Dons want to jump on year of the underdog

JIMMY THELIN would love to add Aberdeen's name to Europe's growing list of shock cup winners.

- By Scott Burns

This has been the year of the underdog.

In England, Crystal Palace stunned Manchester City to lift the FA Cup for the first time in their history, while Newcastle lifted their first trophy in 70 years when they defeated league champs Liverpool to claim the Carabao Cup.

Dutch upstarts Go Ahead Eagles took care of favourites AZ Alkmaar on penalties in the KNVB Cup final.

And ex-Aberdeen star Lewis Ferguson made headlines as he captained Bologna to Coppa Italia glory for the first time in 51 years after seeing off mighty Inter.

Dons manager Thelin, above, is now hoping his side can continue that continental trend by stopping treble-chasing Celtic in their tracks at Hampden on Saturday to lift the Scottish Cup for the first time in 35 years.

The Swede said: "It's not every year you are in the Scottish Cup final, I think the last one was eight years ago.

"It's an achievement to arrive in the final but once you are there the winner takes it all.

"We have a shared strong belief we can do it and that is the mindset you need to have.