Like heroes of Gothenburg '83 the class of 2025 will be Pittodrie legends forever

McMaster says Dons have recreated glory days

- BY FRASER WILSON

HIS own place in Aberdeen immortality has been secure for over four decades.

But last weekend John McMaster stood with fellow Gothenburg Great Neil Simpson among their people at Hampden as a new group of heroes strode into Pittodrie folklore.

And, according to McMaster, Jimmy Thelin and his players now deserve to join them as Dons legends.

The sight of the iconic duo losing it in the National Stadium said more than words could about the enormity of Aberdeen's Scottish Cup Final victory over Celtic.

McMaster, a key man in the side that beat Real Madrid in the 1983 European Cup Winners' Cup Final and who won three Scottish titles and as many Scottish Cups for the club, says the current side have lifted an entire city.

He just hopes their efforts aren't wasted.

The dust may be settling after a week of partying that followed the dramatic penalty shoot-out victory.

But the 70-year-old, who spent 15 years - most of those under Sir Alex Ferguson's watch - at Pittodrie, hopes there will be no resting on laurels.

He knows the glory days of the 1980s are locked away in the history books.

But he still feels there's an opportunity for growth.

McMaster said: "It's just remarkable the way the past week or so has turned out.

"A whole city's been lifted from doom and gloom. Union Street was chock-a-block for the first time in years for the bus parade and this team did that.

"It was one of the best days I can ever remember being on the other side, as a fan.

"For my sons as well. It's been 35 years since we won that trophy.