Davie Provan as nailed the myth about Aberdeen’s domination of Scottish football under Alex Ferguson.
The Sky Sports expert played throughout that period when Celtic v Aberdeen was the pivotal fixture in the Scottish game.
For those that weren’t around at the time Celtic finished ahead of the Dons five times over eight seasons. When Aberdeen won the 1983 Cup Winners Cup in Gothenburg they finished third in the Premier Division, trailing Dundee United and Celtic.
In The Sun Provan writes:
WHEN it comes to Sir Alex Ferguson, history continues to be rewritten. In particular the myth that his side dominated Scottish football when he was at Aberdeen.
During Fergie’s time at Pittodrie, Celtic won four titles, Aberdeen three and Dundee United one.
In Europe you can only admire the Dons’ terrific Cup Winners’ Cup win over Real Madrid, but three Scottish titles from eight is well short of domination.
Under Ferguson Aberdeen’s clashes with Celtic were often brutal, in December 83 Neale Cooper was booked within 10 seconds of kick off for an attack on Charlie Nicholas. Celtic won the match 2-1.
With Cooper, Neil Simpson, Doug Rougvie, Alex McLeish and Willie Miller through the centre Aberdeen certainly knew how to look after themselves.
In Ferguson’s final full season at Pittodrie Aberdeen finished in fourth place with just 44 points from 36 matches (two points for a win). Celtic won the title on goal difference from Hearts with 50 points.