Gueye pride for ex-Dons talent spotter Mowbray

FORMER Aberdeen head of recruitment Darren Mowbray has expressed his pride at watching several of the gems he brought to the club shining bright on the big stage at Hampden.

- By Scott Burns

Mowbray attended last weekend's Scottish Cup semi, with the Dons defeating Hearts 2-1 after extra time to book their place in next month's final.

Mowbray, who is poised to depart the recruitment role he has held at Southampton since leaving Pittodrie in July 2023, was delighted to see some of the talent he unearthed blossom.

Pape Gueye made the Reds’ opening goal as his towering header struck the crossbar and bounced off the back of Jambos keeper Craig Gordon before dropping in the net.

It was Mowbray who brought the Senegalese striker to the attention of Aberdeen two years ago, with then manager Barry Robson looking to add power and pace to his frontline.

The Dons paid around £500,000 to sign him from Belgian side KV Kortrijk.

And Mowbray recalled Gueye knocking Anderlecht and Club Brugge defenders about when he was scouting him.

"He's one we watched for probably all of that season previously," said the 47-year-old Englishman, brother of former Celtic and West Brom manager Tony Mowbray.