Aberdeen won the Scottish Cup for the first time in 35 years as goalkeeper Dimitar Mitov inspired a penalty shoot-out triumph that ended Celtic’s treble bid on Saturday.
Mitov saved spot kicks from Callum McGregor and Alistair Johnston in Aberdeen’s shock 4-3 win on penalties after a 1-1 draw at Hampden Park.
The Bulgarian’s heroics were a stark contrast to Celtic keeper Kasper Schmeichel, whose 83rd-minute own goal gave Aberdeen a lifeline.
Schmeichel’s blunder cancelled out an earlier own goal from Aberdeen’s Alfie Dorrington in the first half.
Celtic hit the post twice but could not find a winner and McGregor was left in tears after the shoot-out prevented Celtic clinching a sixth treble in nine seasons.
Aberdeen’s first major trophy since the 2014 Scottish League Cup capped Jimmy Thelin’s first season in charge in memorable fashion.
“We had to dream big. Everybody has to believe and then anything can happen. We spent all week trying to visualise winning this game,” Thelin said.
“The players were tired, they were cramping but they kept believing.
“Sometimes you need some luck, but the hard work was amazing from the players.”
The Dons had matched Celtic in the first 11 games of the Scottish Premiership season, but their form collapsed in spectacular fashion as they finished fifth after losing their final five matches.
They had also conceded 19 goals in their previous five meetings with Celtic, who were firm favourites to follow their Scottish title and Scottish League Cup successes with yet another trophy.
“We didn’t play anywhere near the standard we needed to,” Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers said after the first final defeat of his managerial career
“Aberdeen defended well, that made it difficult for us. With the greatest respect, it was more ourselves. We failed to get to the level you need to get to.
“We can have no complaints, we didn’t do enough in the game. We cannot blame anyone else.”
Rodgers’ men made the breakthrough in the 39th minute when Cameron Carter-Vickers met Arne Engels’ corner with a glancing header that hit Dorrington’s shoulder and diverted in off the post.
Daizen Maeda headed over before Engels hit the post from 18 yards as Celtic pressed for the second goal.
But Aberdeen refused to surrender and a loose pass from Paulo Bernardo in the 83rd minute proved costly for Celtic.
Shayden Morris delivered a low cross and Schmeichel scooped it into his own net under no pressure in an embarrassing howler.
Dons substitute Dante Polvara volleyed just over from 12 yards and Pape Habib Gueye shot straight at Schmeichel in a tense extra-time period.
Celtic’s Jeffrey Schlupp rattled the crossbar from 20 yards but Aberdeen held firm before Mitov secured their second major trophy this century.
AFP
