DON TOP OF THE WORLD

Tsanko still cherishes role in Bulgaria's historic. '94 run | He'd love more Dons glory as compatriot Dimi delivers.

- ANTHONY EVANS

MENTION of the 1994 World Cup tends to conjure up memories of Cameroon's Roger Milla setting the record for the oldest scorer at the finals at 42.

Or of Italy legend Roberto Baggio rooted to the spot after skying his shootout effort to hand Brazil the trophy.

But those four weeks in the sweltering US heat also saw two Balkan stars who would go on to play for Aberdeen feature in one of the most memorable runs in finals history.

Tsanko Tsvetanov and Ilian Kiriakov were key cogs in the Bulgaria team who made it all the way to semifinals.

Led by the legendary Hristo Stoichkov, they bounced back from defeat to Nigeria to thump Greece 4-0 before sealing their last-16 place by beating 1986 world champions Argentina 2-0.

Tsvetanov saw red and, 31 years on to the day they embarked on the round of 16, told Record Sport: "That was the first and last red card of my career. It was for two yellows. For us, it was win or die, we had to win to continue. When I got the red card, I started to worry because it was 1-0. I didn't want to be guilty for my country going out.

"But it finished in a good way."

Diego Maradona had been sent home ahead of the game after failing a drugs test for ephedrine.