The mere mention of Hampden evokes mixed emotions in Ash Taylor.
This weekend will be the Kilmarnock defender’s fifth visit to the national stadium, all of them across his two spells at Aberdeen. There have been good times, don’t get him wrong; a thrilling 3-2 semi-final victory over Hibs in 2017 surely sticks out.
But his trips to Mount Florida have too often had a Celtic-shaped shadow hanging heavy overhead. That Derek McInnes Dons side, League Cup winners in 2014 before Taylor arrived, was cruelly denied further silverware by Brendan Rodgers’ invincible juggernaut.
