1979 Scottish League Cup Final (December)
# 1979 Scottish League Cup Final (December)

The 1979–80 Scottish League Cup Final was played on 8 December 1979 and replayed on 12 December 1979. It was the final of the 34th Scottish League Cup competition, and it was a New Firm derby contested by Dundee United and Aberdeen. The first match ended in a goalless draw, but Dundee United won the replay 3–0 thanks to goals by Willie Pettigrew (2) and Paul Sturrock.

United's victory earned them a place in the 1980–81 UEFA Cup competition.

## Match details

DUNDEE UNITED: :

| GK | 1 | Hamish McAlpine |
| - | - | - |
| DF | 2 | Derek Stark |
| DF | 3 | Frank Kopel |
| MF | 4 | Iain Phillip |
| DF | 5 | Paul Hegarty |
| DF | 6 | David Narey |
| MF | 7 | Eamonn Bannon |
| FW | 8 | Paul Sturrock |
| FW | 9 | Willie Pettigrew |
| MF | 10 | John Holt |
| MF | 11 | Graeme Payne |
| Substitutes: ||||
| MF | ? | George Fleming |
| MF | ? | Steve Murray |
| Manager: ||||
| Jim McLean ||||

ABERDEEN: :

| GK | 1 | Bobby Clark |
| - | - | - |
| DF | 2 | Stuart Kennedy |
| DF | 3 | Doug Rougvie |
| DF | 4 | Alex McLeish |
| DF | 5 | Willie Garner |
| DF | 6 | Willie Miller |
| MF | 7 | Gordon Strachan |
| FW | 8 | Steve Archibald |
| FW | 9 | Mark McGhee |
| MF | 10 | John McMaster |
| MF | 11 | Ian Scanlon |
| Substitutes: ||||
| DF | ? | Derek Hamilton |
| FW | ? | Drew Jarvie |
| Manager: ||||
| Alex Ferguson ||||

Dundee United were delayed arriving at Hampden due to heavy traffic and flooding, and reached the stadium just 30 minutes before kick-off. Although both teams created chances, it was the two sides' defences that dominated the match. United's manager Jim McLean felt his side had not played at their best, but that Aberdeen had, and that gave him confidence for the replay.

### Replay

DUNDEE UNITED: :

| GK | 1 | Hamish McAlpine |
| - | - | - |
| DF | 2 | Derek Stark |
| DF | 3 | Frank Kopel |
| MF | 4 | George Fleming |
| DF | 5 | Paul Hegarty |
| DF | 6 | David Narey |
| MF | 7 | Eamonn Bannon |
| FW | 8 | Paul Sturrock |
| FW | 9 | Willie Pettigrew |
| MF | 10 | John Holt |
| MF | 11 | Billy Kirkwood |
| Substitutes: ||||
| ? | ? | Iain Phillip |
| ? | ? | Graeme Payne |
| Manager: ||||
| Jim McLean ||||

ABERDEEN: :

| GK | 1 | Bobby Clark |
| - | - | - |
| DF | 2 | Stuart Kennedy |
| DF | 3 | Doug Rougvie |
| DF | 4 | Alex McLeish |
| DF | 5 | Willie Garner |
| DF | 6 | Willie Miller |
| MF | 7 | Gordon Strachan |
| FW | 8 | Steve Archibald |
| FW | 9 | Mark McGhee |
| MF | 10 | John McMaster |
| MF | 11 | Ian Scanlon |
| Substitutes: ||||
| DF | ? | Derek Hamilton |
| FW | ? | Drew Jarvie |
| Manager: ||||
| Alex Ferguson ||||

The replay in windy conditions at Dens Park saw a larger attendance than the original tie. This time Dundee United dominated the match to win 3-0 and secure their first ever major honour.

