It’s not often you find Rangers fans roaring on Aberdeen but as they faced Celtic in the Scottish Cup Final, bluenoses suddenly turned red.
Whilst the sentiment between Rangers and the Dons isn’t exactly friendly, the Gers’ Old Firm rivalry with Celtic runs substantially deeper.
With Celtic closing in on a sixth treble in nine seasons, Rangers fans tuned into the Hampden showpiece hoping for Aberdeen to halt the Parkhead side in their tracks.
The Dons eventually hauled the match to penalty kicks and survived the shoot-out to send Aberdeen, and the blue side of Glasgow, delirious.
But speaking after the Scottish Cup Final, Aberdeen captain Graeme Shinnie revealed that some words of encouragement from one former Rangers striker helped inspire the victory.
Sir Alex Ferguson helps inspire Aberdeen victory over Celtic
Former Rangers striker Sir Alex Ferguson is certainly more famous for his time in charge of Aberdeen and Manchester United.
But playing at Ibrox was the pinnacle of the great man’s playing career, although Ferguson’s time at Rangers was tinged with sadness.
Moving into management, Ferguson was central to the Rangers-Aberdeen rivalry developing with the legendary manager guiding the Dons through the most successful period in their history during the early 80s.
But heading into the Scottish Cup Final at Hampden, it was Celtic in his sights, as Graeme Shinnie revealed a special message from Sir Alex spurned the Dons on in Glasgow.
“(Sir Alex) sent a message in the pre-match in the hotel this morning,” Shinnie told Sky Sports after the match.
”Which is something that we all savour, he’s a very special person in this club and that drove us on as well.”
End of the Celtic treble era as Rangers look to the future?
Whilst Rangers fans will reckon their team should’ve been playing in the Scottish Cup Final at Hampden, Celtic’s defeat will be welcomed at Ibrox.
In a season where Celtic officially overtook Rangers in terms of major trophies, the Parkhead side now on 120 with Rangers on 118, the gap between the two threatened to get wider in Glasgow’s southside.
But up stepped Aberdeen, who overcame an ordinary Celtic team to defeat Brendan Rodgers for the first time in the Scottish Cup and for the first time at Hampden.
With Celtic going through a period of unprecedented dominance, it’s the Dons who’ve broken the Parkhead side’s treble momentum but it’s Rangers who are looking to the future.
Rangers are on the verge of a US buyout which promises ‘substantial’ investment, there is a new manager set to be appointed in Govan and optimism is once again flowing through the corridors at Ibrox.
Another Celtic treble threatened to heap the pressure on at Rangers and consolidate power in the hands of our Old Firm rivals.
Now, they’ve got an entire summer to stew over Aberdeen’s penalty shoot-out win whilst casting nervous glances across the city.
