TARGET DEL’S CUP FINAL HELL Sunderland managerial target's Hampden heartbreaker as Celtic KO Dons in stoppage time
SUNDERLAND MANAGERIAL TARGET DEVASTATED BY ABERDEEN’S CUP FINAL HEARTBREAKER
Dejected Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes is ready to go again next season – after the disappointment of Saturday’s Scottish Cup final defeat to Celtic.
Though whether the 45-year-old – among the favourites to be the next Sunderland boss – will still be in charge at Pittodrie, is open to question.
McInnes admitted his side were beaten by a touch of “class” by Tom Rogic, who hit Celtic’s stoppage-time winner, sealing a 2-1 victory.
But he is confident that his side can go one better next season. McInnes said: “It felt like two proper teams slugging it out.
“There were chances, both keepers made great saves and good saves and when it’s slugging it out there is sometimes that lucky punch or that killer punch and Rogic produced a bit of class, a brilliant finish, though we are disappointed of course, compounded because it was a cup final.
“We put a lot into it and I’m just gutted for the players, and gutted for the supporters who made a big effort again. “I feel we will be back. “I absolutely feel we can come back here next year and it make it go our way that time. It is fine lines.”
Aberdeen’s pressing was impressive, making life harder for Celtic than any other game domestically this season.
“351 days ago we reported for pre-season,” said McInnes. “It has been a long season with a tight squad.
“They gave it absolutely everything. There was nothing in the game apart from the fact we lacked a bit of legs to keep going forward and to keep applying the pressure.
“Celtic are a good team and good teams find an answer. I thought we had the better chances before we scored (Jonny Hayes fired them in front early on).
“The days are long gone now when Aberdeen just get to the odd cup final.
“That is our third cup final in four years.
“It is our fourth game at Hampden this season. This club could not even get to Hampden for a lot of years.
“We feel this is where we are. This is what we do at Aberdeen now.
“We get to cup finals to give ourselves a chance to win. That is not going to change because a few boys are leaving.
“We will still crack the whip and get good players in and be ready to go again.
“There has been a lot of effort to try and bring new players to the club. I am gutted I can’t hold onto the ones who are leaving.
“I’d love to lock them in Pittodrie and give them what they want as I love working with them. No one is leaving because they are unhappy.”
Aberdeen are due to start their Europa League qualifiers in mid-July.