Aberdeen managed to build a bit of momentum in the last four games before the SPL split to pick up ten points which meant they secured the last top-six place. One of their famous ex-players Jim Bett is keen for the side to maintain this form to end the club's trophy drought - and "save their season". Jimmy Calderwood's side meet Queen of the South tomorrow at Hampden in the Scottish Cup semi-final and Bett, who was a member of the last Aberdeen team to win the Scottish Cup, believes another Hampden win could be a catalyst for better times at Pittodrie. That win was back in 1990 and prizes have been a bit thin on the ground in the North East since then. Bett insists the First Division side must not be underestimated, but admits everything points to the Dons booking their ticket to the final on 24 May. Bett said: "They've got a massive incentive. They have got a great opportunity to save their season. I think everyone expects Rangers to also get to the final, so if that's the case Aberdeen would get a straight passage into Europe." If Rangers do make the final, whichever team are their opponents would qualify for the UEFA Cup, as the Ibrox side have already secured a top-two finish and will play in the Champions League. Rangers still have to get past Partick Thistle on Sunday in their quarter-final replay at Firhill before they could consider getting ready for a semi-final.
The Dons have not won a major trophy since beating Dundee in the 1995 League Cup final. Bett said: "If Aberdeen get through, they've got a great chance to give their supporters something back. The Scottish Cup final is a great day for everybody involved. It's the last game of the season so everybody should look forward to it, but before that they've got a tricky tie against Queen of the South. Aberdeen are favourites but Queen of the South have only got 90 minutes between themselves and a final which would be absolutely tremendous for that club, and they've got nothing to lose. It's been a long time since Aberdeen won the Scottish Cup though. They've reached two finals since we won it, but the supporters have been waiting so long to get back to Hampden. Obviously getting there for a semi-final is good, but the priority is getting to the final. The supporters enjoy a good day out in Glasgow but this weekend they'll just be looking forward to the team beating Queen of the South to get to the final. It should be a good end to the season now. They could finish off on a high, then you can look forward to next season with the possibility of European football to come. They've got a hard hurdle to get over because I don't think this game against Queen of the South will be easy, but they should win. They're the favourites of course, but it all depends on how each team reacts on the day."
