Dimitar Mitov saves two penalties as the Dons win shootout at Hampden Park, ending a 35-year wait.
Dimitar Mitov was the hero as Aberdeen denied Celtic the treble and won their first Scottish Gas Scottish Cup in 35 years. Following a 1-1 draw at Hampden Park, the Bulgarian custodian saved two penalties in a 4-3 shootout win.
Aberdeen produced a flawless set of penalties from their own players, with the former St Johnstone player saving the first from Callum McGregor and then denying Alistair Johnston.
Mitov’s performance was in stark contrast to his opposite number, Kasper Schmeichel, whose 83rd-minute error cancelled out an earlier own goal by Alfie Dorrington.
Six minutes before the end of a gritty first half, Dorrington’s terrible own goal put Celtic ahead, but Schmeichel made a mess of dealing with a cross to bring the Dons back into the game.
Celtic hit the frame of the goal twice but were unable to find a winner, leaving McGregor in tears after the shootout stopped Celtic from claiming their sixth treble in nine seasons.
It was Aberdeen’s fourth Scottish Cup final victory over Celtic, and they emulated the 1990 team who defeated the Hoops in a dramatic shootout.
The victory also insured that Jimmy Thelin’s first season as Aberdeen manager was a huge success, despite recent failures.
The Dons had equalled Celtic in the first 11 games of the league season, but their record deteriorated spectacularly, and they finished fifth after losing their last five games.
They had also conceded 19 goals in five meetings with Celtic, so Thelin, who did not have Jamie McGrath or Jeppe Okkels in his side, went with five at the back to keep things close.
The plan worked well in the first half, which saw no shots on goal. Aberdeen made no notable attacks while limiting Celtic’s opportunities despite the champions’ 84% possession.
Celtic left-back Greg Taylor blasted just over from 25 yards in his final appearance before his contract expired, while Aberdeen defender Jack Milne made a fine block in a remarkable display by the 22-year-old, who was making only his third start of the season.
Cameron Carter-Vickers made his breakthrough when he met Arne Engels’ corner.
The glancing header was going off target until it hit Dorrington’s shoulder and deflected in off the post. The game resumed soon after the interval.
Mitov saved from Nicolas Kuhn, and Schmeichel eventually acquired a feel for the ball by catching Leighton Clarkson’s free kick. Aberdeen’s wing-backs were more adventurous, providing holes for Celtic to exploit.
Daizen Maeda headed over, and Engels hit the post with a left-footed shot from 18 yards. Mitov saved Maeda’s follow-up attempt, while Taylor went near again with a shot from the edge of the box that Dorrington wonderfully turned over the bar.
Celtic, however, were unable to finish the game, as a sloppy pass from Paulo Bernardo allowed Aberdeen to gain possession in the Celtic half.
They moved the ball to the right wing and recently brought in replacement Shayden Morris, who hit a low cross that Schmeichel scooped into his own net while under no immediate pressure.
The seven minutes of stoppage time were filled with incidents. Aberdeen forced two corners, then Maeda had a great chance after sprinting past two defenders, but he scuffed his effort, which Mitov blocked.
Aberdeen went back to sitting deep throughout the first period of extra time. Luke McCowan had a shot comfortably saved, McGregor curled narrowly wide, and Celtic suffered a setback when replacement James Forrest replaced Johnny Kenny after requiring treatment.
In the second period, both sides had chances. Dons sub Dante Polvara volleyed just over from 12 yards and Pape Habib Gueye shot straight at Schmeichel.
Celtic replacement Jeffrey Schlupp rattled the crossbar from 20 yards and Kenny did well to meet Johnston’s cross but could not get his header on target.
Aberdeen resisted late pressure to win only their second major trophy of the century.
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