Aberdeen will urge the Scottish Football League to hold their League Cup semi-final at Hampden Park regardless of their opponents in the last four.
Willie Miller will travel to Glasgow for the draw tomorrow and the Dons director of football will put forward a strong case to return to the national stadium for the semis in the new year.
The ties have been held in midweek in the past but this season’s encounters will now take place on the weekend of January 29 and 30.
Matches not involving the Old Firm tend to be staged elsewhere, with Easter Road, and Tynecastle likely alternatives, but Miller believes a weekend fixture will see the Red Army mobilise in huge numbers.
Miller said: “I am a traditionalist and I believe the semi-finals should be held at Hampden.
“I can understand the reasons for moving it to another ground, especially if it is in midweek and the Old Firm are not involved.
“It makes sense logistically and it can also help the atmosphere.
“But with the fixtures now taking place at the weekend, I do not know if there will be a ground big enough to accommodate the demand. I understand these are difficult times and it is not easy to entice supporters to matches.
“But the opportunity to go to a semi-final does not happen too often and I would expect a sizeable support.
“There will be a lot of internal discussions to be held once the draw is made but we will be pushing to have the tie held at the national stadium.”
Miller believes the opportunity to perform at Hampden Park would be the ultimate platform for Aberdeen’s exciting batch of youngsters.
Clark Robertson excelled having been thrust in at the deep end against Falkirk just a month after his 17th birthday while 18-year-old Ryan Jack was another star turn in midfield.
Miller said: “The opportunity to play at Hampden is huge for these youngsters.
“I had the pleasure of playing there on numerous occasions and the experience is fantastic in terms of development as a player.
“These are players who are used to playing at the Blairgownie playing fields for the under 19s, so to walk out at the national stadium at such a young age would be invaluable.
“Hopefully they can go back there for the final.
I would say at the weekend we could be taking at least 12,000 fans for this, so I agree.
http://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/Article.aspx/1983251
I would say at the weekend we could be taking at least 12,000 fans for this, so I agree.