Neil Simpson Testimonial Preview

Neil Simpson:

‘The supporters have always been fantastic to me and have helped me through my whole career. They campaign so much the club decided to give me this great day on Tuesday. For Sir Alex to be coming up with the Manchester United team is a dream come true.

‘I am trying to imagine what it will be like walking on the pitch on Tuesday night. I think I’ll feel very proud to have been able to wear the Aberdeen shirt and gave my all for all these years. I’ll feel honoured, proud and grateful to the supporters and the club for treating me well.’

Craig Brown:

‘When I mentioned the prospects of coming to Aberdeen some months ago to Sir Alex was spontaneous in his positive reply. Without hesitation he said he would do his best to bring a strong Manchester United team to Pittodrie at a mutually convenient date. As always, Alex is true to his word and we welcome the world’s most famous football manager and his players here on Tuesday night.

‘Manchester have promised to bring their big name players and I would expect to see Rio Ferdinand, Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs, along with some of the golden oldies like Clayton Blackmore, Dwight Yorke, Quintin Fortune.’

Russell Anderson:

‘The word legend is often over used, but Neil truly is a real legend at this football club. Despite that, he is such an unassuming guy. He would never have gone looking for a benefit game because he is just not that kind of person. He is also such a friendly guy, he always has time for everyone and always stops in the corridor to speak to you.

‘He definitely deserves this night and he deserves the nature of the opposition that are coming here on Tuesday evening. It is a testament to what Sir Alex Ferguson thinks of him that he is bringing a team up with the start of the Premier League season just a few days away.’

Aberdeen have confirmed that former Dons favourites Doug Rougvie, Dougie Bell, Brian Grant and Steve Tosh will all play for some duration of the game. Neil Simpson will start the game before being replaced.

A long awaited and overdue event for one of Aberdeen’s greatest ever players. Simpson won a trophy on average every 27 games he appeared for Aberdeen, including the European Cup Winners Cup. A firm fans’ favourite and still involved with the Dons youth academy to this day, a testimonial against the world’s most famous football club is thoroughly deserved.

Sir Alex Ferguson has said he will bring his strongest possible squad he is able to for the game, with the club’s Premier League campaign kicking off only a matter of days later. Some old fans favourites are rumoured to make an appearance including the likes of Dwight Yorke.

The player to watch this week must be determined in relation to see how Aberdeen fare. A solid performance will give the as yet undetermined final back 4 a confidence boost ahead of a number of tricky league fixtures.

The last time these sides met was in 2008. The only players in the squad that day that remain at Aberdeen are goalkeeper Jamie Langfield and defender Andrew Considine, neither of whom featured in the game. Bertrand Bossu was favoured for the number 1 spot and Considine couldn’t get a game for Zander Diamond, a truly bizarre concept in hindsight.