Aberdeen end trophy drought with League Cup win

Aberdeen’s Russell Anderson holds the trophy aloft following their Scottish League Cup final against Inverness  at Celtic Park Stadium in Glasgow yesterday. (Reuters)AFP/GlasgowAberdeen ended their 19-year trophy drought as they defeated Inverness Caledonian Thistle 4-2 on penalties in the Scottish League Cup final at Celtic Park after the match ended 0-0 after extra-time. Greg Tansey was off-target and Billy McKay had his effort saved by Dons ‘keeper Jamie Langfield before Adam Rooney slotted home the decisive kick to send the 40,000 Aberdeen fans wild. Neither goalkeeper had been really tested in normal time but Aberdeen, who had been favourites before the match, had the best of the chances. Dons skipper Russell Anderson saw his 24th minute effort come off the post before being cleared off the line and Adam Rooney had a first half penalty claim turned down. Inverness, making their first appearance in a national cup final, had defended resolutely throughout but nearly threw it away three minutes from time when Niall McGinn intercepted Tansey’s slack back-pass but the forward blazed his effort over with only the keeper to beat. Neither side could conjure up a winner in extra time and it was the Aberdeen players who held their nerve as they scored all their spot-kicks to seal a famous win. Aberdeen had been dealt a blow in the first minute when Jonny Hayes injured his shoulder in an awkward fall following an aerial challenge with Josh Meekings and had to be replaced by Cammy Smith. The Dons thought they had grabbed the opener in the 24th minute when Anderson’s shot came crashing off the post before being cleared off the line by Richie Foran. The Aberdeeen supporters were on their feet again in the 35th minute when Rooney went down in the box following a challenge by Meekings but referee Steven McLean waved away the protests. Aberdeen ’keeper Langfield had his defence to thank on the hour mark when he dropped David Raven’s high cross after coming out to claim it but the danger was quickly cleared. Dons skipper Anderson then tried to show his side’s forwards what to do as he drove forward from defence to send a dipping half-volley just wide. Dean Brill then spilled Ryan Jack’s 25-yard strike but he managed to clear the danger at the second attempt before Rooney could pounce on the rebound. The ’keeper was then forced to dive to his right to produce a superb stop to keep out a low-rasping drive from Barry Robson. With time running out McGinn blew a golden chance to claim the cup for his side. The Northern Irishman capitalised on a poor pass-back by Tansey to nip in on goal but, with only the keeper to beat, he lifted his shot high over Brill’s bar. Robson, Nicky Low, Scott Vernon and Rooney were then all on target as the Dons won in their first final appearance in 14 years.