‘I couldn't get near them' – Scottish Cup final penalty hero Dimitar Mitov says Aberdeen's spot kicks were unstoppable
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HE made crucial saves to deny Celtic skipper Callum McGregor and Alistair Johnston in the Scottish Cup final penalty shoot-out.
But Aberdeen goalkeeper Dimitar Mitov says he always knew they would be on to a winner with spotkicks, as he had no chance coming up against his own team-mates in training the day before the Hampden showpiece.
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Aberdeen goalkeeper Dimitar Mitov celebrates with the Scottish Cup
Credit: Alamy
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Mitov saves from Callum McGregor
Credit: Reuters
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Mitov in action
Credit: Getty
The Dons famously upset the odds to end their 35-year wait for Scottish Cup glory and deny Celtic a historic treble on Saturday.
With the sides level at 1-1 following 120 minutes of action, it came down to a nerve shredding shoot-out and the Bulgarian always felt they could come out on top.
Mitov saved the first penalty from Callum McGregor which he believed set the tone.
But he was full of praise for the men in red who dispatched four perfect penalties.
Graeme Shinnie, Dante Polvara, Oday Dabbagh and Ante Palaversa all slotted past Kasper Schmeichel with aplomb.
On the Dons' penalties, he told Talksport: "They were incredible.
"We practised the day before and I could not get near them. Every penalty was hit with pace and it was in the top corner.
"I was saying to them even if the keeper goes the right way - he's not saving them because it is of that good a quality.
"Listen, I'm over the moon for them. I can only imagine the pressure they were feeling in the legs going to take that penalty, so it was amazing they managed to score. "
Aberdeen made a brilliant start to the season winning 10 of their first 11 league games, but they drastically fell away to a disappointing fifth place finish.
Aberdeen fans react to historic Scottish Cup win
Other teams around them like Hearts are set to strengthen in the summer, with Brighton owner Tony Bloom set to take up a 29 per cent in stake the club for an investment of around £10 million.
The American takeover at Rangers is also nearing completion with a major rebuild at Ibrox expected once that is through and a new manager is found.
Mitov added: "Like every other season, every team is looking to improve.
"Every team is looking to build towards something and compete for the highest positions in the league, and it is no different at Aberdeen.
"Aberdeen is a big club, we should be competing at the high end.
"It's going to be an exciting summer and an exciting next season. so we're all looking forward to it."
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