DARREN MACKIE says he rejected a move to Dundee because he wants to end the season a Scottish Cup winner with Aberdeen.
Dens Park manager Barry Smith has made two bids for the striker.
Mackie's contract is up in the summer and he knows his 13-year Dons career is coming to an end — but he insists he has unfinished business to take care of before he leaves Pittodrie.
That means rounding off his testimonial year in style with a Hampden Park date and open top bus ride down Union Street with the Scottish Cup. Mackie admitted: "I was flattered to get the offer from Dundee.
"My contract is coming to an end but if I don't get a new one here then I want the chance to end my time here by winning a trophy.
"It's so long since we won a cup, to do that as an Aberdeen player would mean everything to me.
"I have been a supporter all my life and I know how much it means to all the fans to win a trophy again after all these years.
"As long as I've been at Aberdeen I have wanted to bring silverware to the club and the chance is still there to do that. I was in the stands watching the last time we were in a final but I was just breaking through to the first team so I wasn't involved.
"That's why it would be the perfect way to round off my testimonial year with the club with an appearance at Hampden and hopefully lift the Cup.
"I have wanted to play more but I am as positive and determined as ever that I can force my way back into the side to finish the season on a high."
The closest Mackie came to a final was four years ago when Aberdeen lost 4-3 to Queen of the South in the semis — now Queens stand between Dons and a last eight place tomorrow. He added: "That defeat was one of the biggest blows of my entire career as it was a massive chance to get to a final.
"Jimmy Calderwood was manager, we let him down, we let ourselves down and we let everyone associated with the club down.
"It wasn't the best of days as I was disappointed not to start as I had got our winner at Celtic Park in the previous round.
"I did get on as a sub but it was one of those days where everything that could go wrong for us did go wrong and it was a huge blow.
"What that proves is that anything can happen, it is a warning to make sure our levels don't slip."
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