Hart’s heroics see off Aberdeen in shootout
Celtic supporters can be sensitive souls. They may object to criticism of a team that, having now reached the Scottish Cup final, stands close to a domestic double. It is that parochial mentality that has held the club back in recent times.
If Brendan Rodgers goes on to complete the job that lies in front of him it will rank among his finest achievements given the scant resource at his disposal. Rodgers would, in this circumstance, be empowered to raise on-field standards over the summer. The current bunch will make no headway beyond Gretna; Rodgers is surely in pursuit of loftier goals.
Aberdeen came within a penalty shootout of inflicting epic embarrassment on Celtic. Few could have argued had they done so.
This is a Celtic side that relied on the veteran James Forrest to give them momentum. It has a Norwich loanee as the preferable physical option in attack. When a batch of nondescript wide players, centre-backs and fullbacks are factored in – Cameron Carter-Vickers and Alistair Johnston are exceptions – revelling in seeing off Aberdeen on penalties makes an iota of sense. This is Aberdeen of 2024, not 1983; ninth in the Premiership and in such a pickle Neil Warnock walked out on a caretaker management role.
Celtic were suitably rocked to remove Forrest, himself a substitute, in the dying embers of extra time in what proved a failed attempt to see out the game. Chaos? You bet.
Celtic’s shortcomings should not take away from one of the most wonderfully wacky fixtures this venue has hosted. It was summed up by the shootout. Kelle Roos, the Aberdeen goalkeeper, required treatment in the midst of it. His opposite number, Joe Hart, took a break from gamesmanship towards opposition players to take a penalty: and cracked the post. In sudden death, Hart saved the decisive kick from Killian Phillips.
“Today was about getting to the final,” said Rodgers. “The players showed big heart and real nerve. I said to them, never mind football sessions, we need therapy sessions after that.” Rodgers was correct to praise Celtic’s character, which cannot be in doubt.
It felt like weeks earlier that Bojan Miovski had given Aberdeen an early lead. The Macedonian took advantage of merely the first episode of Celtic defensive generosity to meet a Leighton Clarkson through ball and flick beyond the advancing Hart.
Only a blunder allowed a struggling Celtic back into the game. Angus MacDonald tripped over the ball 30 yards from goal, allowing Kyogo Furuhashi to pounce. Stefan Gartenmann stopped the Japanese’s shot but Nicolas Kühn latched on to the loose ball and restored parity.
Aberdeen appealed for a penalty after Liam Scales flicked the ball with his hand in the closing stages of the first half. This was foul play under the current, maddening law but the VAR correctly determined the centreback’s arm was outside the area.
Forrest, who replaced the hopeless Yang Hyun-jun, had already served notice of his intent by cutting infield and seeing a shot blocked by the time he repeated the trick to greater effect.
Warnock did at least bring Junior Hoilett to Aberdeen. The evergreen wide man was left in blissful isolation before finding Ester Sokler with a cross. Adam Idah could have won the game for Celtic in regulation time.
In ordinary times, Matt O’Riley’s curling finish should have sealed the deal for Celtic. However, the unconvincing nature of their display was summed up by MacDonald meeting another Hoilett cross for 3-3 in the 119th minute.
Aberdeen earlier thought they had a penalty, only for the VAR to pinpoint a foul in the lead-up to Carter-Vickers bundling into Hoilett.
Rodgers remains unbeaten at Hampden. Next up, Rangers or Hearts on 25 May.