Mats Knoester looking to leave Hearts in the dark at Hampden (2025)

Knoester helped AGF to the Danish Cup Final and swears there was no conspiracy theory behind the lights going out in their semi-final

Aberdeen star Mats Knoester knows a thing or two about putting the lights out on the opposition in a semi-final.

He will be hoping to leave Hearts in the dark at Hampden by helping the Dons to shine and book their place in the Scottish Cup final.

Knoester helped AGF into last season’s Danish Cup final but only after a bit of last four drama.

The second leg saw the lights go out in the Aarhus Stadium before the game and that left Nordsjaelland fuming, before they eventually lost 1-0 on the night and 4-2 on aggregate to AGF.

Knoester recalled: “It was a very special night. So first, the lights of the stadium went out right before the game. It was at our stadium.

“So we were waiting half an hour for them to fix it. Nordsjaelland were like, what's going on? Then we were already like, okay.

“They (Nordsjaelland’s players) were already getting irritated now, before the game and then we just came with a lot of energy and a lot of power.

“Yes, we beat them. I think mentality was the key to that game.”

Knoester joked the pre-match delay led to some interesting conspiracy theories. He admitted: “Well, I've heard some (of their) guys were thinking that (it was done on purpose), but I don't know.

“I haven't heard it was on purpose, but maybe there was somebody just cutting the lines to power.”

It is 35 years since Aberdeen last won the Scottish Cup. Knoester might be a new arrival but is aware of their thirst for success.

He explained: “The first meeting I had here before signing here was about the prizes Aberdeen had won, how big the club is, etc.

“So before even signing here you know, nobody has said it directly to me from outside the club, but you get like, here and there you pick up how important it is.

“I think everybody knows I think it's pretty clear.

“Yes, both ways. If you, as a player, have to understand you can win a cup and how big that is!

“I think it should come from a player as well, from itself.

“But then also we are aware of what it means in this club and for the people in Aberdeen what it means. So it (works) both ways.”

Aberdeen last won the competition back in 1990 when they beat Celtic on penalties. Knoester hopes the omens are good because that famous Dons side also had a strong Dutch contingent, including legends Hans Gillhaus and Theo Snelders. He would love to follow in their footsteps.

The current star claimed: “I know and they obviously made a big impact here. They're legends, I think.

“I think they are coming back across for an event next month, I have heard about that.

“That's the thing with winning prizes. People remember you forever, even if they don't know you.

“They will see your name somewhere. Which is very nice, of course.”

The defender thinks there are parallels between here and AGF. It had been 28 years since the Aarhus team last won the Danish Cup and that wait goes on after they lost 1-0 to Silkeborg.

“It was a bit similar to here,” the former Feyenoord player admitted. “AGF hasn't won it for a long time as well, but they're always close and always competing.

“They’ve missed out a few times. The cup is really big and it lives among the people.

“So, in that way, it was a bit similar.”

The Dutchman is confident his Aberdeen are surging at the right time.

They have lost one game since he arrived from Ferencvaros and are fight on two fronts for the Scottish Cup and third place in the Premiership

The Reds are big favourites with Hearts having failed to make the top six.

The 26-year-old knows it is about making full use of the occasion and making sure you come off with no regrets.

He stated: “I don't know if it's the most difficult, but it's definitely one of the most difficult ones.

“Everyone is already hoping, expecting a final, where you still have to go for a big battle in the semi-final.

“So that's why it's also important for us inside to keep calm and first finish it off.”

It will be a first trip to Hampen for Knoester and his first match against Hearts. Thelin and his coaching team have done their homework and made sure that their team knows all they need to know about Neil Critchley's side.

Knoester added: “We’ve watched clips, obviously. So we prepared as a team and then they sent me clips about possible opponents, so strikers and that's what I've seen.

“I know it's a big club as well and that normally they're competitive.

“So I think I have a good picture of them. I think the runs and the directness in general.

“But how we're exactly going to do it would be a bit stupid to tell you guys because if their coach reads it, then he's like, okay, that's what they're going to do.

“So I think we're well prepared.”

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