Aberdeen secured their first Scottish Cup triumph for 35 years after a penalty shoot-out win over Celtic at Hampden Park.
Dimitar Mitov was the hero as the Bulgarian goalkeeper saved two penalties in a 4-3 shoot-out victory after the teams battled out a 1-1 draw. Mitov saved the first spot-kick from Callum McGregor and then denied Alistair Johnston as Aberdeen produced a perfect set of penalties from their own players.
Mitov’s afternoon was in stark contrast to his opposite number Kasper Schmeichel, whose 83rd-minute blunder cancelled out an earlier own goal from Alfie Dorrington.
Dorrington’s unfortunate own goal gave Celtic the lead six minutes before the end of a scrappy first half but Schmeichel made a mess of dealing with a cross to get the Dons back in the game.
Celtic hit the frame of the goal 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.
It was Aberdeen’s fourth Scottish Cup final win over Celtic and emulated the 1990 side who beat the Hoops in an epic shoot-out. The triumph also ensured Jimmy Thelin’s first season as Aberdeen boss was a major success despite recent disappointments.
Here is how the Celtic and Aberdeen players rated for their performance out of 10...
17. Nicolas Kuhn - Celtic
In keeping with his second half of the season, this was a low key performance from the German winger up until his 65th minute withdrawal. 5 | PA
18. Leighton Clarkson - Aberdeen
Not able to impact the game in a creative sense. Had a free-kick shooting chance which he could have done better with as he sent a tame effort straight at Schmeichel, but made some good set piece deliveries. 6 | PA
19. Adam Idah - Celtic
Got no change out of the Aberdeen defence and had no real chances or touches of note in his 65 minutes on the park as the cup final seemed to pass the big Irishman by. 5 | SNS Group
20. Topi Keskinen - Aberdeen
Had an arguement that he was Aberdeen's best player before being hooked on 58 minutes with a few surging runs providing what little spark the Dons had up until that point, but no doubt the subs made a difference. 5 | SNS Group