Jimmy Thelin proud to put ‘a smile on the city' as Aberdeen lift Scottish Cup
The Dons arrived at Hampden as huge underdogs but overcame an unfortunate Alfie Dorrington own goal at the end of the first half to equalise in the 83rd minute, after Celtic goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel fumbled a low Shayden Morris cross into his own net to make it 1-1.
With neither side able to find a winner, penalties were required and goalkeeper Dimitar Mitov – who pulled off a huge save from Daizen Maeda in stoppage-time – made himself the hero by saving Celtic's first and fifth spot-kicks from Callum McGregor and Alistair Johnston respectively.
Thelin looked emotionally drained as he reflected on a triumphant end to his roller coaster first season in charge of the Dons since arriving from Elfsborg last summer.
'What can I say about my feelings?' he said. 'I think you hear outside today with our supporters, the face of our supporters, the smile on the city, the players, the staff…all this week we have tried to visualise how we can win this game and create this belief inside the squad and how to compete.
'Celtic is a really good team. Brendan (Rodgers) is a really amazing manager, but the way the players competed out there, how they defended together, they were cramped, they were tired, but they kept believing and I'm so proud.
'I'm happy, relieved, tired and I'm going to enjoy this evening.'
Remarkably, the Dons' last triumph in the competition, in 1990, also came on penalties against Celtic and Thelin praised his goalkeeper Mitov and his four kickers – Graeme Shinnie, Dante Polvara, Oday Dabbagh and Ante Palaversa – for coming to the fore.
'Dimi's saved some penalties before and he's so good in this situation and so mentally strong in this important moment,' said Thelin. 'But also the guys who took the penalties, they were really, really good penalties in the top corner.'
By winning the Scottish Cup, Aberdeen – who finished fifth in the William Hill Premiership – are guaranteed European football until at least December next term, starting in the Europa League play-off with a parachute into the Conference League.
Thelin believes coming through such a formidable test will stand his side in good stead for the big matches awaiting them next term.
'When you win you can take a lot and I think so many players today grew a lot, they get the feeling that they can do it and it's going to help them in the future,' he said.
Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers suffered defeat in a final for the first time in his managerial career but said his side could have 'no complaints'.
'Clearly, while we're very disappointed, we know that we didn't play anywhere near the standard needed,' said the former Liverpool and Leicester boss. 'We didn't do enough in the game.'
Rodgers was of no mind to blame Schmeichel for his error, adding: 'He's obviously apologetic to his team-mates but he's been outstanding for us all season. It's just unfortunate at that time in the game.'
Rodgers was philosophical, despite missing out on the third treble across his two spells in charge of Celtic.
'I'm not angry,' he stressed. 'This is a team that's given me so much with their honest and quality of their football.
'Finals do this sometimes. There's been so many times when I've sat in here and it's been different. I've had 11 finals up here and down in England and this is my first loss. You have to accept that.'
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