Craig Brewster became an instant hero to Dundee United supporters in May 1994, when he scored the winning goal in the shock 1-0 win against Rangers in the Scottish Cup at Hampden.
It was Dundee United’s 7th Scottish Cup final, but the first and only time the silverware returned to Tannadice.
Christian Dailly (the unsung hero) put pressure on the Rangers defence and managed to get a shot on goal, only to see it rebounded off the post.
Luckily, Brewster found himself in the right place – at the right time – to blast the rebound into the back of the net and give Ivan Golac’s side a 47th minute lead, which they held until the final whistle.
Since that glorious afternoon, Brewster has made the transition into management and had a successful spell as player-manager with Inverness Caley Thistle, but it was followed by a disastrous 28 game run as boss of Dundee United.
During his time incharge, Brewster managed just 2 SPL wins and was sacked a few months into the 2006/07 season, to be replaced by Craig Levein.
However, the 40-year-old has now made his returned to Scottish Football as a player for Aberdeen until the end of the season and has already scored a sensational Scottish Cup goal to keep Jimmy Calderwood’s side in the competition.
Trailing 1-0 to Hibernian, Brewster came on in the 2nd half and went on to score one and set one up, giving Aberdeen a last gasp equaliser which takes the game to a replay.
Hibernian took a first-half lead through Ivan Sproule, after Don’s keeper Jamie Langfield fumbled a Steven Whittaker shot.
Brewster levelled the scoring just 12 minutes after coming on as a substitute for Andrew Considine at the start of the half, heading a Darren Mackie cross into the top-corner of keeper Andrew McNeil’s goal.
Chris Killen restored Hibernian’s lead in the 73rd minute, chesting down a Michael Stewart through ball and volleying in past the helpless Langfield, but veteran Craig Brewster was determined that his new side wouldn’t slump out of the Scottish Cup in their first round.
With just seconds remaining, Brewster set-up Barry Nicholson after an intelligent knock down and Nicholson blasted in the goal which takes the match to a replay next week.
Brewster’s contribution to the match wasn’t just scoring and setting up Nicholson’s late equaliser, but he spurred the whole Aberdeen side on and proved that even at 40-years old, he still has something to give to Scottish Football.
However, as great as his goal was against Hibernian, it’ll never compare to “that” goal scored in the 1994 Scottish Cup final.
A few years ago, I was fortunate enough to interview the man himself about his memories from the great day and his time at Dundee United.
“That day was fantastic. When you look at the Rangers team they had, it was a good side, but I was lucky enough to put the ball in the back of the net,” said Brewster.
“I was on 19 goals that season and I’ll never forget ‘that’ goal, but my best one that season was in the Arbroath game.”
“I still remember I ran from the half way line, played a one-two with Scott Crabbe inside our half, and lashed it with the right peg and it went in.”
Dundee United beat the Gayfield Park side in the 3rd round of the competition by a 3-2 score line, before going on to beat Motherwell, Airdrie and Aberdeen on their way to meeting Rangers in the Final.
Walter Smith’s side were hoping to secure a world record of 2 consecutive treble winning seasons and had already won the League Cup and Scottish Premier League title already that season.
Dundee United were the only thing that stood between them and their record, but it was the Tannadice side that went home celebrating on the 21st May 1994.
The Dundee born striker might not be remember for his managerial spell at Tannadice, but the Dundee United supporters will also regard him as a legend and a hero for his part in that 1-0 win over Rangers.
“It’s nice to be in that category,” he said.
Although, Brewster will now be hoping that his new Aberdeen side will be doing the same in May 2007, but the replay is the first obstacle they face on their own road to Hampden.
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Aaaaaah, the memories…. 🙂
I have bad memories of that day.
Same memories I have of the Motherwell Cup Final in 1991 perhaps 😉
Bad news for Brewster today, He dislocated his shoulder and will be out for a few months – missing the Scottish Cup replay against Hibs
good, he cant score against dundee united in the final then!