Preview Aberdeen

The return of the two Jimmies - Calderwood and Nicholl - to East End Park with their Aberdeen team adds extra spice to Saturday`s Homecoming Scottish Cup Quarter Final tie.

Ticket Info
The return of the two Jimmies - Calderwood and Nicholl - to East End Park with their Aberdeen team adds extra spice to Saturday`s Homecoming Scottish Cup Quarter Final tie.  They left East End Park in 2004 after taking the Pars to the Scottish Cup Final, qualifying for Europe and finishing fourth in the Premierleague behind Celtic, Rangers and Hearts.  Dunfermline amassed 53 points that season, 19 better than Aberdeen who finished in eleventh place, safely eight ahead of Partick Thistle who were relegated.  In season 2004-05 the places were the other way around. Unfortunately the manner of the two Jimmies departure left an unsavoury taste for Pars supporters that is unlikely to make Saturday their `homecoming`.

Aberdeen will be keen to reach their first Scottish Cup Final since season 1999-2000.  They were prevented a Cup Final appearance last season when First Division Queen of the South came out top in a seven goal thriller. In the seasons prior to that the Dons were knocked out by Hibs, Hearts, Dundee United, Livingston, Dundee and Celtic. Omitting last season`s Semi Final disappointment, it is eight seasons since they were knocked out by a lower league team - Livingston.

Last season Dunfermline were knocked out by Partick Thistle but in 2004 and 2007 they reached the Scottish Cup Final where they met Celtic on both occasions.

This is the eighth time that Dunfermline and Aberdeen have been drawn together in the Scottish Cup but the first since 1988.  Aberdeen have progressed five times, Dunfermline just twice.  Dunfermline haven`t come out on top since 1968, a 2-1 victory courtesy of goals from Hugh Robertson and Alex Edwards. Their other time they knocked out the Dons was 6-3 at Pittodrie in 1961 en route to the Scottish Cup success. Two ties have required replays and both times Aberdeen went on to win.

Aberdeen have reached the Quarter Final after winning 2-1 at Alloa and demolishing East Fife 5-0 in the last 16.  Dunfermline have progressed by disposing of Clyde at East End Park and Airdrie United away.

The Dons have drawn their last three matches.  They have failed to win in their last three away matches at St Mirren, Hearts and Falkirk, their last away win was at Kilmarnock on 13th January.

Out of the last twelve matches against Aberdeen, Dunfermline have won two, drawn two and lost eight. The last time Aberdeen and Dunfermline met was on 10th February at Pittodrie in the SPL. Only Greg Ross, Stephen Glass and Scott Wilson survive from the side that lost 3-0 to goals from Lovell, Nicholson and Mackie.

Last Time Out

DUNFERMLINE (v Morton) : Paul Gallacher, Scott Thomson (Jamie Mole 58), Greg Shields, Scott Wilson (c), Austin McCann; Steven Bell, Graeme Holmes (Rory Loy 38), Stephen Glass (Calum Woods 68), Nick Phinn; Andy Kirk, Graham Bayne.
SUBS NOT USED: Alex Burke, Callum Reidford.

ABERDEEN (v St Mirren): Jamie Langfield; Javan Vidal (Stuart Duff 58), Zander Diamond, Lee Mair, Charlie Mulgrew, Sone Aluko, Scott Severin, Mark Kerr, Chris Maguire, Darren Mackie (Jamie Smith 73), Lee Miller (Tommy Wright 39)
SUBS NOT USED: Bertrand Bossu, Andrew Considine, Sam Stewart, Derek Young

Referee for this match will be Craig Thomson.

Let`s wipe that smile off JC`s face!