The page in history Rangers can look to as Alex McLeish draws Aberdeen comparison

Alex McLeish is convinced Aberdeen ’s glory days under Alex Ferguson were kickstarted by an extra-time rout of Rangers in the 1982 Scottish Cup Final.

Almost 40 years to the day, on that same Hampden turf, the Pittodrie legend – who went on to manage Rangers to the Treble – witnessed a result and performance he believes may have the same effect on the Ibrox club.

McLeish was at the National Stadium to watch Giovanni van Bronckhorst ’s side deliver the first trophy of the Dutchman’s reign, beating Hearts 2-0 in extra-time.

His mind raced back four decades to the day his great curling effort for the Dons cancelled out an early John MacDonald goal for Rangers.

The match ended 1-1 after 90 minutes but Aberdeen found an extra gear in the additional half hour, scoring three times to take the trophy to the Granite City with Neale Cooper banging in the fourth.

The Dons had won the title in 1980 but that Hampden victory was the launchpad for unparalleled success.

Now McLeish believes Rangers’ win last weekend could be just as significant.

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He said: “I remember in 1982 at Aberdeen we came to Hampden and beat Rangers 4-1 after extra-time.

“It felt that the game got us over a hurdle of being able to