Disappointment as Celtic lose on penalties to Aberdeen | OneFootball

Celtic’s Treble ambitions were crushed as Aberdeen ran out winners after the Scottish Cup Final at Hampden. The Scottish Champions took the lead despite being lethargic before a late own goal from Kasper Schmeichel pulled the Dons back into the game.

After that moment, Celtic looked leggy and despite some glaring chances – the Maeda one in particular – Aberdeen were playing for penalties. Unlike last year’s Scottish Cup Semi Final and Premier Sports Cup Final in December, Brendan Rodgers’ side were unable to see out the shootout. Celtic stalwarts Callum McGregor and Alistair Johnston missed while Schmeichel was left disappointed with each Aberdeen penalty found the net.

The result ends the fantastic run enjoyed by Callum McGregor in Cup Finals and means this is his first defeat when a trophy is up for grabs. The skipper was dismayed after the full time whistle and had to be consoled by the manager. Brendan, too, has now lost at Hampden for the first time as well as in the Scottish Cup for the first time. Aberdeen have gone 11 years without silverware and 35 without the Scottish Cup, you simply can’t win them all and today, Celtic struggled and Aberdeen’s attrition saw them through.

Celtic will need to go away and take stock of what has been a successful campaign. Trebles are difficult to win and the team and support will be disappointed but the reality is that the squad requires refreshing. The manager will know that and he will have targets in mind as he looks to gear the club back up for a tilt at European football and further domestic dominance.

Onwards and upwards.