NafisaCeltic’s incredible season ended in defeat.
It was a sour end to Celtic winning the double, but Aberdeen and Jimmy Thelin deserved their flowers for getting past the champions.
Aberdeen required penalties to beat Celtic in the Scottish Cup final, as Brendan Rodgers’ side were just a few kicks away from winning the Treble.
Many of the supporters will look over the course of the 120 minutes, and how the team just didn’t produce their usual high standards.
But, in the penalty shootout itself, Celtic were denied by Aberdeen goalkeeper, Dimitar Mitov, who ended up saving two penalties.
The Dons put away their penalties in magnificent style, but Callum McGregor and Alistair Johnston were the two men denied.
Aberdeen’s Dimitar Mitov lauds Callum McGregor after saving Celtic captain’s penalty
Just like Celtic’s League Cup final shootout win over Rangers back in December, it was always going to be McGregor wanting to set the tone and take the pressure of that first penalty.
Aberdeen’s man between the sticks lauded the Celtic skipper, including how he is ‘the best player’ in the team.
Speaking live on talkSPORT on Wednesday morning, Mitov explained that it was ‘really important’ that he struck first, especially given who he was against.
I am just, in general, a very confident guy,” said Mitov. “To be honest with you, I was very calm in the penalty shootout.
“For me, it was really important, as soon as I saw McGregor stepping up. In my opinion, their best player. Their captain.
“It was really important to save the first penalty and set the tone for the rest of the penalty shootout. Give a little bit of calmness to my teammates. It was a really, really good moment. Managed really well and saved it.
“But I also didn’t want to celebrate too much. You want to stay calm. You want to stay focused because there are a few more penalties to come.
Mitov on Celtic being ‘the best team in the country’
It’s a strange ending to the season, because you can’t complain too much given that a 55th Premiership title was delivered, alongside that incredible Hampden win over Rangers.
Yes, Celtic were a little off it in 2025, and Rodgers lost a few more games than he would have liked.
But, as Mitov explained, there is nobody in Scotland better than Celtic right now, as the table and the trophies don’t lie.
“Obviously, it’s really difficult playing against Celtic because we know, at this moment in time, they are the best team in the country,” said Mitov.
“We had to minimise them to the bare minimum chances. I thought the boys in front of me were outstanding. They kept running for the whole 120 minutes.
“In the end, we did something not many people thought we would.
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