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Dad and son fly 10,000 miles for Scottish Cup final

Ben Philip and Robbie Boyle
BBC Scotland News
Allan McCarlie Jamie on the left of the photo is holding an Australia flag, which is a blue background with white stars, and a red, white and blue Union Jack style flag in the corner. Allan is holding a red flag which says "Aberdeen" and has a blue and white saltire cross on one side. He's wearing a black football top and tracksuit bottoms and black cap. They are standing in a garden. Allan McCarlie
Jamie and his dad Allan, from Sydney, are attending the match at Hampden Park

A father and son who are travelling from Australia to Aberdeen in the Scottish Cup final it people think they are "mad" for making the long journey.

Allan McCarlie, 51, and his 18-year-old son Jamie are flying more than 10,000 miles (16,000km) from Sydney for the match on Saturday against Celtic.

The duo are making the trip via Bilbao in Spain to watch the Europa League final, as both also Manchester United.

Allan and Jamie also made the long journey to Glasgow in 2017 when the Dons lost 2-1 to Celtic at Hampden in the final.

Allan McCarlie Jamie and Allan in 2017 before heading to Scotland for the cup final. Jamie is holding an Australia flag, which is a blue background with white stars, and a red, white and blue Union Jack style flag in the corner. He is wearing a red Aberdeen FC jersey. Allan is holding a red flag which says "Aberdeen" and has a blue and white saltire cross on one side. He is wearing a white and black Aberdeen jersey. They are standing in a garden. Allan McCarlie
The pair made the long journey before for the 2017 Scottish Cup final

Speaking to BBC Scotland News, Allan said: "I have lived in Australia for around 26 years, but I am as big an Aberdeen fan today as I ever have been.

"I think being so far away just makes your heart grow fonder when your team reaches the final.

"I was actually there in 1990 behind the goals the last time that we won the cup and I promised myself that every time Aberdeen made the final, I would come back."

Manchester United making Wednesday's Europa League final with Tottenham meant the pair added a leg to the trip to watch the Premier League side.

SNS Theo Snelders, Alex McLeish and Brian Irvine celebrate Aberdeen winning the Scottish Cup final in 1990SNS
Allan McCarlie was at the cup final when Aberdeen won in 1990

They flew from Sydney to Dubai, then on to Madrid before a five-hour bus trip to Santander and a night in a hotel, before completing the journey to Bilbao.

Then they are travelling to Scotland on Friday.

Allan said the epic voyage was worth it to spend time with his son.

"We are not here for a long time," he added.

"Life is too short. You just have to live and do what you want to do."

Allan McCarlie Five men, including Jamie and Allan sitting on a bench in a park in Bilbao. The group have cups of beer. A large high rise building is behind them. Allan McCarlie
The dad and son travelled via Bilbao for the Europa League final

The school teacher insisted the chance of winning the Scottish Cup for the first time in 35 years was too much to resist, despite Celtic being firm favourites.

He said: "A lot of people are writing us off, but you know what, it's the Scottish Cup final and a one-off game.

"If we can lift that cup on Saturday it will mean the absolute world to me.

"A lot of people say I am absolutely mad spending the time and money coming back for it, but it would make it ever so sweet if we can win that cup."

'Simple things'

Allan is originally from Shotts in North Lanarkshire but settled on Aberdeen as his team - despite having Rangers-ing cousins - because he liked their red kits.

As well as watching his team take their shot at glory, the trip is also a chance to visit family and enjoy some home comforts.

"My mum and dad still live back in the central belt, so it is a good reason to visit them as well," said Allan.

"I am also a man of simple things, so I am looking forward to a roll and square sausage with brown sauce and a can of Irn Bru."