An outstanding talent who progressed through the Pittodrie youth ranks to conquer Europe and score an iconic goal in a Scottish Cup final.

Just a few of the many happy memories Willie Miller has of his fellow Gothenburg Great Neale Cooper who was at the heart of the midfield of a Dons side that dominated not just Scotland, but Europe.

Aberdeen-raised and a lifelong Dons fan, Neale had been a ballboy as a kid at the club he adored.

His dream of playing for the Reds did not just come true – he went on to become one of the club’s greatest ever home-grown talents.

For Willie, the European Cup Winners’ Cup quarter-final against Bayern Munich in Germany showed the world how big a talent Neale was.

Aberdeen drew 0-0 in Munich’s Olympic Stadium in the first leg before winning the second leg 3-2 in arguably Pittodrie’s greatest ever night.

Sir Alex Ferguson had tasked Neale with keeping Bayern’s star man Paul Breitner, World Cup winner in 1974 and beaten World Cup finalist only a year earlier, in check.

He eliminated the threat of Breitner, the Ballon d’Or runner-up just 18 months earlier, with a masterful midfield display.

Willie said: “We lifted a lot of trophies together and also the European Cup Winners’ Cup in Gothenburg.

“One game I really remember is against Bayern Munich in Germany.

“Neale was absolutely outstanding in that 0-0 draw which was so important on the road to getting to that European final.

“He also scored that memorable goal against Rangers in the 4-1 Scottish Cup final win (in 1982).”

Prior to the first leg against Bayern, legendary West German international Franz Beckenbauer spied on the Dons. He pinpointed Neale and insisted he was an “outstanding” player who could walk into any top team in Europe.

Still a teenager, Neale proved that in Munich.

Willie said: “I have so many happy football memories of Neale, but also so many other great memories because he was such a great guy.”

Neale made his Aberdeen first team debut on October 11 1980 in a 2-0 defeat of Kilmarnock at Pittodrie.

He partnered Willie at centre-back in that game because Alex McLeish was out injured at the time.

Willie said: “Neale broke through very early in his career and was just a wee lad.

“He always had that talent and I think he had the eye on the sweeper’s position but I had to persuade him to move into midfield.

“Neale and Neil Simpson were an absolutely magnificent combination.

“Neale was an Aberdeen boy brought through and developed by the club and given the big chance to shine.

“And he certainly did that.”

Following that debut, Neale would go on to win two league titles, four Scottish Cups and the League Cup domestically.

“Tattie” would add the European Cup Winners’ Cup and Super Cup in 1983 as an integral part of the only Scottish team to win two European trophies.

His first trophy success came in 1982 with a 4-1 Scottish Cup win over Rangers after extra-time.

With the Reds 3-1 up at Hampden, Neale, just 18, scored an iconic goal.

He smashed a shot into an open net in front of the Rangers end, before punching the air … and then doing a forward roll.

Neale made 220 appearances for Aberdeen, scoring 10 goals, before transferring to top flight Aston Villa in 1986.

He would go on to play for Rangers, Reading, Dunfermline Athletic and Ross County.

In a successful managerial career, Neale guided Ross County through two successive promotions.

As manager of Hartlepool he took the side to the play-offs for the second tier.

Neale would also go on to manage Gillingham and Peterhead before returning to Hartlepool in the 2011-12 season.

His final trophy success with Aberdeen was the Scottish Cup in 1986 – a 3-0 win over Hearts at Hampden.

Fellow midfielder Jim Bett played alongside Neale in that cup final win.

Jim, speaking from his home in Iceland, said: “Neale was a great guy to have in the dressing room as he was always upbeat and telling jokes.

“He was a great footballer and also a great guy.

“We played together in the Aberdeen team that won the Scottish Cup in 1986.

“Alex Ferguson left the following season and that was the start of the team beginning to break up.

“The boys who had played under Sir Alex had won everything and perhaps needed a new challenge.

“Neale went down to Aston Villa and one or two others went elsewhere.

“He played for a few other clubs but his heart was always in Aberdeen.”

Neale signed schoolboy forms with Aberdeen under Billy McNeill in the 1977-78 season.

He was such an exciting talent Neale made his debut for the Aberdeen reserves at the age of just 14.

On turning 16, Neale was secured on a full-time contract at Pittodrie by Sir Alex Ferguson.

He would go on to conquer Europe before he was out of his teens.

Jim said: “It was some achievement for a player to come through the youth ranks at Aberdeen and then win European trophies.

“Neale won everything domestically with Aberdeen and was a key part of that side that won two European trophies.

“Alex Ferguson was a manager who gave young players a chance and at that time there were a few of them coming through at Pittodrie.

“That was very fortunate for Aberdeen.

“Neale went on to reach the heights with Aberdeen and lift European trophies.

“It was fantastic to see a young player from the city go on to have so much success.

“Neale achieved so much during his career.”