BARRY ROBSON thought he had left glory days at Celtic Park behind him when he moved from the Hoops to Middlesbrough in 2010.

But the memories of how special winning in the East End of Glasgow can be came flooding back when the midfielder helped Aberdeen lift the League Cup on Sunday.

The 35-year-old, who has a League Championship medal and a League Cup winner's medal from his time with Celtic, reflected: "It's been a great stadium for me. I've had some great nights, great moments.

"When I arrived at Parkhead before the final, I saw all the fans outside.

"It reminded me of when we won the league in 2008 with Celtic, days after Tommy Burns had died.

"The game was at Tannadice and we got back to Parkhead at 1.30 in the morning, but the place was packed.

"Sunday just reminded me of that. I felt it click in my head and thought, 'This is just like that night'."

Robson continued: "It was an incredible feeling to arrive at Parkhead on Sunday and see what it meant to the Aberdeen fans.

"I like Hampden. But to be able to come back to a place where I've had a lot of success, in front of fans who've been good to me, and win a cup was great."

Robson concedes it was not a vintage final, but he was more than happy to step forward to take Aberdeen's first spot-kick in the penalty shoot-out.

"My penalty was at the end where I scored against Barcelona, too," he smiled.

"The ball ended up in the same corner. It went over Victor Valdes' head."

Gordon Strachan was the Hoops boss when Robson scored that goal against Barca in that Champions League Last 16 tie in 2008.

And the man who later took him to Middlesbrough and is now in charge of Scotland was on hand to see Robson hit the net again.

Strachan even helped settle the man from Inverurie's nerves, as Robson explained: "I got a text message from Gordon on the morning of the game.

"He was telling me to stay focused and that I'd to enjoy it. I text him back saying, 'I'll only enjoy it if we win.'

"Gordon is a terrific man and that was a nice touch from him."

Strachan - and over 41,000 Dons fans in the stadium - saw Robson put the Dons ahead in the shoot-out after Jamie Langfield had saved Caley's first effort.

And Robson, who lists Inverness among his host of previous clubs, made no attempt to hide his delight.

He admitted: "It was a big celebration. But it wasn't as big as the one I had at the other end of the pitch when I scored a penalty in an Old Firm game.

"I nearly jumped into the camera that day. It's never easy taking the first penalty, but I was happy to take that pressure off someone else."