A day of the week

Ah the Scottish Cup. Lower league opposition. A caker. But wait, not when you are the mercurial Aberdeen Football Club. Well done to all at Raith Rovers and a speedy recovery to Mark Campbell. I'll certainly be hoping they can go on and lift the trophy!

While I feel sorry for Mark McGhee, he is not without faults himself. He's had 2 transfer windows to change things, and done nothing of note. It was (and quite painfully still is) blatently obvious where our shortcomings lie. His signings have been average to say the least and none of them have really added anything of note to the mix:

Nelson: Never played a competitive game
Ifil: Abysmal
Grassi: See above
Marshall: Jury still out
Paterson: Jury still out
MacLean: Jury still out

That's not to say he hasn't tried. The stark reality is that insufficient backing from the board of directors and a decreased budget season upon season mean that it's now impossible to compete for players with even the English 3rd division. Painful stuff.

Coupled with the fact he's 'led' us to our worst ever European result, been sent packing in both cups by lower league opposition yet again and lost to the likes of Hamilton and Falkirk at home, it doesn't make for pretty reading. The only decent game i've seen all season was against Celtic (see below), and that was due to horrific defending by both sides.

Now, it's quite obvious the board are not backing McGhee with any funds whatsoever but I can't understand how any fans can put up with rubbish like this. It's simply not acceptable. I'm not saying we should be expecting to beat anyone, but I at least want to see some fight and passion on the park and that is sadly lacking. The product on the pitch is atrocious.

This club is rotten from the core.

Milne out.
Miller out.
All the playing staff who are out of contract this season, get rid.
Tea lady out.

Something needs to be done ASAP. We can't all sit here and 'write this season off' as many are saying. What is going to change next year? Nothing if things keep going in this manner. A couple of loan players from Plymouth won't cut the mustard for next season. Wholesale changes from top to bottom are needed and I think it needs to start with messrs Miller and Milne making way at the helm.

Let's not take anything away from Raith Rovers however. They have to be applauded for picking themselves up from losing an equalising goal late in the first game and finishing the job off up here. If the Aberdeen players showed half as much determination and grit as them we wouldn't be in this situation. Although I wish i'd stuck my bet from the first game on again... 1-0 Raith, Tade to score first. Typical.

And as for the vile moron who spat on Mark McGhee, absolutely unforgivable. The man deserves more respect and I hope the individual in question is thoroughly ashamed and issues a personal apology to Mark, not to mention never returning to Pittodrie again.

Anyone want a season ticket?

2010! Already. And all in Dons land was quiet and dismal. That was until the visit of the green half of the bigot brothers. The Dons had the added bonus of my Rangers supporting father being in the crowd today, so it was always going to be a spicy one (the Dons always win when he comes along).

So off we trot to Pittodrie, passing the masses of weird and wonderful 'characters' (complete and utter scum), on the way to the Dick Donald stand and settle down with a bovril to watch the ensuing hammering (judging by recent results and performances).

Sure enough, right on cue, we go 1-0 down within minutes of kick off. HERE WE GO AGAIN! It's going to be a long afternoon at this point. But no, we don't crumble just quite yet, and indeed score a quite wonderful leveller through Paton with a low volley past a helpless Boruc.

Things are looking up, but hark, what's that.... yes, more horrendous defending leaving the disgustingly 'weegie like' Brown (thought he was a good scottish lad till he signed for the ugly sisters) to tear our midfield apart and Celtic score the easiest of chances. Woeful.

However, it seems there is something in the air today. The Dons storm back up the park and Paterson whips in a fantastic cross. It falls to the much maligned Darren Mackie at the back post who shows great composure to chest the ball down and unleash a cracking volley into the bottom corner. Man of the match by a country mile. 2-2. Game on.

Into the second half. The Dons are huffing and puffing. The referee is doing his best to deny us everything. Not to mention letting Cetic away with murder. MacLean is halved by Boruc in the box. Penalty. Don't be silly.

Celtic then take the lead through another poor goal. Diamond caught out. Langfield in no mans land. Keane nips in. Disaster.

A couple of minutes later and it's all over. Short corner. McGeady given too much room. 4-2. Goodnight Irene.

I turn to the boys. 'Bugger this... pint?' Nah, give it 5 mins. Soo we settle down in vain hope of a fightback. Another Dons chance. Cleared off the line. It's not happening. Then a moment of madness from Celtic. Clear handball in the box. Penalty. The ref actually gives it. Praise be. MacLean steps up to dispatch. It's still on. 15 minutes left.

The Dons throw everything at Celtic. Cleared off the line again. COME ON YOU REDS! Mackie wins the ball in the box. Lays it off. Comes back to him. Hits a shot towards goal, takes a deflection into the path of MacLean who makes no mistake and Pittodrie erupts as he careers along the Richard Donald concourse with his red shirt held aloft. Magical. Lee who...?

Phew. One of the best games i've ever seen. A more than deserved point for the Dons and a game which must have been a real treat for the TV audience. Lets hope for many more like it.