Aberdeen legend Jim Bett is desperate for Jimmy Calderwood's troops to end the club's trophy drought - and "save their season".Bett was a member of the last Aberdeen team to win the Scottish Cup, back in 1990, and believes another Hampden triumph could be a catalyst for better times at Pittodrie.

The Dons, who stunned Celtic in their quarter-final replay at Parkhead, take on Queen of the South in a last-four tussle at the national stadium on Saturday.

And although Bett stressed the Irn-Bru First Division side must not be underestimated, he admits everything points to the Dons booking their ticket to the May 24 final.

"They've got a massive incentive," said Bett.

"They have got a great opportunity to save their season.

"I think everyone expects Rangers to also get to the final, so if that's the case Aberdeen would get a straight passage into Europe."

Aberdeen would qualify for the UEFA Cup, as Rangers have already secured their top-two finish and will contest the Champions League.

A Dons-Rangers clash would also mean two of Bett's former clubs meeting in the final.

Rangers, who face a quarter-final replay at Partick on Sunday, would be firm favourites in the final and beat Aberdeen 4-0 in the 2000 Scottish Cup final.

But simply to secure a return trip to Hampden next month would satisfy the Aberdeen supporters who have shown frustration with the team's performance at times this season.

The Dons have not won a major trophy since defeating Dundee in the 1995 League Cup final.

"If Aberdeen get through, they've got a great chance to give their supporters something back," said Bett, the 48-year-old former Scotland midfielder.

"The Scottish Cup final is a great day for everybody involved. It's the last game of the season so everybody should look forward to it, but before that they've got a tricky tie against Queen of the South.

"Aberdeen are favourites but Queen of the South have only got 90 minutes between themselves and a final which would be absolutely tremendous for that club, and they've got nothing to lose.

"It's been a long time since Aberdeen won the Scottish Cup though. They've reached two finals since we won it, but the supporters have been waiting so long to get back to Hampden.

"Obviously getting there for a semi-final is good, but the priority is getting to the final.

"The supporters enjoy a good day out in Glasgow but this weekend they'll just be looking forward to the team beating Queen of the South to get to the final."

Calderwood's side clinched a top-six finish on Monday with victory over mid-table rivals Falkirk, who were condemned to spend the season in the bottom half of the Clydesdale Bank Premier League.

Ten points from their last four SPL matches carried Aberdeen past the faltering Bairns, and Bett predicted: "It should be a good end to the season now.

"They could finish off on a high, then you can look forward to next season with the possibility of European football to come.

"They've got a hard hurdle to get over because I don't think this game against Queen of the South will be easy, but they should win.

"They're the favourites of course, but it all depends on how each team reacts on the day."

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