Defender Mats Knoester reveals manager Jimmy Thelin was angry with the Aberdeen squad in the final weeks of the season as they slumped to fifth in the Scottish Premiership. (Press and Journal - subscription required), external
'Anything can happen' - Polvara on Aberdeen's final chances
Dante Polvara is well aware Aberdeen have been written off by many as no-hopers in the Scottish Cup final.
He isn't bothered. In fact, the American midfielder is convinced the Dons can thrive on their underdog status against Celtic.
"In a weird way, it makes it a bit nicer knowing there's no pressure on you, right? So you can really go out there and go for it," Polvara told BBC Scotland.
"We obviously put pressure on ourselves, but outside of the city there's no real pressure, no expectation.
"That kind of gives us the licence and belief, like, okay, everyone's against us, and that lets you form a bit of a tighter-knit group and a real belief within.
"We do have the potential to prove people wrong. We've done it in big games before. We've upset teams in the past since I've been here.
"So you get it right on the day, you get some luck from the football gods, and you never know what could happen."
Polvara, 24, is no longer overawed by the prospect of heading to the national stadium with silverware at stake.
"It must be my fifth or sixth game at Hampden. At first it can be quite daunting," he added.
"It's obviously a different set-up than any of us are used to with 50-50 fans. The fans are quite far from the pitch and getting used to a new environment is sometimes tough.
"Compared to the first time, I'm in a much better place mentally to approach it just with less emotion and approach it in a more professional manner.
"I can't wait. It's a great way to end the season and it would be even better to have a parade through the city."
Seven different players have scored a combined 12 goals on Aberdeen's route to this season's Scottish Cup final.
But who could be the Dons' hero on Saturday if they are to upset the odds against treble-chasing Celtic and lift the trophy for the first time since 1990?
Oday Dabbagh, who netted the extra-time winner over Hearts in the semi, is Aberdeen's top scorer in the tournament with three goals, with Kevin Nisbet and departed Duk on two goals each.
Will Dabbagh repeat those heroics at the weekend? Could Nisbet inspire the side to a historic win? Or are you backing someone else to make themselves a legend?
Aberdeen's first Scottish Cup final since 2017 is looming.
Can the Dons stun Celtic at Hampden on Saturday to crown Jimmy Thelin's first season in charge with a glorious triumph?
To get you in the mood, watch all the goals on the Reds' road to the final.
Fourth round: Aberdeen breeze past Elgin City 3-0
Fifth round: Dons fire three past Dunfermline to progress
Quarter-finals: Aberdeen sail past Queen's Park 4-1
Semi-final: Dons edge out nine-man Hearts in extra time
Follow the Scottish Cup final across BBC Sport, with live coverage on BBC One Scotland, Radio Scotland, iPlayer and the BBC Sport website and app.
Image source, SNSA bandaged and bruised Jack MacKenzie at Aberdeen training
Aberdeen defender Jack MacKenzie is available for Saturday's Scottish Cup final against Celtic following the facial injury he sustained after being hit by a section of seating thrown at Tannadice.
MacKenzie, an unused substitute against Dundee United, was taken down the tunnel in a wheelchair after being caught on the face by the object, which came from a section housing Dons ers.
A 31-year-old man has been charged with "acting in a culpable and reckless manner" in connection with the incident.
"Jack MacKenzie has trained on the pitch today, and he was okay," said manager Jimmy Thelin. "He is available for Saturday's game.
"We have a strong network, good team-mates and good staff.
"Jack is a strong guy, he has been performing well in the sessions. We also try to look forwards and not back. We have been taking care of him and he is doing well."
Aberdeen will have around 20,000 fans at Hampden at the weekend and Thelin was quick to stress that the behaviour of one individual should not reflect badly on the wider .
"No matter what you do in life, if it's football or something else, you have to feel safe in your job of course," he said.
"Incidents can happen, and it's not okay, but it can happen. But overall if you think about the big picture, all the we've had this year from the Aberdeen football family, it has been an incredible experience for me to be involved with across the year, all the emotions from the season.
"Overall it is an amazing club with amazing ers, so sometimes incidents can happen and it's not okay, and it could have been even worse, but if you look at the bigger picture it has been a good year in my opinion."
Saturday's match will be the first final of Thelin's managerial career, with Aberdeen aiming to win the cup for the first time in 35 years.
"We have a clear plan of what we're going to do," said the Swede.
"I think the Scottish Cup has a really big history, it's a big thing, and you can feel it already around the club and around the country. We are really excited for this moment, everyone."
Liam McLeod
BBC Sport Scotland Commentator
Scottish Cup final 1990: Dons spot on against Celtic
Much will be said and written about one of the strangest league seasons in Aberdeen's history as they eventually dropped to fifth place in the final Premiership standings.
Having been bottom six last term it is an improvement on the face of it, but many will feel a lingering sense of disappointment given the strong position they occupied in November.
As focus now turns to Saturday's Scottish Cup final, what happened in the league will be forgotten if they can upset the odds at Hampden Park.
The Dons are massive long shots. Bookmakers make Celtic 1/7 odds-on favourites to complete a domestic treble. In other words, they give Aberdeen next to no chance of ending a 35-year wait for a trophy they won five times in eight years from 1982 to their last success in 1990.
Indeed, you won't find anyone outside Aberdeen giving them a prayer and that is something manager Jimmy Thelin will surely tap into this week with his players. After all, there is always a chance.
Given Brendan Rodgers' side have run in 10 goals in the past two meetings and hit Thelin's men for six at the national stadium in November's League Cup semi-final, it is little surprise Aberdeen are such underdogs.
The fact they go into the final on the back of four successive defeats means they are hardly in great shape to face the best team in the country for the silverware.
So, how do the Dons cause one of the biggest Scottish Cup final upsets in the competition's 152-year history?
You have to go back to 1994 for inspiration when Dundee United defeated Walter Smith's dominant Rangers side. The Ibrox club were huge favourites and like Celtic this season, were on a treble, only to have it scuppered by Craig Brewster's goal.
Yes, Hearts beat Rangers fours years later but Smith's team was ageing by then, had missed out on 10 in a row and Jim Jefferies' men had competed well at the top of the league that season.
Before '94, you are probably going back to Eddie Turnbull's Aberdeen getting one over Jock Stein's Celtic in 1970 for a bona fide shock result in a Scottish Cup final. Stein's side featured eight Lisbon Lions, but the Dons won 3-1.
The last time Aberdeen lifted the trophy in 1990 after an energy-sapping penalty shootout, they were a better team than Celtic and had won the League Cup earlier that season so it wasn't a surprising outcome.
The gap between the two has flipped dramatically since then while Rodgers hasn't lost a game at Hampden and has only lost one of the 42 domestic cup ties he has presided over across his two spells at Parkhead.
Whatever way you slice it up, if the Scottish Cup has red and white ribbons wrapped round it on Saturday evening, it will have been as the result of one of the biggest shocks in the history of the showpiece.
Glen Schreuder
Fan writer
Our league season has ended with a whimper. And fans are clearly frustrated as four straight defeats is not exactly the form you want going into a Scottish Cup final.
Sadly the build-up to the final will be overshadowed by the scenes at full-time at Tannadice last Saturday where an object thrown from the away end injured Jack MacKenzie.
I am sure the individual responsible will be punished for their actions which tarnish the Aberdeen that has consistently followed their team in numbers.
On the pitch a bright first 40 minutes rekindled the Aberdeen of old, with fast ing, line breaks and creating chances. Where has that been in recent weeks?
Sadly, familiar failures reared their ugly head. Once again we conceded goals in quick succession - that's three games now we have shipped two in 10 minutes.
There was also a lack of character and confidence, which seriously needs to be addressed over the summer. So does our ability to defend corners.
Lots of work to be done this summer, however for now the focus turns to Hampden. We travel in hope rather than expectation, but we have to cling to the belief we can pull off a minor miracle this Saturday. Maybe it's written in the stars?
Glen Schreuder can be found at Red Tinted Glasses, external
Sportscene analysis: 'Aberdeen's season hinges on Scottish Cup final'
Watch the Sportscene discuss Aberdeen's season and the importance of next weekend's Scottish Cup final.
Sportscene team react to Aberdeen's Jack MacKenzie being hit by seat
Watch the Sportscene discuss the incident involving an object hitting Aberdeen's Jack MacKenzie during a full-time pitch invasion at Tannadice.
Watch all the action as Dundee United secured a European spot with a 2-1 win over Aberdeen in their final Scottish Premiership game.
We asked for your views on Aberdeen's 2-1 defeat against Dundee United.
Here's what some of you said:
Angus: All season we have struggled in the air, I'm surprised we've not been made to to pay more for it than we have. That has to be one of the top priorities for next season.
Andy: Yet another shocker to add to the long list of shockers this season. This game kind of summed up Aberdeen's season. Started great, got found out and then fell apart at the seams. In the end, United's work rate and desire were superior to Aberdeen's. This is what wins games. Jimmy Thelin still doesn't know what his best side is or even if he's got one.
Lindsey: After such a bright start, we crumbled. United wanted it more and deserved the win. Seems we can't maintain any momentum and fail to capitalise on any attacking moves into the box. Bearing in mind we are desperate for a goal, it's somewhat perplexing to see Peter Ambrose come on.
Will: What a shambles, manager and team showed great promise at start of the season but both flattered to deceive. Is the manager the right person for the post? Let's give it until next season. If Dons do not finish third or above, he needs to go. Some may say Dons got lucky in the opening 15 games this time round how could they then finish fifth?
Fred: Another poor performance. We have no versatility, no defence, no attack and a very weak midfield. Our current form is disgraceful and our recent gs by the manager have not strengthened the team. I would not trust him to spend the transfer budget wisely.
Euan: Another absolute embarrassment dished up by this group of players and manager. How long will this go on for? Imagine dreading a Scottish Cup final, that's where we are though.
Image source, SNSDundee United have won 14 points from losing positions in the Premiership this season, only Rangers (16) have recovered more.
Aberdeen have lost an away game after leading at half time in the Premiership for the first time since 2nd March 2024 against St Mirren (seven games without defeat).
Sam Dalby has scored 15 goals in the Premiership this season (one in this game), more than any other Dundee United player.
Aberdeen have lost their last four games in the Premiership, their last longer losing streak was from 21 December 2024 to 5 January 2025, a run of five games.
Brian Irvine, who scored Aberdeen's winning penalty in their 1990 Scottish Cup final over Celtic, will turn 60 on Saturday when the sides meet again in this season's final - and is unsure whether he will attend the game or watch at home. (Record), external
Irvine reveals he was "never confident" with penalties prior to his famous spot-kick. (Herald - subscription required), external
Image source, Getty ImagesWe already know Celtic will be in the Champions League play-off round.
And that Rangers will start in the second qualifying stage.
Hibernian, Dundee United and Aberdeen will all be in Europe, too, but the outcome of Saturday's Scottish Cup final will decide who enters which competition and when.
If Celtic win the Scottish Cup...
Hibs will be in the Europa League play-off round. Win that, and they will be in the competition proper. Lose, and it will be the Conference League until Christmas.
Either way, good games and good money.
United will enter the Europa League at the second qualifying round, with the second chance of Conference League preliminaries.
And Aberdeen will enter the Conference League at the second qualifying round.
If Aberdeen win the Scottish Cup...
They will be the ones who will be guaranteed continental combat until December.
Hibs would go into the Europa second qualifying round, with the safety net of a second shot in the Conference preliminaries. But no assured league stage football.
And Dundee United would enter the Conference League second qualifying round.
Dundee United produced a superb comeback to defeat Aberdeen and leapfrog them into fourth place in the Scottish Premiership and clinch European football after a dream first season back in the top flight.
What did you make of Aberdeen's performance? Is fifth place an acceptable finish in Jimmy Thelin's first season?
