Misplaced pass will haunt Hayes
But Jonny Hayes last night said his failure to provide Kenny McLean with a second- half tap- in will haunt his holidays.
Hayes gave Aberdeen a deser ved early lead at Hampden before Celtic hit back through Stuart Armstrong.
The Dons didn’t wilt – and had a gilt-edged chance to reclaim the lead when Hayes and McLean broke against Scott Brown.
All the wide man had to do was find his unmarked team- mate on the penalty spot.
Instead, his pass went too far behind McLean.
After collecting his second runner-up medal of the season, Hayes shared his heartache.
“When you go through two on one like we did, your eyes light up,” he said.
“To be honest, Scott Brown has taken up a hell of a position so I don’t think I could have played it anywhere else.
“I haven’t seen it back yet but I think I should have done better, I could have taken the shot on myself.
“It’s something that will probably stick with me for the rest of the summer. “It’s a tough one to take. “You will look back and think about it because when you lose like we did it has a lasting effect on you.
“Was it a turning point? I don’t really know because I can’t really remember what went on for the last 25 to 30 minutes.
“All I remember is we had some chances and they obviously put us under pressure.
“It’s a tough one to take because that’s the cruellest way to lose a cup final.
“There were times when we could have nicked a second goal and there were times we hung on in there for our lives.
“We were just getting ourselves mentally prepared for extra time and then they hit us with a sucker punch.”
Dons boss Derek McInnes has been strongly linked with a move to Sunderland this summer. Hayes is not surprised. But, while the Dons star admits losing their manager would be a blow to Aberdeen, he is hopeful McInnes will stay put.
“It’s part and parcel of football that people get linked with other clubs, it has happened with players and it’s happening with the manager,” said Hayes.
“It would be a tough one if he wasn’t here next season because he’s led by example. He has taken this club by the scruff of the neck, added good players and has put Aberdeen back on the map.
“We have been second in the league, been in Europe and played in cup finals.
“So the club is definitely in a better state than it was when he took over.
“He’s done a good job, so people will look at him, but, hopefully, he’ll still be here when we come back in.”