Luis 'Duk' Lopes is looking to help turn up the heat on Rangers at Hampden – after Celtic star Jota jokingly warned him off Aberdeen because it was too cold.
The Cape Verde international arrived last summer from Benfica’s B team and his constantly improving performances have already established him as a firm Pittodrie favourite. The 22-year-old proved too hot to handle for St Johnstone here as his double fired Dons out of their rut of five games without a win and made it 11 goals for the season.
He’s been their biggest goal threat since the World Cup break and it is likely a lot of Aberdeen expectations will rest on his shoulders when they travel south to take on Michael Beale’s side in Sunday’s League Cup semi-final. Duk, his dad’s nickname which has been handed down to him, said: “I am a striker and I always want to score. All the players like to play in big stadiums with a lot of fans. I am excited to go there and do a good job.
