from one

:56:24.:56:28.

side to the other, because as long as it is going through the middle,

:56:29.:56:31.

Inverness John Nimmo, bodies in there, more ambition, -- Inverness

:56:32.:56:37.

are in a strong position in the middle. Aberdeen need to get the

:56:38.:56:41.

ball down the side. John Hughes seems quite happy.

:56:42.:56:54.

Billy McKay knows Aaron Doran has pace, intelligently done by Robson.

:56:55.:57:05.

Their defence of Inverness has been terrific, The Times McKay has been

:57:06.:57:11.

isolated, but he has done well at times to put Aberdeen under

:57:12.:57:15.

pressure, allowing him to get ten behind the ball, -- to get time

:57:16.:57:21.

behind the ball, making it difficult for Aberdeen. Humming towards the

:57:22.:57:27.

final quarter of the 90 minutes -- coming towards.

:57:28.:57:48.

Logan went long, but it was too high for Rooney. Rooney in Abilene is --

:57:49.:58:05.

in brilliant space, but only if McGinn could have found him. Better

:58:06.:58:12.

from Aberdeen, Rooney finding himself in an Aberdeen, but who are

:58:13.:58:22.

from Ryan Jack again. -- but poor. It is the first time we have seen

:58:23.:58:30.

open play and Adam Rooney in a good area. You'll he ended up running a

:58:31.:58:35.

bit wide, ended up almost in the corner. Give his team an opportunity

:58:36.:58:41.

which no one was able to get on the end of, but motoring courage in for

:58:42.:58:46.

Aberdeen. Nicky Low will come on for Aberdeen in a minute or two, not

:58:47.:58:50.

sure who is coming off yet. Barry Robson?

:58:51.:59:07.

Good possession from Aberdeen, better from them in the last couple

:59:08.:59:14.

of minutes, Robson with an ambitious effort. That was over, 35 yards out,

:59:15.:59:22.

it will take a good strike from there to score. They need to keep

:59:23.:59:27.

passing the ball. You said before he took that shot, better possession,

:59:28.:59:32.

keep the ball. Cammy Smith who came on in the first half, coming off in

:59:33.:59:37.

the second half to be replaced by Nicky Low. Hard decisions sometimes

:59:38.:59:41.

for a manager, putting the player on, a little bit of a change, so I

:59:42.:59:48.

do not think it can be ruled to Anfield, the light coming on, doing

:59:49.:59:53.

well, looking willing to come on the ball. -- it cannot be ruled to

:59:54.:59:58.

Anfield. He made a decent contribution was to was out there.

:59:59.:00:03.

-- too unfair. Jonny Hayes with a soldier -- with a shoulder injury,

:00:04.:00:08.

we spoke to him and he does not think he has broken anything, but it

:00:09.:00:13.

is a collarbone problem, he could be out for a good few weeks. But Nick

:00:14.:00:24.

Lowe, he looks as though he could do a job in midfield. The Dons

:00:25.:00:34.

supporters really rate him. Just one change left for Aberdeen, Thistle

:00:35.:00:42.

have a couple, 20 minutes to go. 0-0, nothing between them. The

:00:43.:00:49.

closer we get to full time, the more nervous it becomes all -- and Adam

:00:50.:00:58.

Rooney is on his own opportunity for Aberdeen. It shows

:00:59.:01:39.

the importance of staying concentrated. Craig Brown, elder

:01:40.:02:07.

statesman. Succeeded by Derek McInnes.

:02:08.:02:31.

Shinnie. Anderson. Richie Foran wins a free kick. 51,143 inside Celtic

:02:32.:02:49.

Park today. 40,000 supporting Aberdeen. A good crowd. A fantastic

:02:50.:03:00.

atmosphere, both supports deserve a lot of credit, they have come a long

:03:01.:03:07.

way. Langfield, changed his mind, comes again. Nervous moments for

:03:08.:03:14.

Aberdeen. They had some against Dumbarton last week. When Thistle

:03:15.:03:18.

get the ball in the box, it is the same thing. Mark Reynolds is playing

:03:19.:03:26.

a dangerous game. He has got a hold of the jersey Draper. The linesman

:03:27.:03:34.

could clearly see it being tugged. He has got to be careful, he could

:03:35.:03:38.

give away a penalty for absolutely nothing. It could be crucial. That

:03:39.:03:48.

kind of decision. That is strong from Rooney. He has got jack to the

:03:49.:03:54.

right. This is him now. Now Nicky low. Robson. Lowe Full is Inverness

:03:55.:04:07.

are well drilled at the back. Better. They are keeping the ball.

:04:08.:04:28.

It came from Rooney. He kept the ball for his team, gave them a

:04:29.:04:32.

platform. Now they have a corner kick. Anderson and Considine wait.

:04:33.:04:42.

They scored at that end in the Scottish cup match against Celtic

:04:43.:04:51.

here. There was a push. You sometimes wonder where the free kick

:04:52.:04:54.

is, but referees see things when everybody is pooling and fishing. --

:04:55.:05:08.

pulling and pushing. Just a little push from Adam Rooney. Just over 15

:05:09.:05:16.

minutes to go. It looks like a game where one goal might decide that.

:05:17.:05:26.

Inverness are only here because Nick Ross scored the deep into stoppage

:05:27.:05:34.

time against Heart of Midlothian when they were down to nine men.

:05:35.:05:44.

This is right in the melting pot. Inverness have had a fantastic half

:05:45.:05:52.

hour. Have they run out of energy? Do they still have the energy to

:05:53.:05:57.

maintain it? Aberdeen are starting to claw their way back into it.

:05:58.:06:05.

We'll John Hughes be disappointed that they have not really tested

:06:06.:06:11.

Jamie Langfield? I think he will be, they have been on the front foot

:06:12.:06:14.

without managing to create a clear-cut chance. Richie Foran.

:06:15.:06:26.

McKay. Good defending by Mark Reynolds. Not for the first time

:06:27.:06:34.

this season. Flood. That was for Robson. In goes Richie Foran. They

:06:35.:06:38.

throw to Inverness. Combative players, going for the

:06:39.:06:58.

same ball. Richie Foran will fight to the last today. Greg Tansey.

:06:59.:07:11.

Shinnie. Shrugging off Lowe. Anderson heads clear. It falls for

:07:12.:07:21.

Robson. An extra half an hour is a big possibility. Nicky Lowe. Logan.

:07:22.:07:45.

Flood, inside for Jack. Lowe Full. He got an early winner against Ross

:07:46.:08:09.

County in a league game. The Dons are seeing more of the ball now.

:08:10.:08:18.

Reynolds. McGinn. Not that much movement ahead of him. Flood. The

:08:19.:08:26.

easy ball to Ryan Jack who has a pop, saved, and saved again from

:08:27.:08:36.

Rooney! Robson goes down and wins a free kick just outside the box.

:08:37.:08:43.

Better play again. We talked about working the ball wide. Eventually

:08:44.:08:50.

they came inside and got a good shot. A really dangerous position. A

:08:51.:08:58.

wonderful area for Aberdeen to try to exploit. Inverness about to make

:08:59.:09:07.

a substitution. The crucial goal scorer from the semifinal penalty

:09:08.:09:10.

shoot out, as replacement for Watkins. In the meantime, Aberdeen

:09:11.:09:16.

free kick, level with the penalty shot. It is for McGinn. Only fresh

:09:17.:09:33.

air. Willo Flood. Towards Anderson, but too high. That was from the

:09:34.:09:39.

training ground, that free kick. We saw similar from the Scotland team

:09:40.:09:46.

against Estonia when Charlie Mulgrew and Charlie Adam worked a free kick

:09:47.:09:50.

just as McGinn did they are, but it did not quite reach. Off goes

:09:51.:10:01.

Watkins. He has done a power of work. Perhaps tired. And a proud

:10:02.:10:07.

moment for 22-year-old Nick Ross. Playing for his local team. He got

:10:08.:10:12.

that crucial equaliser against Heart of Midlothian in the semifinals,

:10:13.:10:18.

deep into stoppage time. He would have loved to have started today but

:10:19.:10:25.

there are still plenty of football to be played this afternoon as we

:10:26.:10:29.

head towards the final ten minutes of normal time all -- with more to

:10:30.:10:44.

lose with every minute that passes. Inverness kicked another free kick.

:10:45.:10:55.

It is getting to that stage, Mark, we, if you score, there is not much

:10:56.:11:02.

time to see it out. Yes, and nerves start to come in when the other team

:11:03.:11:14.

get near your golf. -- goal. Strong play from Considine. A push from

:11:15.:11:27.

Rooney, Meeking was not happy. And Aberdeen ball. Awkward for Devine,

:11:28.:11:33.

he ended up leaving it. Get away with it. Aberdeen have scored 14

:11:34.:11:41.

times in the last ten minutes of matches this season, John Hughes

:11:42.:11:49.

will be aware of that. Anderson underneath it. It takes an awkward

:11:50.:11:58.

bounce which Devine heads away. Considine. McGinn. That is not a bad

:11:59.:12:12.

switch. The Northern Irishman finds Logan. Jack. Logan. When Aberdeen

:12:13.:12:25.

lost to Partick Thistle recently, Logan did not play. Rooney. Robson.

:12:26.:12:37.

Aberdeen, stroking their chins a little bit here, trying to work out

:12:38.:12:41.

how to get past this thick blue wall. Inverness are resolute, but as

:12:42.:12:51.

the game approaches its conclusion, they are less likely to be able to

:12:52.:12:55.

break from this deep position, so Aberdeen must remain patient and

:12:56.:13:02.

keep passing the ball. Flood, Jack, has to be quick, Dorans for company.

:13:03.:13:06.

Logan. Aberdeen attacking the end of the

:13:07.:13:25.

ground that they are fans are at. Barry Robson the sizes up another

:13:26.:13:37.

one. Forced to save again, Brill, that was the best effort of the

:13:38.:13:44.

match from Barry Robson so far. Aberdeen have by far had the best

:13:45.:13:50.

chances of the game. Inverness tested Jamie Langfield when he had a

:13:51.:13:56.

flap at a cross early on. Flood making a run. It is left for

:13:57.:14:06.

Considine, not a good touch. Had that been better, that could have

:14:07.:14:09.

been a shot on goal, it could have been the League Cup. What an

:14:10.:14:15.

opportunity, I think you took it with his right foot which is not his

:14:16.:14:24.

best. Now, he took it with his left. As you say, it could have probably

:14:25.:14:31.

won the cup. But Aberdeen have stolen the initiative back. Both

:14:32.:14:38.

sets of supporters are cranking up the volume. Six minutes to go, plus

:14:39.:14:47.

injury time. If it stays like this, extra time. Reynolds, towards

:14:48.:15:02.

Rooney, but too much on it. I think the Aberdeen supporters have sensed

:15:03.:15:10.

their team have found some energy. In numbers, they cannot get up the

:15:11.:15:15.

part as much as they can, Inverness, so Aberdeen can keep them

:15:16.:15:20.

camped in their at least until the final whistle. Having to manage with

:15:21.:15:30.

less men for both teams and previews -- in previous games. Caley Thistle

:15:31.:15:41.

supporters away to the right. What a day it is the their club. Only two

:15:42.:15:49.

decades old and a major national Cup final. Five minutes from time,

:15:50.:15:56.

though. If there is to be a goal now, you would think that would seal

:15:57.:15:59.

the trophy. Handball, but missed. It is a Caley Thistle

:16:00.:16:18.

corner. He makes that spring to the front post. Giving themselves an

:16:19.:16:23.

opportunity. He beats Russell Anderson to the ball at the near

:16:24.:16:29.

post, an opportunity to score, but blocked, added as a corner tech.

:16:30.:16:34.

This is where Inverness have to be careful. -- it is a corner kick. Do

:16:35.:16:41.

not switch off, Niall McGinn is there, they cannot take their eyes

:16:42.:16:53.

off him. It is in the air, Richie Foran claimed it, I think he was

:16:54.:17:01.

foiled. -- fouled. Steven MacLean not interested. I think it is Andy

:17:02.:17:10.

Considine, is it? Definitely two hands. And Richie Foran is raging!

:17:11.:17:26.

It definitely had his hands, arguments therefore a penalty, --

:17:27.:17:33.

there for a penalty, but maybe balancing out from previous

:17:34.:17:34.

decisions. The best defences in the

:17:35.:17:47.

Premiership. That has been given state to Niall McGinn, and a goal

:17:48.:17:54.

kick, I thought Josh Meekings had touched that initially, and a

:17:55.:17:58.

massive chance for Aberdeen goes a-begging. I thought he was going to

:17:59.:18:06.

school there. The defender doing well to put him under pressure. He

:18:07.:18:13.

tries to lift it over him, but he has to do better. Josh Meekings had

:18:14.:18:20.

his team-mates all over him, it came off the defender. No corner. Just

:18:21.:18:27.

wonderful defending from Josh Meekings in any case. It might not

:18:28.:18:37.

-- might not be credited for that, because he did not go for the

:18:38.:18:42.

corner. Two minutes, plus stoppage time. Nothing each.

:18:43.:18:57.

Reynolds controls. Aberdeen fans baying for blood. But no foul.

:18:58.:19:14.

-thereby McKay on Anderson. Just that the row being given? -- that

:19:15.:19:21.

was their by. Billy McKay went straight to the

:19:22.:19:38.

assisting referee on the near side. Not happy the free kick was given.

:19:39.:19:46.

It is looking like extra time, Mark McGhee. I will take it, enjoying

:19:47.:19:55.

this, at a recognised -- terrifically contested Cup final.

:19:56.:19:59.

Different style, Inverness defending themselves against Aberdeen. Nicky

:20:00.:20:06.

Low Goodson on Dean Brill, but Dean Brill got there just before. --

:20:07.:20:14.

Nicky Low goes in. there have been chances at both ends, mostly

:20:15.:20:22.

Aberdeen, but a terrific final. Does Nick Ross have any last-minute

:20:23.:20:30.

heroics up his sleeve question waiting to find out how much

:20:31.:20:33.

stoppage time has been added. McGinn has it, but many Inverness

:20:34.:20:49.

players. And three minutes added at the end.

:20:50.:21:16.

It dropped nicely for Aaron Doran, Caley Thistle on the counter now,

:21:17.:21:22.

just over one minute to go. If 14 macro -- if Doran had got it

:21:23.:21:45.

through McKay there. One end to the other right now. Still in play.

:21:46.:21:53.

Richie Foran had no right to win that ball. And he has won Inverness

:21:54.:21:59.

a free kick, and what an area and what a free kick to concede by Shae

:22:00.:22:05.

Logan. unnecessary, but the boy is tired, running a long way to get

:22:06.:22:12.

back in there. Foran came down, but a free kick being given to put the

:22:13.:22:19.

team and the pressure in these last seconds. Aberdeen not going to be

:22:20.:22:30.

given another chance. In a game by Graeme Shinnie, the referee spotting

:22:31.:22:38.

something. Russell Anderson and Draper, I think, having a wrestling

:22:39.:22:43.

match, I do not know who issues bonds of old. But it has happened

:22:44.:22:49.

throughout the game. -- I do not know who is responsible. It is a

:22:50.:22:55.

retake of the free kick. Inverness still have a chance. Anderson

:22:56.:23:03.

playing a dangerous game there. Anderson marking Draper.

:23:04.:23:17.

It is looking like extra time. In fact it is. The Scottish League Cup

:23:18.:23:27.

final ends goalless after 90 minutes. There has been nothing

:23:28.:23:32.

between Anderson, the best chances without a doubt link to Derek

:23:33.:23:38.

McInnes' Aberdeen, but John Hughes' side so well drilled, quite the

:23:39.:23:42.

opposite in their previous two games, the match against Hibernian,

:23:43.:23:47.

the back-to-back losses by Celtic and then of course to Dundee United

:23:48.:23:52.

last Sunday. It means we have another 30 minutes to enjoy. Or

:23:53.:24:00.

insular if you support these games -- or endure if you support these

:24:01.:24:04.

teams. Maybe not surprising if the are so

:24:05.:24:15.

inseparable, another half hour to come, and maybe a penalty shoot out

:24:16.:24:24.

to follow. Who is your money on, Charlie? I think the last 20

:24:25.:24:34.

minutes, Caley Thistle dropping ten yards of the game. Could the midweek

:24:35.:24:42.

fixture be a factor question mark --? I think so. Aberdeen seemed to

:24:43.:24:53.

be in the ascendancy. Some good opportunities, such as the Niall

:24:54.:24:59.

McGinn effort. Not sure if you took the flexion. -- took the flexion.

:25:00.:25:04.

Aberdeen look to have more energy and strength. -- deflection. It is

:25:05.:25:11.

difficult to call, full marks to Caley Thistle giving it everything

:25:12.:25:16.

they could possibly have given for their manager. And on the back of

:25:17.:25:22.

recent results, they have to be applauded for that, but Aberdeen

:25:23.:25:27.

looking stronger. We saw Richie Foran and the referee not quite

:25:28.:25:32.

kissing and making up, but having some exchanges, all about the

:25:33.:25:39.

penalty claim we saw. One in the first half, but what about the

:25:40.:25:44.

challenge by Andy Considine on Richie Foran?

:25:45.:25:48.

With arms all over the attackers, you're giving opportunities. For me,

:25:49.:25:59.

that is a penalty kick. The first half was one for Aberdeen, that was

:26:00.:26:05.

certainly one for Inverness. It is pretty blatant, two arms round about

:26:06.:26:13.

Foran, I think, and Andy Considine taking a chance there. I think the

:26:14.:26:20.

referee can look at that one. Let us look at Nile McGinn's Janz. He could

:26:21.:26:27.

have won it for Aberdeen. -- Niall McGinn's Janz. --

:26:28.:26:33.

Chance. The ball seems to change, he will be disappointed with that. That

:26:34.:26:47.

just about sums up the day for Niall McGinn, it has not been his days so

:26:48.:26:53.

far, lacking urgency. And whether it was the flexion -- deflection, it

:26:54.:27:02.

just has not happened. Another 30 minutes, no back to Mark and Liam.

:27:03.:27:10.

-- now back. Extra time has been required in 15

:27:11.:27:13.

of the previous doing well to get to the showpiece

:27:14.:28:08.

final. He has not been as influential as he might have hoped,

:28:09.:28:15.

Niall McGinn, but he is the one that might make a pass and might make a

:28:16.:28:23.

run or he might score the goal, even though he is missing what looks like

:28:24.:28:28.

a glaring opportunity. He still looks to have energy, which is

:28:29.:28:31.

important. Inverness still hemming Aberdeen in

:28:32.:28:45.

here. Richie Foran having a discussion with his team-mates,

:28:46.:28:49.

taking over from John Hughes just before extra time got underway. And

:28:50.:28:59.

Aberdeen ball. -- an Aberdeen ball. Aberdeen have won the League Cup

:29:00.:29:05.

after extra time before, beating Rangers in 1989, Paul Mason with two

:29:06.:29:18.

goals that they at Hampden. -- that day.

:29:19.:29:51.

Good play by Draper. Trying to find McKay. From open play, Caley Thistle

:29:52.:30:03.

have not really troubled Aberdeen. Most of the time they only have one

:30:04.:30:08.

option, McKay, and unless they get it to him, they do not create

:30:09.:30:15.

clear-cut chances. But they have times when his movement has been

:30:16.:30:18.

really good and if they got the ball to him, he could either one. Be the

:30:19.:30:34.

one. RU looking at Mark Reynolds for the national team? We'll look at all

:30:35.:30:42.

Scottish players. Peter Pawlett is another one. We have our eyes on any

:30:43.:30:48.

players who can benefit us, that is for sure. This is Reynolds. These

:30:49.:31:05.

two have had pretty much the best defences all season, despite Celtic

:31:06.:31:15.

running away with the league. Jack for Robson. Devine, just as enough.

:31:16.:31:38.

A foul against McGinn. John Hughes has done a terrific job of preparing

:31:39.:31:50.

his team today. The shape they have started with, keeping their

:31:51.:31:55.

positions, Tansey and Draper, doing a terrific job, Richie Foran,

:31:56.:32:00.

McKay, physically, they have been outstanding in the middle of the

:32:01.:32:10.

park. John Hughes and Russell Latapy were on opposing League Cup final

:32:11.:32:14.

side once upon a time, Rangers versus United. -- Ayr Utd. Jack. He

:32:15.:32:34.

really has not had a look in. Robson, to Jack. McGinn. He is going

:32:35.:32:48.

to shoot. Nicky Lowe is asking, why did I not get the pass? Tired legs.

:32:49.:32:56.

I think at this stage of the game, he just wanted to get the shot away.

:32:57.:33:10.

McGinn did have Lowe to his right. Such a good chance he had for

:33:11.:33:14.

Aberdeen in the last few minutes of normal time, Niall McGinn. A shove

:33:15.:33:26.

their own Draper. -- there on Draper. The best outlet for Caley

:33:27.:33:33.

Thistle is free kicks right now. They can float them in and have such

:33:34.:33:41.

an aerial threat. Frustration for Richie Foran. Those sorts of free

:33:42.:33:52.

kicks will be opportunities, so they must do better than that. The centre

:33:53.:33:58.

half has gone all the way up, an opportunity to get a head on it.

:33:59.:34:04.

Caley Thistle came through after extra time and penalties on the

:34:05.:34:12.

semifinals. Aberdeen, early in the competition, required a penalty

:34:13.:34:22.

shoot out against Alloa. That was way back in August.

:34:23.:34:40.

Nick away by Nick Ross. Considine. Tansey with a mess, that has allowed

:34:41.:34:59.

Niall McGinn to run at Devine, was he in the box? Right on the edge

:35:00.:35:18.

says the referee! You can see it in the super slow motion. Just outside

:35:19.:35:27.

the box. Right on the edge. But that is what Aberdeen need from Niall

:35:28.:35:34.

McGinn, to nick the ball up and run. He has put his team in a right good

:35:35.:35:37.

position, a big opportunity for Aberdeen. They have capable players.

:35:38.:35:45.

Robson has scored from free kicks in the past. A huge moment in this

:35:46.:35:55.

game, potentially. McGinn and Robson stand over it. McGinn believing it.

:35:56.:36:04.

The left foot of Barry Robson. Former Caley Thistle player. It is a

:36:05.:36:13.

let down. We have seen him do it. We know he has it in his locker. A good

:36:14.:36:22.

opportunity. He is better than that, Barry Robson. The Inverness

:36:23.:36:26.

supporters behind the goal enjoyed that. Thistle making their final

:36:27.:36:35.

change of the match. A proud moment for a man in our studio, Charlie

:36:36.:36:40.

Christie, that is his boy, Brian, about to come on. And he really does

:36:41.:36:49.

look the business. Richie Foran. One last salute of the Thistle

:36:50.:36:57.

supporters. A huge moment for Christie. 18 years old. Already

:36:58.:37:06.

seems to be a favourite with the Thistle supporters, as his father

:37:07.:37:19.

was. And still is! Richie Foran can go off with a lot of credit. He has

:37:20.:37:26.

brilliantly led his team during this game. It is now to an 18-year-old to

:37:27.:37:31.

try to win them the game and what a story that would be. But I think

:37:32.:37:36.

Richie Foran did really, really well. Ten minutes into extra time

:37:37.:37:51.

now. The challenge by Lowe, on Christie. Does he have something up

:37:52.:38:02.

his sleeve, like his old man did in a Scottish cup tie here in 2000?

:38:03.:38:14.

That famous victory over Celtic. Graeme Shinnie, with an up and

:38:15.:38:19.

under. It has become scrappy in extra time. But there is so much to

:38:20.:38:28.

lose. Tired legs and tired minds. If somebody makes a mistake, falls

:38:29.:38:34.

over, you have lost a cup final. Flood try to slip it forward to

:38:35.:38:43.

McGinn, Raven was there, now it is Dorans, taking on Jack. Draper.

:38:44.:38:54.

Ross. Dorans. They are finding pockets. That is a free kick, and

:38:55.:39:02.

that is an opportunity as well. We make excuses for them, they are

:39:03.:39:11.

tired, but will Mark Reynolds room that tackle? -- rue. The substitute

:39:12.:39:23.

is given Inverness a different dimension to the one James Vincent

:39:24.:39:29.

gave them before. Jamie Langfield, organising his wall. We were talking

:39:30.:39:37.

about fine margins. Three Inverness players stand over this one.

:39:38.:39:43.

Christie, Tansey, Shinnie. It is Tansey! It is over. Same result as

:39:44.:39:53.

the Barry Robson free kick. Test of the goalkeeper. Put it in an area

:39:54.:40:01.

where somebody might get a ricochet. But to clear it over the

:40:02.:40:05.

bar, at this stage, you must do better. Tansey trying to arch it

:40:06.:40:14.

away from Jamie Langfield. Arts did away from the goal in the end. --

:40:15.:40:24.

arched it. Rooney ventures it and keeps it in play. There has been no

:40:25.:40:32.

real change to the way the game has been played in extra time. Much as

:40:33.:40:55.

we saw in the 90. Couple of minutes of the first period to go. Ross.

:40:56.:41:15.

Dorans. Ross. Tackle from Flood, but it still breaks for Caley Thistle.

:41:16.:41:24.

Dorans again. Goes for gold... Langfield taking no chances! The

:41:25.:41:34.

first real safety has had to make. -- real save he has had to make. It

:41:35.:41:42.

is a good save, he moves his feet quickly and puts it behind. Dorans,

:41:43.:41:57.

Meekings. He knows and that was an opportunity. Plenty behind the

:41:58.:42:01.

header, but could not hit the target. Has not scored this season.

:42:02.:42:10.

It would be some occasion to get your first. One minute being added

:42:11.:42:18.

on at the end of the first period of extra time. It is McKay. Considine.

:42:19.:42:40.

Robson came short. For Considine again. He ran into a cul-de-sac.

:42:41.:42:54.

Back to Robson. Rooney. But there was never any danger of that

:42:55.:43:02.

troubling the goalkeeper. Who is the happier manager? They have both put

:43:03.:43:10.

down their notebooks and pencils, they have just resigned themselves

:43:11.:43:17.

to seeing this finishes. -- how this finishes. But nobody can tell at

:43:18.:43:32.

this moment in time. Have time in extra time is imminent. There is the

:43:33.:43:40.

end of the first period of extra time. We are now closer to finding

:43:41.:43:47.

out who is going to win. We are closer, time wise, because there is

:43:48.:43:51.

15 minutes between a potential penalty shoot out. How do you assess

:43:52.:43:59.

things when it is still so close? There is a danger that the game

:44:00.:44:04.

becomes stretched. You win possession, try to run up the other

:44:05.:44:08.

end, lose the ball, suddenly you are all over the pitch. You need

:44:09.:44:13.

patience and to make the other team work. If Aberdeen can get the ball

:44:14.:44:20.

to Rooney or McKay that is their best shape. That will leave them

:44:21.:44:32.

wide open to a soft goal. Still plenty of smiles from Aberdeen. They

:44:33.:44:40.

will make a change, Scott Vernon. He scored a hat-trick against Falkirk

:44:41.:44:47.

in an earlier victory in the competition, a 5-0 win against the

:44:48.:44:52.

championship side. Although he has put his jumper back on. Joining the

:44:53.:45:06.

team talk. Aberdeen's Cup finals, they have had to play extra time on

:45:07.:45:14.

five occasions, a replay against Dundee United, lost. They have won

:45:15.:45:21.

two of the five extra time finals. Against Celtic in 1976, 1977, and

:45:22.:45:33.

against Rangers in 19 89-1990 -- 1989-1990. Scott Vernon not coming

:45:34.:45:42.

and right now, but an option for a penalty shoot out. Rooney still

:45:43.:45:48.

looking like he can get a goal. McGinn still has an energy. Maybe

:45:49.:45:54.

waiting for the moment to bring Vernon on, possibly if it goes as

:45:55.:46:01.

far as a penalty shoot out. How is your nerves? The supporters'

:46:02.:46:13.

nerves will be shredded. 15 minutes of actual football still to be

:46:14.:46:20.

played. The penalties will be taken away to your right. The goal is just

:46:21.:46:28.

in front of the Inverness Caley Thistle supporters. Both teams would

:46:29.:46:34.

rather get it done before then. David Raven finds Nick Ross. Niall

:46:35.:46:46.

McGinn for Aberdeen closing down so well. Ross Draper all over him. Ross

:46:47.:46:55.

Draper has been terrific, getting it forward up to Billy McKay,

:46:56.:47:01.

physically in both boxes, doing a great job in the middle of the park.

:47:02.:47:09.

Raven trying to feed it back there. Just a lucky there. -- just unlucky

:47:10.:47:20.

there. The Dons looking at their best if they get into the right

:47:21.:47:24.

areas. It was not the way, but is now from

:47:25.:47:42.

Tansey. A free kick quickly taken. Inverness in a hurry here. Billy

:47:43.:47:56.

McKay has been on the periphery of this final. Not really getting the

:47:57.:48:02.

ball in the latter stages. Just sliding up the side. Keep your team

:48:03.:48:08.

up the pitch, instead surrendering possession, and no Aberdeen back in

:48:09.:48:14.

the game. -- and now. Hoisted away by Tansey, McKay in an offside

:48:15.:48:29.

position, so could not go for it. Draper again, a colossal presence in

:48:30.:48:34.

the Inverness engine room, Ross Draper, and that change will be made

:48:35.:48:40.

for Aberdeen, Scott Vernon coming on for Andrew Considine. What do you

:48:41.:48:51.

make of that? He is a player you obviously know well, Scott Vernon.

:48:52.:48:57.

He can score a goal. He might just put it in the back of the net. No

:48:58.:49:09.

foul by Daniel Devine. In towards Vernon, but a through to Dean Brill.

:49:10.:49:18.

-- but away through. Still the noise around Celtic Park,

:49:19.:49:54.

but this is the quiet it has been all afternoon. I think that is the

:49:55.:50:00.

nervousness coming through, the fans holding their breath. Anderson all

:50:01.:50:02.

over the place. The pen Aberdeen into their own

:50:03.:50:32.

penalty area. -- they pen. That was Doran, but blocked once more.

:50:33.:50:49.

It is just impossible to call. The fact is, if either team can get the

:50:50.:51:03.

ball into the opposite 18 yard box, there is a chance. But they are

:51:04.:51:08.

tired, concentration starts to move, physically affected, if Aberdeen can

:51:09.:51:14.

get it up there, Scott Vernon has fresh legs and could make the

:51:15.:51:21.

difference. Aaron Doran through to McKay, but the flight will go up. --

:51:22.:51:32.

the flag. Tired legs we spoke about, but he was just offside.

:51:33.:51:46.

Vernon Windsor. -- wins it. Daniel Devine looks like he has played at

:51:47.:52:00.

the heart of the Inverness defence for years. Looking pretty solid.

:52:01.:52:08.

Willo Flood slept, allowing Ryan Christie in. Trying to get Aberdeen

:52:09.:52:23.

away here. It is an Aberdeen free kick, courtesy of Graeme Shinnie,

:52:24.:52:29.

and a yellow card as well for Shinnie. He has put so much into

:52:30.:52:36.

this game, really has. He was not going to be able to chase them into

:52:37.:52:44.

the corner, so here was-- so he was prepared to give away the free kick

:52:45.:52:51.

on behalf of his team. And there is the yellow. A touch cynical from

:52:52.:53:01.

Graeme Shinnie. They have managed extra time in a semifinal with two

:53:02.:53:07.

players less, did Caley Thistle. Aberdeen have a free kick. It

:53:08.:53:13.

minutes to go. Graeme Shinnie looks as if he is really struggling.

:53:14.:53:22.

Robson takes. But it was too high for everyone. Disappointing free

:53:23.:53:28.

kick, not a great opportunity, on that long diagonal, but

:53:29.:53:33.

nevertheless, put it into the area to give someone the chance, make

:53:34.:53:39.

them defend it. Too many free kick from both teams coming from longer

:53:40.:53:44.

distances and not being asked to defend them, running out for goal

:53:45.:53:49.

kick, offer the goalkeeper. The clock ticks down further.

:53:50.:54:02.

That was Devine, but sliced it away, the man from Belfast.

:54:03.:54:28.

Not much movement for Logan, does get it eventually from Vernon, and

:54:29.:54:39.

back to login again. -- back to Logan. Inverness picking up the

:54:40.:54:48.

scraps at the edge of their own penalty area. David Raven cleared

:54:49.:54:54.

and managed to pick out a team-mate in Doran as well. Aberdeen trying to

:54:55.:54:57.

finish extra time strongly here. That was poor. He has been less

:54:58.:55:34.

involved in the second half, and an excellent time, Billy McKay, because

:55:35.:55:40.

they have not got the ball to him, not giving him service, not giving

:55:41.:55:47.

him opportunity. Maybe put it in an area where he could make the result.

:55:48.:56:00.

Willo Flood was looking for Scott Vernon.

:56:01.:56:20.

Puts it out for the goal kick, but went the wrong way. Floating a bit

:56:21.:56:32.

too far, but Barry Robson out I'd is an opportunity to put in a cross

:56:33.:56:40.

that may give Scott Vernon or Adam Rooney a chance. Derek McInnes was

:56:41.:56:46.

famously left out of Walter Smith's Rangers' League Cup final team in

:56:47.:56:52.

1996 played here. He scored several times in the run-up to that.

:56:53.:57:12.

He goes down in the edge of the box, and other free kick and a very good

:57:13.:57:22.

area. Ross Draper, whose penalty took Caley Thistle into the final,

:57:23.:57:27.

will be booked here. His first mistake, it's good because late, but

:57:28.:57:34.

it was a tired lines as he went back inside. -- tired lunge. And a roar

:57:35.:57:40.

from the Aberdeen supporters, sensing this might be their glory

:57:41.:57:45.

moment, minutes away from extra time. Just over three minutes to

:57:46.:57:58.

play. Low and Robson over it. The Inverness Caley Thistle wall move

:57:59.:58:09.

back. Low or Robson. No could be their moment. It is Nicky Low and it

:58:10.:58:22.

was over again. Massive moment therefore Nicky Low -- there for.

:58:23.:58:30.

The headlines were there for him, but just in that area the quality

:58:31.:58:36.

has not been there. These free kicks, corner kicks, not a lot of

:58:37.:58:42.

pressure put on defences, goalkeeper not tested enough. Penalties looming

:58:43.:58:51.

large now. Inverness trying to change that. It is Nick Ross. And it

:58:52.:59:02.

is a free kick. Russell Anderson, what does he make of that? He was

:59:03.:59:11.

pointing up the field, but he could not argue that was a free kick. From

:59:12.:59:18.

an Aberdeen free kick and chants, took Caley Thistle having similar up

:59:19.:59:24.

the end, slightly further out than the Aberdeen free kick we saw a

:59:25.:59:31.

minute ago. The Aberdeen skipper will take up a position inside the

:59:32.:59:37.

penalty area. Like Aberdeen, Inverness have plenty of options

:59:38.:59:43.

from the set these. Tansey, Luke 13-- Draper and Doran possibly.

:59:44.:59:49.

Moving towards the final minute of stoppage time, extra time rather, in

:59:50.:59:56.

the 2014 League Cup final. This could be for the Cup. The worst we

:59:57.:00:06.

have seen yet. The highest one to date. Such a pity, because these

:00:07.:00:12.

situations are such an opportunity to score a winning goal. Into the

:00:13.:00:18.

last veterans of back-up I know, into the top corner, at least make

:00:19.:00:30.

the keeper the save. -- make a save. Is there one last chance in this Cup

:00:31.:00:38.

final question a deep into the final minute. Could not get it over the

:00:39.:00:44.

head of Josh Meekings, Willo Flood. One minute of stoppage time added

:00:45.:00:59.

on. Picked up by Ross Draper. A free kick to Aberdeen. We go into the

:01:00.:01:14.

final minute. Approaching a penalty shoot out. Barry Robson will float

:01:15.:01:25.

this into the box. Aberdeen will get a last chance from normal play.

:01:26.:01:32.

Robson takes. Scott Vernon leaps and wins it. But it goes past. We edged

:01:33.:01:44.

closer to a shoot out. Could not quite get it on target. Man of the

:01:45.:01:54.

match? Several of the Inverness boys deserve a mention. Robson has been

:01:55.:02:00.

excellent for Aberdeen. But I will choose Ross Draper. He has been an

:02:01.:02:09.

anchor. It is penalties, folks. The League Cup final will be decided by

:02:10.:02:15.

a shoot out. Aberdeen against Inverness Caley Thistle. The Dons

:02:16.:02:19.

came closest, hitting the post in the first-half. It feels like a very

:02:20.:02:25.

long time ago. It is time for heroes and villains. 0-0 after extra time.

:02:26.:02:34.

Aberdeen and Inverness Caley Thistle have had their chances to win this

:02:35.:02:40.

in open play. Those chances have gone after two hours of trying. It

:02:41.:02:48.

will all come down to penalty kicks. Holding your nerve as much as

:02:49.:02:53.

anything else. It is tense, dramatic, exciting, but not if you

:02:54.:03:01.

lose. They have both had penalty shoot out victories in the

:03:02.:03:05.

competition this season, Aberdeen defeated Alloa, Caley Thistle

:03:06.:03:11.

defeated Heart of Midlothian. Who do we favour in the studio? Michael,

:03:12.:03:20.

Willie, and firstly Charlie. We know who Charlie favours ex-Commissioner

:03:21.:03:34.

-- and will be hoping his son does not miss one. Fingers crossed. You

:03:35.:03:43.

are looking over the shoulder of the manager to see what names he has

:03:44.:03:46.

scribbled down, perhaps hoping your name is not on it! Usually you know

:03:47.:03:56.

before kick-off who will take the penalties. Though it might change

:03:57.:04:00.

during the course of the game. It can be about confidence. But it is a

:04:01.:04:08.

horrible position to be in. I have been there on a few occasions

:04:09.:04:21.

myself. Let's not mention Berlin! I did not want to take a penalty that

:04:22.:04:25.

night, but as captain it was my responsibility. But it can be great

:04:26.:04:33.

for goalkeepers, one of them will be a hero. And physical fitness comes

:04:34.:04:43.

into it. If you are tired, you will be mentally tired, which can have an

:04:44.:04:52.

effect. I would be sure Barry Robson will take one. His delivery is

:04:53.:04:59.

normally fantastic, but his set pieces today have not been the same

:05:00.:05:04.

standard. Will his confidence levels be as high as normal? That has a

:05:05.:05:16.

huge airing on it. -- bearing. Is it a football lottery at this point,

:05:17.:05:23.

Charlie? I really think it is. The goalkeeper guesses correctly and you

:05:24.:05:30.

can win it. Jamie Langfield is readying himself for what is to

:05:31.:05:37.

come. Penalty shoot out time. It will be described by Mark McGhee and

:05:38.:05:39.

Liam McLeod. Three times before a penalty shoot

:05:40.:05:48.

out has settled the League Cup final. McKay with the first one,

:05:49.:05:56.

against Langfield, saved! Advantage Aberdeen! It was a poor penalty. Not

:05:57.:06:06.

struck decisively. You need to have practised. You need to know, when

:06:07.:06:11.

you walk, exactly what you are going to do. Where you are going to put

:06:12.:06:18.

it. Strike it with conviction. That was indecisive. No conviction. Barry

:06:19.:06:28.

Robson for Aberdeen. A chance to put them ahead in the shoot out. No

:06:29.:06:45.

mistake! I like a big run up. You give yourself space, time to relax.

:06:46.:06:50.

Build momentum. He has scored a good penalty. Caley Thistle wonder they

:06:51.:06:57.

are shoot out against hearts in the semifinal. Aberdeen defeated Alloa.

:06:58.:07:06.

Greg Tansey will take the second for Inverness. They missed their first.

:07:07.:07:20.

Tansey, who scored in the semifinal. Puts it over! It is going horribly

:07:21.:07:27.

wrong in the shoot out for the Highlanders. Langfield not needed

:07:28.:07:41.

for that one. It really is advantage, Aberdeen. Especially if

:07:42.:07:51.

Mickey Lowe can fire this past Brill. This would put Aberdeen 2-0

:07:52.:07:58.

up, within touching distance of their first silverware in almost two

:07:59.:08:08.

decades. Mickey Lowe, who came on as a substitute for Smith earlier. What

:08:09.:08:18.

a moment. And he scores! They are very close now, the red Army. A

:08:19.:08:34.

great penalty from Lowe. It sent Brill the wrong way. Nick Ross knows

:08:35.:08:39.

what it means for Caley Thistle. He has got to score. And he does!

:08:40.:08:47.

That's certainly did not lack conviction. A great penalty kick.

:08:48.:08:56.

Inverness make it 2-1 in the shoot out. But Aberdeen have taken one

:08:57.:09:08.

less penalty. Scott Vernon, to lump an enormous amount of pressure on

:09:09.:09:14.

the next Caley Thistle taker. It is a brilliant penalty again. Wonderful

:09:15.:09:21.

spot kick from Vernon. Now, Aaron Dorans has to score. A great penalty

:09:22.:09:29.

kick. Just opens his foot up, slides it, with a bit of power. Great

:09:30.:09:36.

penalty. If Dorans misses, Aberdeen have won the League Cup. It is as

:09:37.:09:44.

cool as you like. There is still life in the shoot out. But for how

:09:45.:09:54.

much longer? Stewart Milne knows Aberdeen are so close to that long,

:09:55.:09:59.

long-awaited trophy. If there is anybody would want to take it, it is

:10:00.:10:05.

this man. A penalty to win the cup, you would put your money on him. Six

:10:06.:10:11.

goals from eight games before today, Adam Rooney, a chance to win

:10:12.:10:19.

the cup for Aberdeen... And he does! Two decades of pain, hurt, and

:10:20.:10:25.

ridicule at the hands of others, is over for Aberdeen! Derek McInnes has

:10:26.:10:33.

guided them to silverware within one year of taking the job. The sleeping

:10:34.:10:40.

giant of Scottish football has finally woken from its slumber. A

:10:41.:10:45.

memorable season has a silver lining woven into it now. The chairman

:10:46.:11:03.

celebrates. The 1950s, 1976, 1985, 1989, 1995, Reid 2014. A sixth

:11:04.:11:25.

League Cup has been one. Heartbreak for the Highlanders. Caley Thistle

:11:26.:11:33.

were resolute throughout. Condolences passed on by their

:11:34.:11:39.

supporters, they have heartbreakingly lost out. We can now

:11:40.:11:45.

speak to an Aberdeen hero, Barry Robson. You did it the hard way. How

:11:46.:11:56.

do you feel? We won, that is all I am interested in. I am lucky enough

:11:57.:12:06.

to have been here before, but this means as much. The boys showed

:12:07.:12:13.

tremendous spirit under pressure. It is a credit to the players and

:12:14.:12:16.

management that we have brought this back to Aberdeen. What does the

:12:17.:12:25.

backing of the fans mean? We are delighted to have won it for them.

:12:26.:12:32.

Derek McInnes has given Pittodrie 18 to be proud of again. A city will

:12:33.:12:38.

rejoice tonight. -- given Pittodrie a team. And a Scottish cup semifinal

:12:39.:12:47.

against Saint Johnstone to come, a potential Scottish Cup final back

:12:48.:12:52.

here in May. Second place in the league is achievable. 40,000

:12:53.:12:57.

supporters have come down to Glasgow for this game and know that. We are

:12:58.:13:02.

with Derek McInnes. How does it feel?

:13:03.:13:09.

Absolutely ecstatic. You see what it means to so many people. We were

:13:10.:13:15.

well aware of what it meant to get a trophy again and make Aberdeen

:13:16.:13:19.

successful. We burned at the right to be in this final, it was tight,

:13:20.:13:23.

but when it came down to penalty kicks, you need to back yourself,

:13:24.:13:28.

take them with confidence. Thankfully, Jamie saved one. It is

:13:29.:13:34.

unfortunate for Inverness. They made a good final, tight. But our

:13:35.:13:40.

overriding priority was to win the game, no matter how we did it. How

:13:41.:13:46.

did your players handle the pressure of being favourites? We were

:13:47.:13:52.

excellent. We lacked a little bit of pace going forward, with Peter

:13:53.:13:57.

Pawlett missing out, and the real blow for Jonny Hayes. That took our

:13:58.:14:03.

dynamic away from us as an attacking force, but I thought we were the

:14:04.:14:06.

better team in terms of controlling the game. The mental strength of

:14:07.:14:16.

these boys, not one minute did doubt them. They were more than strong

:14:17.:14:24.

enough to handle the occasion. The Northern lights of old Aberdeen

:14:25.:14:28.

are where they want to be and glittering almost as brightly as

:14:29.:14:31.

those lights will be the Scottish League Cup trophy when it is on its

:14:32.:14:35.

way back to a seriously deprived Pittodrie trophy cabinet. 18 years

:14:36.:14:42.

of nothing wiped out in one glorious afternoon. It finishes, at Celtic

:14:43.:14:49.

Park, the League Cup final, Aberdeen and nil -Lil Caley Thistle, the Dons

:14:50.:14:52.

winning 4-2 on penalties. -- 0-0. It has been a long time coming,

:14:53.:15:13.

November 1995 when they last had a trophy in their possession. There is

:15:14.:15:20.

Jonny Hayes, who had to go off so early on, pain and tears for him,

:15:21.:15:27.

but joy for everyone in red as March 2014 becomes another big date in the

:15:28.:15:31.

calendar for Aberdeen Football Club. Willie Miller, home are you

:15:32.:15:36.

feeling? Wonderful for the fans, 40,000 odd down this afternoon,

:15:37.:15:41.

readily enjoying it, it went quiet towards the end, into extra time,

:15:42.:15:47.

but their faith has been rewarded by this team lifting the trophy. I must

:15:48.:15:53.

raise Inverness Caley Thistle as well for their effort this

:15:54.:15:58.

afternoon. It was not a classic game, but very competitive, John

:15:59.:16:03.

Hughes obviously disappointed, but not by the effort from his team.

:16:04.:16:09.

Charlie, a really painful way to lose? It is, credit to Aberdeen,

:16:10.:16:15.

showing the size of club that they really are, the second biggest club

:16:16.:16:21.

in the SPL at the moment proving that today. The frustrating thing

:16:22.:16:27.

for me was Dean Brill could not get close to the penalties, they were so

:16:28.:16:32.

well taken, Adam Rooney quite fitting, ex-Inverness player,

:16:33.:16:37.

football can be a funny game. It was him who put Inverness on the map,

:16:38.:16:43.

then scoring the winning penalty. But the dead Inverness proud. I do

:16:44.:16:50.

not think it will be too long before they are back in a Cup final. -- but

:16:51.:16:57.

they did Inverness proud. Not the greatest game, but everyone in red

:16:58.:17:03.

not caring. Yes, the one resounding thing you heard was it was winning

:17:04.:17:09.

that mattered, which is what they have done, I huge milestone for the

:17:10.:17:16.

club to get this trophy, such a long time, and it was about winning this

:17:17.:17:23.

game and they have done it. Time for Aberdeen to pick up their prize.

:17:24.:17:29.

The Aberdeen players loving this. As well be might. The trophy on its way

:17:30.:17:37.

out to the park. Red and white ribbons. Anton from the SFPL, who is

:17:38.:17:47.

arranging the trophy for the presentation. Not quite what we see

:17:48.:17:53.

normally at Hampden Park. Jim Leighton and Derek McInnes there.

:17:54.:18:01.

They do not have the facilities at Celtic Park for the normal trophy

:18:02.:18:06.

presentation, so the podium in the middle will have to do, but Aberdeen

:18:07.:18:13.

don't care. They do not clear where or when. -- do not care. Want you

:18:14.:18:19.

make of the Aberdeen revolution, Mark, a club you know well? -- what

:18:20.:18:27.

do you make? They have done so well. Ross Draper getting man of the match

:18:28.:18:34.

award. He was absolutely terrific, the demise in what Inverness were

:18:35.:18:39.

about, pulling them around, forcing them around, working as hard as

:18:40.:18:45.

anyone on the field. Caley Thistle players, a cliche in football, the

:18:46.:18:53.

worst round losing is the semifinal, but I do not think so, it is the

:18:54.:19:00.

final, their first major final. It can only hold them in good stead,

:19:01.:19:07.

giving them the belief that they are here and now, a team that can

:19:08.:19:12.

compete in Scotland, can win trophies, all fully back with an

:19:13.:19:17.

opportunity to do it in future seasons. -- of fully. -- hopefully.

:19:18.:19:23.

The praise they will be given not amounting to much, even given the

:19:24.:19:29.

runners-up medals. Some relatives there. We should mention John

:19:30.:19:37.

Hughes. We have spoken about Derek 's fantastic job in the improvement

:19:38.:19:43.

in the team and club fortunes, which will insure, and I do not think this

:19:44.:19:50.

is just a blip. They could be in another final at the end of the

:19:51.:19:56.

season, and they will go on and prove things. They have themselves

:19:57.:20:02.

the right runner. Ryan Esson, former Aberdeen keeper, involved the last

:20:03.:20:07.

time Aberdeen were in a Cup I not, or not involved as it ended up

:20:08.:20:13.

being, part of the squad but left out by the then manager. The

:20:14.:20:18.

referees getting the mentors as well. The referees were excellent.

:20:19.:20:24.

Maybe one penalty missed when Anderson was all over the back of

:20:25.:20:30.

Foran. One in the first half I still disagree with, going down too

:20:31.:20:36.

easily, I do not think it was a penalty, but otherwise a fantastic

:20:37.:20:41.

game for the referee. Aberdeen will step forward to pick up the League

:20:42.:20:47.

Cup for the six time, the third most accessible club in this competition,

:20:48.:20:52.

waiting a long, long time. -- most successful. A whole generation of

:20:53.:20:57.

supporters not witnessing this. But they will step forward having won

:20:58.:21:01.

this on penalties, Willo Flood leading the team cops are -- leading

:21:02.:21:08.

the team, it will be captain last stop Niall McGinn had a great chance

:21:09.:21:13.

as well. Barry Robson, finally winning a medal eyed with the one he

:21:14.:21:19.

won at Celtic. Andrew Considine through thick and thin with

:21:20.:21:23.

Aberdeen. Mark Reynolds, signing a new long-term deal. A great thing

:21:24.:21:27.

about the Aberdeen squad, most signed up to long-term deals. Jonny

:21:28.:21:33.

Hayes in a sling having coming off after a few minutes. Adam Rooney

:21:34.:21:38.

scoring the decisive penalty. Eventually, Russell Anderson will go

:21:39.:21:44.

up to live that trophy, and who can begrudge this honour this would --

:21:45.:21:50.

restored upon him? Derek McInnes within one year taking Aberdeen to

:21:51.:21:55.

an major trophy, but Basil Anderson, at the age of 35, more than 400

:21:56.:22:02.

appearances for the Dons, his club, Aberdeen supporter, -- Russell

:22:03.:22:07.

Anderson. He is from the Granite City, and he will live the 2014

:22:08.:22:15.

Scottish League Cup, which has been won by Aberdeen! -- he will lift.

:22:16.:22:36.

Part head is Park Red this Sunday afternoon. -- Parkhead is Park Red!

:22:37.:22:52.

There can be no argument now. The progress that Aberdeen have made

:22:53.:22:58.

under the new manager. That big piece of silver proving that. That

:22:59.:23:07.

night will be a tear in the eye of Stewart Milne, through thick and

:23:08.:23:12.

thin as well, some horrible times under his chairmanship, the

:23:13.:23:17.

undoubted highlight. CHEERING. Derek McInnes, Tony Doherty's assistant, a

:23:18.:23:23.

big part of the success story as well. So many non-used players,

:23:24.:23:30.

Calvin Zola, Peter Pawlett, such a big mess, which you could see in

:23:31.:23:35.

open play to date. He played his part in the run-up to this. -- Peter

:23:36.:23:41.

Pawlett, such a big miss. Niall McGinn, Player of the Year last

:23:42.:23:45.

season. Alongside Cammy Smith, coming on as substitute for Jonny

:23:46.:23:50.

Hayes after just five minutes. Big special moment for the 18 is macro.

:23:51.:23:56.

Bigger Pollard with Jonny Hayes, both brilliant this season. -- big

:23:57.:24:02.

special moment for the 18-year-old. Peter Pawlett Jonny Hayes there.

:24:03.:24:09.

Russell, you know what it means more than most to lift the trophy,

:24:10.:24:13.

describe it. Incredible feeling, long time coming, very nervous and

:24:14.:24:21.

tense day, as long as the game went on, you wondered if it would go to

:24:22.:24:27.

penalties, but fortunately, doing well, taking some great penalties

:24:28.:24:31.

and we deserve it. Terrific journey under Derek McInnes, describe the

:24:32.:24:37.

difference he has made. You see the players playing full of confidence,

:24:38.:24:42.

everyone knows what they should do, what is expected, and winning breeds

:24:43.:24:48.

confidence, so the more you win, the better you feel at this season has

:24:49.:24:54.

so far been really good. Aberdeen have intentionally another Cup final

:24:55.:24:59.

this season. You would like to think it will not hinder as at least, and

:25:00.:25:06.

maybe it will give us the confidence to finish the season strongly. I

:25:07.:25:12.

will let you celebrate and bring in another hero, I'd Jamie Langfield,

:25:13.:25:18.

not too much to do during the game, but penalty saves crucial in getting

:25:19.:25:23.

the advantage. Yes, penalties can be one way or the other, I was glad to

:25:24.:25:31.

get us in front. Inverness gave it their all. We gave everything we

:25:32.:25:38.

had. I do not think it matters what the result is, as long as you get

:25:39.:25:45.

the Cup. We could not be any happier. You could not do anything

:25:46.:25:52.

else, but you could not let anyone down with their support behind you.

:25:53.:25:58.

We are grateful, it is great for them, great for us, for the club,

:25:59.:26:04.

the chairman, manager. We will enjoy ourselves and deserve it. Well done.

:26:05.:26:09.

Thank you very much. There were up to 8000 reasons to

:26:10.:26:14.

disputed earlier, but Celtic Park is simply red and it is pure and

:26:15.:26:20.

unadulterated joy for the Aberdeen supporters, who have suffered a lot

:26:21.:26:25.

of pain, but today and tonight, Willie Miller, it is all joy. It is,

:26:26.:26:32.

for the fans, for the club, for the directors, everyone working at the

:26:33.:26:38.

club, it is a fantastic club, I have been most of my life, and good to

:26:39.:26:46.

see them in a happy mood. I was going to say just before the

:26:47.:26:50.

presentation, huge word for Russell Anderson, a magnificent captain, he

:26:51.:26:56.

leads by example, it would have been dreadful for him to go through a

:26:57.:27:02.

whole career and not lift a trophy and wonderful to see him lift the

:27:03.:27:08.

trophy and you can see what it means to him, local lad, went through the

:27:09.:27:13.

development setup, gave everything to the club, total gentleman, I am

:27:14.:27:19.

delighted for him and everyone at Aberdeen. Michael, Aberdeen will

:27:20.:27:20.

this triggers long range success? And that is it. We will have

:27:21.:27:50.

reaction from Aberdeen tonight to this success. Thank you to

:27:51.:27:56.

everyone. For Aberdeen, the long wait is over. They have some

:27:57.:28:00.

silverware to celebrate wine leave from Celtic Park. From all of us,

:28:01.:28:14.

goodbye for now. -- to celebrate when leaving Celtic Park.

:28:15.:28:16.

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