Latest news with #CallumMcGregor
Daily Record
28-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
Salty Celtic tears fuel Rangers p***take of a lifetime as diehards demand the SFA stand down
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Callum McGregor's Celtic tears at Hampden last Saturday have got one Hotline caller labelling the Hoops' captain's emotional outburst as "Watergate 2". It comes just months after former Rangers loanee Vaclav Cerny sparked uproar at Parkhead when he squirted home fans with a water bottle during their 3-2 Old Firm victory in March. Cerny was later subjected to an investigation by both the SFA and the police but ultimately no action was taken. And one Hotline caller is revelling in the aftermath of Aberdeen ending Celtic's quest for another Treble at the final hurdle. Scott Gowers, Edinburgh, wrote: "Whilst walking past Hampden my feet got soaked trudging through Callum McGregor's tears starting Watergate 2. As a Rangers fan I see the funny side and don't think there is need for police nor SFA intervention. This fact shows how more grown up Rangers fans are than Celtic fans, it's only water, we wash with it every day (allegedly), I certainly do." Despite McGregor's penalty woes at the national stadium, Robert Mcewan, Mt Vernon, has sent a timely reminder about the trophy haul he has already racked up with his boyhood club. He added: "After 20 odd medals, I am sure Callum McGregor has done plenty of greeting with joy. The guy is pure class." Paul Price, Glasgow, also rose to the defence of the Celtic skipper, in reference to Gers fan and caller Alan Flett's disparaging remarks about the 31-year-old. He said: "Belated well done Aberdeen. As a Celtic supporter I am not going to say I didn't see that coming, unexpected definitely. "Anyways a couple of things on my mind firstly, Alan Flett's comment about Callum McGregor, ' greeting like a bairn'. I will take that everyday of the week from one of Scotland's most decorated footballers. Rather than the dross that play me think Rangers ! (Simply ... oh yes rubbish). "On a serious note Celtic cannot dither over the cost of Lennon Miller. PAY UP and do not do another John McGinn. The Bhoy to be is a class act, splash the CASH ... show intent." (Image: SNS Group) Staying with Lennon Miller, Neil Renton, Leith, believes the Motherwell sensation and Scotland's Young Player of the Year should be aiming higher than the Hoops should he decide to move on this summer. He wrote: "If Lennon Miller wants to be a big part player at a team who aren't as good as they think they are then he should join Celtic. If he wants to push himself and show what he's got on a bigger stage he should move abroad. Or to Hibs." Rangers diehard George Wilson has also come under fire for his boats about his club's star power in the wake of a trophy less season at Ibrox. Gordon Ashley, Ayr, said: "George Wilson is getting very boring in his tiresome quest to prove that winning nothing is actually better than winning multiple trophies, Celtic and Aberdeen have had great seasons and made a mockery of his club, and none of his lengthy sleep inducing rants will ever change that." Sean McGarvey, Cumbernauld, added: "Someone needs to tell George Wilson to come up to Scotland some time, then he'd see Celtic's 'great rivals' aren't Rangers, or they'd maybe have been at Hampden instead of losing to Queen of the South or whatever diddy team it was they lost to. "George's greatest rival seems to be reality. And reality is this, Celtic NOT winning a treble is an abnormal situation. Keep flinging stones from your glass house George, it's hilarious." Elsewhere, Livingston's return to the Premiership has one caller once again remonstrating about the number of plastic pitches in Scotland's top tier, which will stand at three next season. Stephen Mullhern, Dumbarton, wrote:"While congratulations are in order with Livingston back up in their first attempt that's now three teams with artificial surfaces in our top flight. "And from a purely selfish point of view how does Brendan Rodgers tempt the quality he craves to take the club forward in Europe when this is the scenario he trying to tempt them with? It's a one horse league here and the quality Rodgers needs will always choose south of the border instead."
Scottish Sun
28-05-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
‘I couldn't get near them' – Scottish Cup final penalty hero Dimitar Mitov says Aberdeen's spot kicks were unstoppable
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) 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. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Aberdeen goalkeeper Dimitar Mitov celebrates with the Scottish Cup Credit: Alamy 3 Mitov saves from Callum McGregor Credit: Reuters 3 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." Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
South Wales Guardian
25-05-2025
- Sport
- South Wales Guardian
Liam Scales: Celtic to return stronger next term after domestic treble bid fails
It looked like the Hoops would go on to complete a sixth clean sweep in nine years when they took the lead at Hampden Park on Saturday in the 39th minute through an Alfie Dorrington own goal. However, that advantage was cancelled out in the 83rd minute by a blunder from Hoops keeper Kasper Schmeichel, and the Pittodrie side went on to win on penalties with keeper Dimitar Mitov saving from Celtic skipper Callum McGregor and Alistair Johnston to take the cup back to the Granite City for the first time in 35 years. Defender Scales reflected on a league and League Cup double and a Champions League campaign which saw Celtic reach the knockout stages of the reformatted competition before being knocked out by German giants Bayern Munich and looked forward to next season. The 26-year-old said: 'We didn't hit the heights we wanted to and then the longer it went on, it could have gone either way and that's what happened with the penalties. 'But credit to Aberdeen, congratulations to them but we'll be back stronger next season. 'We probably didn't create as much as we wanted to, but we still had enough to win the game, but we didn't take our chances. 'Both goals were a bit scrappy with a bit of luck. 'It is disappointing but we know now what we have to do next year. It's not nice to see them lifting the cup. 'We are full of hunger and drive but when something like that happens it sort of kicks you up the backside and so I am looking forward to getting in next season and going again. 'I think everyone needs a rest and just recover over the summer. 'The next few days will probably be tough, but we had a good season overall. 'We came so close to winning the treble, a penalty shoot-out. 'Our league campaign was brilliant, our Champions League campaign was brilliant and we won the League Cup so there is a lot of positives to take. 'We dominated in the league, we showed in the Champions League more so than in previous years, we improved a lot so we are going in the right direction. 'It is tough because the last game of the season ends on a sour note but we will have a few days to sort of feel sorry for ourselves, enjoy our summer then get back in for next season.' It was an emotional afternoon for McGregor, who stepped up to take Celtic's first penalty and saw it saved by Mitov. Celtic's Callum McGregor after the game (Andrew Milligan/PA) The midfielder, who has won 24 major honours with Celtic, was in tears at the end and Scales believes that was a sign of the hunger and winning mentality of the former Scotland player, who described his penalty as 'the worst moment I have ever had in football'. The Republic of Ireland international said: 'He leads by example and he puts his heart on the line every week. 'He plays every game like it's his last and he was obviously disappointed he missed the penalty but we wouldn't put any blame on him at all. 'He was brave enough to step up and take the first one. 'He's a top player and it happens to everyone, it's football and he'll bounce back. 'That's just the way he is, he is non-stop, he just wants to win all the time and the reaction you've seen, that's why, he's just top class.'
South Wales Guardian
25-05-2025
- Sport
- South Wales Guardian
Dimitar Mitov says Aberdeen squad ‘heroes forever' after Scottish Cup triumph
Mitov saved from Callum McGregor and Alistair Johnston to seal a 4-3 penalty shoot-out win against Celtic in the Scottish Gas Scottish Cup final. The Bulgaria international was only beaten by an unfortunate Alfie Dorrington own goal during 120 minutes of football as the Dons held out for a 1-1 draw. Mitov then took centre stage to help Aberdeen seal their first triumph in the tournament for 35 years. DIMITAR MITOV!!!! WE'VE ONLY GONE AND DONE IT!!!! — Aberdeen FC (@AberdeenFC) May 24, 2025 'When I saved the second penalty, I was a bit worried because the ref was checking the VAR,' the 28-year-old said. 'I was trying to stay calm and control the emotions. 'When he says 'it's fine', honestly, you feel something that you can't explain. You can't say. I'm so, so happy for everybody involved.' When asked how he approached the shoot-out, Mitov said: 'There's no tactics. It's trying to read, trying to be calm. 'You can see, even when I saved the first penalty from McGregor, I was trying to stay calm. Don't get too emotional, don't get too ahead of yourself, think of one penalty at the time. ⛔️ 🇧🇬#ScottishCup | @AberdeenFC — Scottish Gas Scottish Cup (@ScottishCup) May 24, 2025 'And I'm actually really disappointed because I should have saved (Daizen) Maeda's penalty. And if we didn't win that game, that would probably haunt me for the rest of my life. But listen, I'm over the moon. 'I think I've got about 500 messages already from back home. Everybody's super happy, everybody's super proud. 'And listen, it's moments like this, that's why we play football. And nobody can take away this from us now because I'm sure we're going to be heroes forever.' Mitov cut a confident figure during the shoot-out but he revealed manager Jimmy Thelin had filled the whole squad with belief. 'Always but I believe it comes from the manager,' he said. 'Because I'm going to give you a little secret. Leading to the final it's always 'when we win the final'. It's no ifs. And that mentality creeps into your head. Then you start thinking positive, you start imagining, you start seeing it. 'And when that changes, that mentality of the team, every time we talk to each other, it's when we win the final. No ifs. And I think that was the turning point.'
Glasgow Times
25-05-2025
- Sport
- Glasgow Times
Liam Scales: Celtic to return stronger next term after domestic treble bid fails
It looked like the Hoops would go on to complete a sixth clean sweep in nine years when they took the lead at Hampden Park on Saturday in the 39th minute through an Alfie Dorrington own goal. However, that advantage was cancelled out in the 83rd minute by a blunder from Hoops keeper Kasper Schmeichel, and the Pittodrie side went on to win on penalties with keeper Dimitar Mitov saving from Celtic skipper Callum McGregor and Alistair Johnston to take the cup back to the Granite City for the first time in 35 years. Defender Scales reflected on a league and League Cup double and a Champions League campaign which saw Celtic reach the knockout stages of the reformatted competition before being knocked out by German giants Bayern Munich and looked forward to next season. The 26-year-old said: 'We didn't hit the heights we wanted to and then the longer it went on, it could have gone either way and that's what happened with the penalties. 'But credit to Aberdeen, congratulations to them but we'll be back stronger next season. 'We probably didn't create as much as we wanted to, but we still had enough to win the game, but we didn't take our chances. 'Both goals were a bit scrappy with a bit of luck. 'It is disappointing but we know now what we have to do next year. It's not nice to see them lifting the cup. 'We are full of hunger and drive but when something like that happens it sort of kicks you up the backside and so I am looking forward to getting in next season and going again. 'I think everyone needs a rest and just recover over the summer. 'The next few days will probably be tough, but we had a good season overall. 'We came so close to winning the treble, a penalty shoot-out. 'Our league campaign was brilliant, our Champions League campaign was brilliant and we won the League Cup so there is a lot of positives to take. 'We dominated in the league, we showed in the Champions League more so than in previous years, we improved a lot so we are going in the right direction. 'It is tough because the last game of the season ends on a sour note but we will have a few days to sort of feel sorry for ourselves, enjoy our summer then get back in for next season.' It was an emotional afternoon for McGregor, who stepped up to take Celtic's first penalty and saw it saved by Mitov. Celtic's Callum McGregor after the game (Andrew Milligan/PA) The midfielder, who has won 24 major honours with Celtic, was in tears at the end and Scales believes that was a sign of the hunger and winning mentality of the former Scotland player, who described his penalty as 'the worst moment I have ever had in football'. The Republic of Ireland international said: 'He leads by example and he puts his heart on the line every week. 'He plays every game like it's his last and he was obviously disappointed he missed the penalty but we wouldn't put any blame on him at all. 'He was brave enough to step up and take the first one. 'He's a top player and it happens to everyone, it's football and he'll bounce back. 'That's just the way he is, he is non-stop, he just wants to win all the time and the reaction you've seen, that's why, he's just top class.'
