Despite how it ended, Derek McInnes’ spell at Aberdeen was a success on the whole.
Second and third place finishes on their own confirm that as he consistently brought success to a club which had been underachieving for years before his arrival.
But these days for any club outside of the Old Firm silverware is dreamland stuff, so for McInnes to deliver a League Cup trophy was the icing on the cake and will be an achievement that goes down in history.
McInnes went on to be sacked by Aberdeen a full seven years later after a form slump, but nothing will ever change what he managed to do with the club.
It would have been a disappointment to end that spell without a trophy, given how strong the Dons were across that period. Consistently the ‘best of the rest’ and even finishing above Rangers one year.
Aberdeen didn’t actually concede a goal during the whole cup run, scraping past Alloa on penalties before dispatching of Falkirk, Motherwell and St Johnstone.
Inverness were the opponent in the final and it was far from a classic, but McInnes’ men got he job done on penalties.
GK – Jamie Langfield
Often ridiculed for some high-profile errors, Langfield still had a strong career and made over 300 appearances for the Dons. Finished up with St Mirren and is now a goalkeeping coach for the Paisley side.
RB – Shay Logan
A fan favourite at Pittodrie, the right-back would go on to have a loan at Hearts when they were in the Championship before signing for Cove Rangers, where he finished his playing career. Set up his own plumbing business for a spell and now working as a rope access bolting and rigging technician.
CB – Russell Anderson
Club legend who made over 440 appearances across two spells at Pittodrie and captained them, including in this final. Finished his career with the Dons after spells with Sunderland, Plymouth, Burnley and Derby. Went on to work for the club as a business development manager but now an Independent Financial Adviser at Aberdein Considine Wealth.
CB – Mark Reynolds
Anderson’s centre half partner moved on to Dundee United and then Cove Rangers and is now playing for Banks O’Dee in the Highland League. Also working as a business development manager for Katoni Engineering.
LB – Andrew Considine
Another Dons hero, the Scotland international hung up his boots last year after a spell with St Johnstone. Yet another business development manager to emerge from this side, working for TESS Aberdeen. Considine also coaches in the Dons academy and has done punditry work for BBC Scotland.
CM – Ryan Jack
Blacklisted himself to the Dons support by moving to Rangers at the end of his contract. Now with Erikspor in the Turkish second tier at the age of 33.
CM – Willo Flood
Tenacious midfielder rejoined Dundee United after his Aberdeen stint and then signed a one-year contract with Dunfermline. Bizarrely, days later it was announced he was signing for Indonesian side Bali United, only for that to fall through due to red tape and he retired instead. Now working as an agent.
RM – Barry Robson
Robson finished his playing career at the club, retiring two years on from this game. Joined the club as a coach before taking over the first team on an interim basis and impressing so much he landed the job full-time. The next season didn’t go so well though and he was sacked. Now in charge at Raith Rovers in the Championship.
LM – Jonny Hayes
Hayes would sign for Celtic before returning for a second spell at Aberdeen. Worked in the academy as a coach with the under-16s before accepting a role back at Celtic with their B team.
CF – Niall McGinn
McGinn is still playing at the age of 37, with Greenock Morton in the Championship on loan from Glentoran. Since leaving Pittodrie he has turned out for Dundee and the NIFL Premiership side.
CF – Adam Rooney
The main goal threat of this side, the predatory finisher found the net 88 times for the Dons. Made a controversial move to Salford City before turning out for Solihull Moors, Stratford Town, Brackley Town and Hereford, where he remains as player-assistant manager in the National League North.
Sub – Nicky Low – Playing for Clydebank in the West of Scotland Premier.
Sub – Scott Vernon – Finished his career with Cleethorpes in 2022.
Sub – Cammy Smith – Still playing with Peterhead in League Two.
Manager – Derek McInnes
Bossing in the Premiership again with Kilmarnock four years on from his Pittodrie sacking. Often linked with other jobs after finishing fourth with Killie last season.