Dundee United have reached their second national final in less than a year after beating Aberdeen in the League Cup semi-final at Hampden.
The Tangerines will return to the national stadium on March 15 to play either Rangers or Celtic thanks to goals from Callum Morris and Nadir Ciftci, with the Dons opening the scoring through Donervorn Daniels.
It was a great performance from United, who were put under the cosh at times by the Pittodrie men.
Now they have a golden chance to banish memories of their Scottish Cup final loss to St Johnstone last May by lifting the country’s other big cup.
United came out of the tunnel wearing their black and white change strip despite being drawn as the “home” side.
There was an encouraging sign early on for the Tannadice men when striker Ciftci went on a great run inside the box but, sadly, his shot was blocked.
On four minutes, the Turk played a quick freekick and released Gary Mackay-Steven on the left side of the box but the Celtic-bound winger could only shoot high and wide.
The Dons were winning a few corners but the Tangerines were coping as the game reached the quarter-of-an-hour mark.
United were playing well and on 17 minutes they almost took the lead.For full match coverage and reaction from Hampden, see Monday’s CourierStuart Armstrong took a pass just outside the box, looked up and then sent in a shot that was deflected on to the Aberdeen bar and away for a corner.
Armstrong had yet another shot blocked before mayhem inside the United box almost ended with the Dons ahead. As the ball spun around, it finally landed at the feet of David Goodwillie, who looked a likely scorer until his strike was blocked.
The second half was under four minutes old when Aberdeen took the lead.
It was a long throw-in from Andrew Considine that caused confusion in the United defence and keeper Rado Cierzniak didn’t cover himself in glory as Daniels’ header looped into the net.
Cierzniak looked shaky again as another cross came over but thankfully the ball stayed out of the net but the Tangerines were definitely on the ropes.
Manager Jackie McNamara made a change on 58 minutes when he brought on Ryan Dow for Charlie Telfer, who had struggled to impose himself despite terrific recent form.
Dow’s introduction had an immediate impact on the match as a neat piece of skill earned a corner out on the right. Mackay-Steven took it and the ball flew to the back post and Morris was there to head home to make it 1-1.
Adam Rooney had the ball in the net but the headed “goal” was chalked off for a foul on 64 minutes.
Ciftci was booked before Cierzniak rode to the rescue with an outstanding stop to keep out a Ryan Jack shot on 71 minutes.
Dow was proving to be a great substitute for United and when he raced on to the ball and clipped it past the advancing Dons goalie Scott Brown it looked like 2-1. However, the ball was booted off the line before, up at the other end, Goodwillie’s header flew down and the up and over Cierzniak’s bar
On 81 minutes, Dow was sent clear by a Mackay-Steven slide-rule pass but he was flagged offside. It was another tight decision against the Tangerines.
Just three minutes later, though, United took the lead when Ciftci got on the end of a cross from Paul Paton. The Turk stretched his neck as the Dons defence stood static perhaps looking for another flag and flicked the ball just beyond the outstretched arm of Brown.
The Tannadice faithful behind went wild in celebration and all their team had to do now was see out the closing minutes.
They did that reasonably comfortable and now it’s bring on one of the Old Firm.
Attendance: 29,608.
Dundee United: Cierzniak, Dillon, Fojut, Paton, Ciftci (Anier 89), Armstrong, Mackay-Steven, Morris, McGowan, Butcher, Telfer (Dow 58). Subs not used: Szromnik, Townsend, Rankin, Erskine, Connolly.
Aberdeen: Brown, Logan, Considine, Reynolds, Rooney, McGinn, Hayes, Pawlett (Smith 85), Goodwillie, Jack, Daniels. Subs not used: Langfield, Flood, Robson, Robertson, Masson, Wright.
Referee: Steven McLean.