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!”