Aberdeen ended a 35-year wait for Scottish Cup glory on Saturday, defeating Celtic on penalties after a 1-1 draw at Hampden Park. The result denies Celtic a domestic treble and echoes previous upsets in 1990 and 1970, when Aberdeen also ended the Glasgow club’s clean sweep ambitions.
Dimitar Mitov was the hero for Aberdeen, saving two penalties in the shootout—from Callum McGregor and Alistair Johnston—as his side converted all of theirs. The Bulgarian goalkeeper, who was playing for Cambridge United just a year ago, has quickly become a cult figure at Pittodrie after joining via St Johnstone.
Aberdeen manager Jimmy Thelin, in his first season in charge, delivered the club’s first Scottish Cup since 1990 and praised his team’s resilience. “We spent all week trying to visualise winning this game,” he said. “The players were tired and cramping, but they kept believing.”
The final itself was a cagey affair, with Aberdeen sitting deep and disrupting Celtic’s rhythm. Brendan Rodgers’ side struggled to break them down, and though they led at half-time through a deflected Cameron Carter-Vickers header, they failed to assert control. Kasper Schmeichel’s own goal in the closing minutes—misjudging a low cross from Shayden Morris—brought Aberdeen level and forced extra time.
Celtic had chances to win it late on, with Daizen Maeda missing a one-on-one opportunity in stoppage time, and Jeffrey Schlupp hitting the post in extra time. But Aberdeen held on and executed their penalties flawlessly to claim the trophy.
Rodgers, who had never lost in 14 previous Hampden appearances, admitted his side underperformed. “We didn’t play anywhere near the standard we needed to,” he said. “We can have no complaints. We didn’t do enough in the game.”
Aberdeen’s win not only brings silverware but also secures guaranteed European football until Christmas, earning them an estimated £5 million windfall. Hibernian and Dundee United drop down the qualification spots as a result.
Celtic’s season still included league and League Cup success, but this defeat casts a shadow over an otherwise strong domestic campaign. For Aberdeen, it marks the culmination of a tactical gamble that paid off—and a night their supporters will remember for years.
