ABERDEEN teenager Scott Wright has surely played his way into the Scottish Cup Final squad after this superb individual display which stood out even from an almost perfect team performance.

The 19-year-old scored three as his side ripped Partick Thistle to shreds 6-0. He was ably abetted by his team-mates who could never have imagined being given such an easy last league outing before meeting Celtic at Hampden this Saturday.

In defence of Thistle, they had ten players out and not one of their supporters could complain about what their team had given them this season. The top six matches have been a bit much for them and yesterday it was their bad lack they met an opponent bang on form.

Alongside Wright, Ryan Christie was superb but will not be available to play in the final because his loan deal from Celtic does not allow that.

Christie could well remain at Aberdeen for at least one more season and with Greg Tansey already signed, Shaun Maloney on his way and Garry Mackay-Steven seemingly also Pittodrie-bound, Scotland’s second best team aren’t going anywhere. That’s a record 76 points for Aberdeen. In the SPL/Premiership era this is the best tally from a side not called Celtic or Rangers.

It only took seven minutes for them to take the lead. From a good distance outside the Thistle box, Jonny Hayes sent a free-kick towards Adam Rooney, the ball was knocked back into the path of Christie who continued his good scoring form by aiming a right foot half volley into the bottom corner.

Aberdeen increased their lead on eleven minutes. Ash Taylor rose high to head a Kenny McLean cross onto the bar, and the ball fell to Wright who guided his shot past the group of players and into the net. It was 3-0 soon enough. It came on 16 minutes when McLean made a superb run from midfield. He then produced a perfect pass into the path of Wright whose shot wasn’t too shabby, the ball flying past Thistle keeper Mark Ridgers at his near post.

And then on 35 minutes, Thistle’s day went from bad to utterly horrific. Aberdeen, it must be said, were playing some great stuff. This goal was a peach, Shay Logan crossed from the right, Rooney dummied and a sliding Hayes made no mistake.

With the half coming to its end, Andrew Considine pulled the ball back to Christie on the edge of the box and the midfielder produced a superb shot which gave poor Rodgers no chance.

It became six on 51 minutes. Wright for his hat-trick – he also got three in for under-20s in a Challenge Cup match at the start of the season – when his shot from 20 yards was deflected as it flew in.

The young man of the moment certainly did himself a huge favour. Wright said: “I was just out there trying to show the manager what I can do and hopefully took my chance. Now we’ll see where it goes from there.”