Bristol Rovers manager Mark McGhee said he has fond memories of Portman Road from his playing days after his side were beaten 3-1 by the Blues in the Capital One Cup last night. McGhee was a member of Sir Alex Ferguson’s Aberdeen team which knocked then-holders Town out of the UEFA Cup in 1981/82.

The Dons drew 1-1 at Portman Road - Frans Thijssen scoring for Town and then John Hewitt for the visitors - before beating the Blues 3-1 at Pittodrie - Gordon Strachan and two from Peter Weir for Aberdeen and John Wark for Town - in the first round as Sir Bobby Robson’s side sought to defend the trophy they had won against AZ 67 Alkmaar in Amsterdam the previous May.

McGhee said: “I bored the boys to death telling them about it on the way here today. Our goalkeeper, Sam Walker, is a big Ipswich supporter, him and his dad.

“I was able to name the Ipswich team from that night, which he couldn’t do. I wasn’t very impressed with that. The only thing was, I couldn’t name the Aberdeen team!”

The Pirates boss was impressed with 20-year-old Walker, who had only signed on loan from Chelsea earlier in the day: “He was terrific, we’re very pleased to have got him.

“But, to be honest, I have to take full responsibility for the penalty save because I did tell him before the game that Michael Chopra took the penalty at the weekend and put it high to the keeper’s left!”

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ThatMuhrenCross added 11:59 - Aug 15 Another goalie that supports Ipswich?!?!
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TractorBoy666 added 12:21 - Aug 15 What I was laughing at on the Bristol Rovers website, McGhee was talking about how even the first half was last night and how we kept doing long balls. I must of been watching a totally different game!
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pazelle added 12:25 - Aug 15 Great photo!
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JimmyJazz added 12:34 - Aug 15 Sam Walker, sign him up when Chelsea decide they don't want him anymore
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hollywoodginge added 14:52 - Aug 15 Photo caption: Paul Jewell "I'm batman!!" in his best Alan Partridge voice.
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legoman added 16:25 - Aug 15 That defeat was the start of the end of a sensational era.
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yorksblue added 17:23 - Aug 15 I remember the journey there and back by train, without a ticket, and sitting in the Aberdeen end, having bought one from a tout. Thank god we lost!
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Talbs77 added 20:09 - Aug 15 Always think how nice a fella Mark Mcghee is as well as thinking how he should be either a model in a colgate advert or a polititian with his dazzling smile! I actually thought their goalie was half decent and definately think so now I have read the above. Still think its looking good for the season as long as we get another centre half and centre forward.
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canveyblue added 21:07 - Aug 15 Aberdeen away- my one and only european away game. Aunt Kath slaughterd me all the way home......god bless her, i do miss our footie chats we use to have when Town and Aberdeen were sh*t hot then.TWTD.
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