Mackie vows to repay Dons faithful

Aberdeen hero Darren Mackie is determined to reach the Scottish Cup final in May to appease the fans who were left flat after their CIS Insurance Cup semi-final capitulation to Dundee United.

The 26-year-old Mackie, whose season has been blighted by injury, scored only his second goal of the campaign to give the Dons a shock quarter-final replay win over Celtic at Parkhead.

"It was a massive result for us and the fans," Mackie said. "We wanted to give the fans something to cheer about."

Aberdeen will face Irn-Bru First Division side Queen of the South in the semi-final, the Dons' first appearance in that stage of the competition in eight years, with the winners meeting Rangers or St Johnstone in the Hampden final.

Jimmy Calderwood's men relinquished the chance to reach the CIS Cup final when they lost 4-1 against the Tannadice side at Tynecastle last month.

Mackie is desperate to make amends in the Scottish Cup semi-final, which will be played on the weekend of April 12-13.

"It was always going to be tough at Parkhead and Celtic had a lot of chances but we got the goal," he said.

"It was only my second goal of the season but it was an important one.

"We didn't play well against Dundee United that night but now we have the chance to put it right and it's something that we look forward to.

"We know it's going to be tough against Queen of the South but we have a big chance."