Aberdeen face Dundee United this Sunday at Tannadice in the Tennent's Scottish Cup quarter-finals hoping to reach the semi-final stage for the first time in five years. The omens are good, for on that occasion the Dons also played Dundee United, also at the quarter final stage, also at Tannadice and also on a Sunday. Sunday the 12th of March to be precise, in front of a crowd of only 6733, and a certain Eoin Jess tucked the ball away after a period of sustained United pressure in the 83rd minute. The goal came on the counter-attack after a superb bit of play involving Rachid Belabed and Arild Stavrum.
There are plenty of websites, newspapers, etc to visit for previews of Sunday's game, so instead I have decided to take a look at five Dons stars from the cup run of 2000 and compare them with five current players who could have a big impact this weekend.
2000
Jim Leighton
Nationality: Scottish
Age: 41
At Pittodrie after an absence of 9 years at Manchester United, Dundee and Hibs, Leighton played in the all-conquering Aberdeen side of the 80s. He also collected 91 caps for Scotland in an illustrious international career before retiring from the international scene in October 1998. Big bandy Jim did much to help settle an inexperienced Dons defence in Ebbe Skovdahl's first season in charge, and despite his years had a splendid display in the quarter final tie with United making several crucial saves. Sadly did not see out the competition due to Rod Wallace's sickening and unpunished late challenge after only 2 minutes of the final.
2005
Ryan Esson
Nationality: Scottish
Age: 24
David Preece's deputy has had a difficult time in the last few months with his inclusion coinciding with the Dons' slump. However, Ryan has played in all Aberdeen's Scottish Cup ties this year, and has a 100% record having only conceded one goal, so it may be that he is our lucky mascot. With the addition of Jamie Langfield to the Dons squad in summer, it is unlikely that Ryan will emulate big Jim's record at Pittodrie though.
2000
Russell Anderson
Nationality: Scottish
Age: 21
The emerging young defender was one of the few successes of Aberdeen's poor season in 2000. Anderson earned a call-up to the full national squad in this season, having represented his country at under-16, under-18 and under-21 level. Having replaced former captain Stewart McKimmie at right back, Anderson went from strength to strength despite the Dons' dreadful goals against column. The question was: would he continue to progress as he had done? If so, international caps were sure to come his way…
2005
Russell Anderson
Nationality: Scottish
Age: 26
Russell has exceeded all expectations after starting his career at right back and looking like an unlikely future hero. But that is exactly what he has become, as club captain and Scotland squad regular, after maturing under Ebbe Skovdahl. Another commanding performance from Russell on Sunday should see Ryan Esson basically untroubled for the ninety minutes, and a replay at the very least guaranteed.
Arguably, the equivalent of the 2000 vintage of Russell Anderson in 2005 is Michael Hart. The lad is progressing extremely well under Jimmy Calderwood after a terrible start under Steve Paterson, and it is possible that Scotland caps are not out of the question if his development continues.
2000
Andy Dow
Nationality: Scottish
Age: 26
Another of the few successes at Pittodrie during this season, Andy Dow earned the adulation of the Aberdeen fans by breaking the club's scoring duck in the seventh match of the season. He scored vital goals throughout the campaign, including the winner against Rangers in the CIS Insurance Cup and the equaliser in the Scottish Cup semi-final against Hibs. He possesses an excellent left foot which he used to great effect on foraging runs up the wing and at dead ball situations. A bit of a one-season wonder at the Dons, for in the following seasons Dowser failed to live up to his hero status in 2000. Still fondly remembered.
2005
Chris Clark
Nationality: Scottish
Age:24
While Dow was the left-side outlet for many of Aberdeen's moves in 2000, that task has been handed to Clark in 2005 with mixed success. At the end of last season and the beginning of this, the signs were good. Clark's defensive side was improving, and his explosive, direct style perfect for the counter-attack. However, an injury put him out for a month or so, and he has not come back the same player. Jimmy Calderwood has noticed this, dropping him for last week's game, and a slightly revitalised-looking Clark sprang from the bench late in that game. The jury is still out on Clark, but many fans will remember how he and Kevin McNaughton rampaged all over United's defence in the 5-3 victory in September 2000 and will be hoping for a repeat on Sunday.
2000
Eoin Jess
Nationality: Scottish
Age: 29
The underused Scotland international was often the key to how Aberdeen performed. At his best, Jess could turn matches, but when not on form, he could be highly frustrating. He should definitely have made much more of his career than he has done, with moves to middling English clubs blighting his progress. Despite Pittodrie legend status, it is fair to say that Jess has criminally underperformed in his career. A standout in this Dons team, Eoin scored the winning goal at Tannadice in the quarter final to take the Red Army to Hampden.
2005
Kevin McNaughton
Nationality: Scottish
Age: 22
Arguably as talented and certainly as frustrating as Jess, Super Kev continues to have the fans full support while generally putting in deeply flawed performances. I could write several paragraphs on McNaughton, but instead I simply ask you to cast your minds back one week. Kevin is having a sub-standard performance, as he has done for most of the season. Then, he gets the ball just inside Livingston's half, dribbles round a couple of players and strokes the ball into the bottom corner like it was his 200th goal for the Reds, not his 2nd. Makes us tear our hair out, but we love him.
2000
Arild Stavrum
Nationality: Norwegian
Age: 28
Arild Stavrum was in good scoring form in 2000, with 11 goals to his credit. Stavrum joined the club in November 1999 from Swedish side Helsinborgs where he had been top scorer for three seasons. He is another player who pitched in with a number of vital goals in this year, including the goal against Hibs which put the Dons in the cup final. Known as much for his penchant for reading Dostoeyevsky and painting as he is for goalscoring, Arild set up Jess for the winning goal against the Arabs.
2005
Noel Whelan
Nationality: English
Age: 30
While it is doubtful that he curls up with Crime and Punishment of an evening, preferring a slightly more hedonistic lifestyle, Whelan possesses the ability to become the poacher that Aberdeen have lacked since Arild left. A more robust and aggressive player than Stavrum, Noel likes to mix it with opposition defences but lacks Stavrum's thinking and touch. His goal last week against Livingston will hopefully open the floodgates and a goal on Sunday would make him a hero even amongst the doubters.
The Managers.
2000
Ebbe Skovdahl
Nationality: Danish
2005
Jimmy Calderwood
Nationality: Scottish
Ebbe had a terrible first season at Aberdeen, finishing bottom of the SPL with well-documented losing runs and goalless runs. But it must be remembered that this was the start of major change at the club instigated by the boardroom, and this is partially the reason why Aberdeen Football Club are not in the same state at the likes of Livingston and Dundee just now, or placing themselves in the potentially perilous position of Hearts. Jimmy Calderwood has much to thank Ebbe for, in bringing through and nurturing youngsters like the aforementioned McNaughton, Clark and Anderson (and even the Youngs who Jimmy brought to Dunfermline!)
The managers have much in common – experience, particularly of European football, excellent reputations, and a fondness of media soundbites (some more successful than others – perhaps Jimmy could take a leaf out of Ebbe's book here!). There is one main difference that has worked for Jimmy though – experience and knowledge of the Scottish game itself. It is a bit early to pass judgement on Jimmy, but if he mirrors Ebbe's run to the Scottish Cup final, he will go a long way to earning the fans' respect and admiration.
The fixture between Dundee Utd and Aberdeen takes place this Sunday at 12.00 and is live on Sky Sports. There are only a few hundred tickets left for Dons fans, so grab them quickly! The game is the day after my 31st birthday, and I cannot think of a better present than a trip to a semi-final, so come on you Reds!
Stand Free
Cms1903
Archive material courtesy of bbc.co.uk
