McNamara Hopes To End Hampden Wait

Feb 3 2008 Mark Guidi

Jackie Out To End Hoodoo Aberdeen V Dundee Utd Cis Cup Semi-Final Tuesday, Kick-Off 7.45

JACKIE McNAMARA can't believe it's eight years since Aberdeen appeared in a cup final - and reckons it's time to put that wretched record right on Tuesday night.

The Dons travel to Tynecastle to take on Dundee United knowing victory will propel them back into the big time with a CIS Cup Final showdown against Rangers.

The last time Aberdeen went all the way in this tournament was in 2000 when McNamara played in the Celtic team that defeated Ebbe Skovdahl's men 2-0.

The Pittodrie club also reached the Scottish Cup Final that term but lost 4-0 to Rangers.

When McNamara was a schoolboy Aberdeen were dominant in Scottish football under Alex Ferguson.

And while he knows those glory days are unlikely to ever return he sees no reason why they can't lift this trophy.

The former Wolves and Scotland defender said: "The last time Aberdeen won a cup was 12 years ago. It has just been too long.

"Since then a few clubs outside of the Old Firm have lifted silverware.

"Livingston, Hibs and Kilmarnock got a huge lift from winning a cup and it would give Aberdeen and our supporters a massive boost."

McNamara has won this competition twice and was denied a hat - trick of triumphs when he was suspended for Celtic's 2001 final win over Kilmarnock.

The 34-year-old would love to make up for that this season and said: "I won the League Cup in 1997 and 2000.

"I should have had another but was suspended the first time Martin O'Neill won it with Celtic. The only club I've ever achieved trophy success with is Celtic so it would be great to do it at Aberdeen.

"I'm getting to the stage of my career where I won't have too many finals left."

Rangers lie in wait in the final and McNamara has no fears about tackling Walter Smith's on-form side.

In fact, he reckons the Dons can thrive as underdogs. Jackie said: "Rangers are having a great season.

"They will be favourites in the final but in a one-off game anything can happen.

"Cup football is all about shocks and we'd go into a final with nothing to fear. The pressure would be on them."

McNamara also has a UEFA Cup clash against Bayern Munich to look forward to.

And he feels the club getting manager Jimmy Calderwood plus his backroom staff Jimmy Nicholl and Sandy Clark tied up on new deals will help maintain their excellent progress.

Jackie said: "Aberdeen are a big club and should have important games at this stage of the season.

"After finishing third in the SPL we've kicked on to do so well in the UEFA Cup and League Cup.

"It was good the club agreed a deal with the gaffer. It is only right his contribution has been recognised."