‘This is going on forever' – Celtic star opens up on pain of watching Aberdeen's Scottish Cup celebrations

Scottish Sun

25-05-2025

AS the Scottish Cup was hoisted aloft and the Aberdeen heroes went wild, Celtic's stunned squad stayed rooted to the spot.
There was no heading straight down the tunnel in disappointment or disgust.
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A Celtic star has opened up on watching Aberdeen celebrate winning the Scottish Cup
Credit: Alamy
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Dons lifted the trophy in the Hampden stands then climbed down to continue celebrating on the pitch
Credit: Alamy
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Liam Scales congratulated Dons but insisted Celtic will use it as motivation
Credit: Alamy
Instead, Brendan Rodgers and the gutted group who had just missed out on a historic ninth Treble remained right where they were.
As they soaked up the disappointment and skipper Callum McGregor wiped away the tears, they looked on as the Dons headed down the Hampden steps to do the celebrations all over again on a platform out on the pitch.
By that stage most losing finalists would have been long gone.
But it would be wrong to assume the Hoops stars were following a direct instruction from Rodgers.
Beaten at Hampden for the first time under this manager there was an unspoken agreement that they shouldn't just pay respect to the winners — but witness something they never want to see again.
Hoops stopper Liam Scales said: "That's just how it is, that's the way you're brought up.
"Obviously if you lose a final you've got to have respect for the winning team.
"Aberdeen won this one, fair and square.
"There were no bad decisions, nothing really went against us to tip the game, they won it fair.
"It wouldn't bother me if we had won and another team hadn't stayed out.
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"It's just the way we've all been brought up as a team at Celtic.
"We've won a lot, if we don't win we still have to act respectfully and that was it.
"Is it something we don't want to have to do again? Yes, 100%.
"When you win you don't realise how long the wait is for the trophy lift.
"Aberdeen spent time enjoying it with their fans.
"You're standing out there thinking this is going on forever, and it's not a nice feeling.
"We won't want to have that happen again, it will spur us on now."
The Hoops' performance was far below the standards they have set all season.
Jimmy Thelin's five-at-the-back formation, and achievement in reaching half-time just 1-0 down gave the Dons the platform to make an impact after the break.
The fact both teams scored own goals summed up the quality on show, but there was drama in the second half, through extra-time and into those nerve-shredding penalties.
Some might point to the fact it was the 57th game of a long season for Celts.
After heading into the clash as overwhelming favourites, perhaps it was one game too far for them, but not in Scales' eyes.
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The Irishman, given the nod in central defence ahead of Auston Trusty, added: "Come the end of the game I felt we were in better shape than Aberdeen in the sense they had a lot of men down with cramp.
"They made subs earlier and we had fresher legs.
"I don't think it was one game too far, I just think on the day we didn't create as many chances as we have been doing.
"There was a bit of luck in either box.
"It's just gone their way.
"It's a fair result in a way but it's very disappointing.
"I feel maybe the occasion stiffened us up a little bit in the first half.
"We're used to playing against back fives a lot, especially in the league, so I don't think it's an excuse.
"We know how to break them down.
"I feel Aberdeen were dogged and there was some desperate defending at times, but they did well and credit to them.
"It goes to penalties and there's not much you can do about that.
"It's tough but we'll bounce back."
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Scales was previously on loan at Pittodrie, and looked to be heading for the Parkhead exit door on his return.
After missing out on a seventh piece of silverware with the Hoops he spoke with less emotion and more perspective.
Scales, 26, said: "There's probably no point speaking with emotion because you say things you don't really mean.
"You just have to take it on the chin, and that's the way we are as a team anyway.
"The best way to deal with things is to bounce back and win.
"It's the last game of the season, but it will kick us on for next year to be even better."
There were always going to be changes to the squad in the summer, with a Champions League qualifier to negotiate on their return.
Rodgers will now set about doing it all over again as he heads into the final year of his contract.
Scales added: "He always wants to improve.
"Since I arrived four years ago, it seems to keep getting better at every transfer window.
"The competition is stronger, we have two or three players for every position on the pitch.
"The Champions League is coming up and we need to qualify for that.
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"If we do, we want to be strong going into it.
"We're going to have to hit the ground running but we're used to that.
"You go on holiday, but you're given programmes to keep ticking over.
"We'll come back in fine shape.
"I'll have a week off then a week away with the Republic of Ireland.
"I'll have two-and-a-half or three weeks off after that."
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