I took one penalty in 21 years... it just happened to be one to win Scottish Cup

Irvine reflects on glory day but says it's time for new Dons hero

- FRASER WILSON

IF you're only going to hit one penalty in a 21-year professional career then it might as well be one to win the Scottish Cup.

Brian Irvine isn't wrong.

The big defender became the most unlikely of spot-kick heroes for Aberdeen in 1990 when his penalty - the 20th of a mentally exhausting shoot-out flew past Celtic keeper Pat Bonner to seal the Dons' seventh triumph in the competition.

Incredibly, 35 years later, he is still the last player to net a winner for the Pittodrie club in the cup they won five times between 1982 and 1990.

Irvine will turn 60 next Saturday, the same day the Dons will again look to dump the Hoops in the Hampden showpiece.

No matter what he has in store for his big birthday it's unlikely to match the party he sparked with the most famous strike of his life.

A shindig that journeyed from Mount Florida to Union Street - via Fife where a school-aged Edith Bowman took centre stage in the celebrations. Yes, that Edith Bowman.

Maybe it's written in the stars that Irvine should mark his 60th with a dose of history repeating itself.

Not for one minute is he writing off Jimmy Thelin's side as they look to emulate the class of '90, despite the odds stacked heavily against them.

Fate certainly was on his side on that roasting hot afternoon on May 12, 1990.

Irvine has no shame admitting he was the last outfielder left to step up for Alex Smith's side for a reason.