HANS GILLHAUS is returning to Aberdeen and will finally get the chance to take his Scottish Cup bow on Union Street some 35 years on.
The Dutch star admitted one of he biggest regrets of his Pittodrie stay was missing their 1990 Cup-winning bus parade. The former striker helped the Dons to a dramatic penalty shoot-out win over Celtic but missed the celebrations in the Granite City because he had to fly out to join Holland's World Cup squad.
Gillhaus is coming back to Aberdeen for a special '1990: The Legends Return' event at the Music Hall in May to join some of his former team-mates as they mark the anniversary of the club's last Scottish Cup win.
The Dons legend, who was inducted into the club's Hall of Fame in January, said: “The thing I truly regret missing was the bus parade in Aberdeen.
[https://magtag.magzter.com/n_api/magtag/2032740/extractedimages/48/1347411162.jpg?timestamp=1742629042870]
“I heard that was fantastic but I wasn't there. Unfortunately, I had to go in the evening to the airport because the next day I had World Cup preparations with the national team for our trip to Italy.
“I had to fly after the game and the bus parade was scheduled for the Monday.
“I would have loved to have been part of the Scottish Cup parade and being able to celebrate with the fans, but my international commitments denied me that opportunity I have seen all the videos and pictures and heard all the stories.”
Gillhaus missed the civic reception and parade as Alex Smith and Jocky Scott's double cup-winning side was honoured.
He had to settle for an evening with Rod Stewart - although the singer wasn't in the best of moods because Aberdeen had just beaten his beloved Celtic. Some guys have all the luck!
Gillhaus said: “The funny thing was in the same hotel I ran into and had a chat with Rod Stewart. He was staying because we were both flying the next day.
"Rod told me he wasn't happy because he had been at the game supporting Celtic. At least I had something to celebrate!"
Gillhaus played a key part in the Cup run, scoring against Morton and in the 4-0 semi demolition of Dundee United.
Aberdeen went into the final as big favourites but struggled and couldn't score and the contest went to penalties.
Dariusz Wdowcyzk and Brian Grant missed for either side and when Anton Rogan failed to score that allowed Brian Irvine to win the cup for Aberdeen.
"The good thing was the penalties were at the Aberdeen end and everything was a sea of red and white," Gillhaus said.
"I was just relieved to have scored my penalty as Pat Bonner had saved an effort from me in the previous game. I went the other way and it went in. Celtic missed their second penalty and big Brian Irvine scored his to win the Cup.
"It was just an amazing feeling when I saw the ball go in. I had won things in Holland but to win a trophy so early in my Aberdeen career was massive." It was the perfect way for Gillhaus to open up his Aberdeen career.
He had stunned Dutch football by making the move from champions, PSV. He had helped them to back-to-back Eredivisie and League Cup doubles. He had also been part of the team wh...
The Dutch star admitted one of he biggest regrets of his Pittodrie stay was missing their 1990 Cup-winning bus parade. The former striker helped the Dons to a dramatic penalty shoot-out win over Celtic but missed the celebrations in the Granite City because he had to fly out to join Holland's World Cup squad.
Gillhaus is coming back to Aberdeen for a special '1990: The Legends Return' event at the Music Hall in May to join some of his former team-mates as they mark the anniversary of the club's last Scottish Cup win.
The Dons legend, who was inducted into the club's Hall of Fame in January, said: “The thing I truly regret missing was the bus parade in Aberdeen.
[https://magtag.magzter.com/n_api/magtag/2032740/extractedimages/48/1347411162.jpg?timestamp=1742629042870]
“I heard that was fantastic but I wasn't there. Unfortunately, I had to go in the evening to the airport because the next day I had World Cup preparations with the national team for our trip to Italy.
“I had to fly after the game and the bus parade was scheduled for the Monday.
“I would have loved to have been part of the Scottish Cup parade and being able to celebrate with the fans, but my international commitments denied me that opportunity I have seen all the videos and pictures and heard all the stories.”
Gillhaus missed the civic reception and parade as Alex Smith and Jocky Scott's double cup-winning side was honoured.
He had to settle for an evening with Rod Stewart - although the singer wasn't in the best of moods because Aberdeen had just beaten his beloved Celtic. Some guys have all the luck!
Gillhaus said: “The funny thing was in the same hotel I ran into and had a chat with Rod Stewart. He was staying because we were both flying the next day.
"Rod told me he wasn't happy because he had been at the game supporting Celtic. At least I had something to celebrate!"
Gillhaus played a key part in the Cup run, scoring against Morton and in the 4-0 semi demolition of Dundee United.
Aberdeen went into the final as big favourites but struggled and couldn't score and the contest went to penalties.
Dariusz Wdowcyzk and Brian Grant missed for either side and when Anton Rogan failed to score that allowed Brian Irvine to win the cup for Aberdeen.
"The good thing was the penalties were at the Aberdeen end and everything was a sea of red and white," Gillhaus said.
"I was just relieved to have scored my penalty as Pat Bonner had saved an effort from me in the previous game. I went the other way and it went in. Celtic missed their second penalty and big Brian Irvine scored his to win the Cup.
"It was just an amazing feeling when I saw the ball go in. I had won things in Holland but to win a trophy so early in my Aberdeen career was massive." It was the perfect way for Gillhaus to open up his Aberdeen career.
He had stunned Dutch football by making the move from champions, PSV. He had helped them to back-to-back Eredivisie and League Cup doubles. He had also been part of the team wh...
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Daily Record (Digital) - 1 Issue, March 22, 2025