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Press and Journal
3 days ago
- Sport
- Press and Journal
Moreen Simpson: From childhood days at Pittodrie to parade day, fit a weekend to be an Aberdonian
Canna believe it's about 70 years since my dad – a lifelong Dons supporter – sometimes took me to Pittodrie. I've no memory of the matches. I wonder if Little Mo actually saw onything ava, surrounded by towering adults. We went again when I was a teenager and fair scunnert by the sight of mannies wie their backs to me tiddling against a fence. On to my student days when, to mark AFC being in a Scottish Cup semi-final, I covered masellie with beautiful red-and-white rosettes made by mum, a replica cup on my back courtesy of dad. However, while I was rattlin' ma tin at the Torcher, young footballs fans stripped me of the lot, including the cup. Dad was fumin'. Spookily appropriately, the Gothenberg triumph happened on my quine's sixth birthday; spooky because the Dons would go on to shape her adult life. As a teenager she and her friends joined a club attached to a bar, when going to matches home and away became hub of her social life. Sure enough, she fell for one of the gadgies who was a regular on the bus and the rest is their happy family history. A girl and boy on, almost inevitably their 11-year-old loon is as football mad as his mum and dad. Whenever he comes to my hoose, he's straight oot the back door, into the garden, to practise his penalties, free kicks and dribbling. He's bravely bounced back from some of the heart-breaking games he's been to recently, so when the cup final started on Saturday, all I could think of was him there in the stand. When it looked like Celtic would keep their one-goal lead, I could imagine his bonnie, increasingly disappointed face. Then the dramatic turnaround. When Mitov saved that last penalty, someone a pucklie gardens from me let off a triumphant rocket as I and my peer hairtie leapt with joy for the wee man. Minties later, a text pinged through from my quine with the most wonderful pic of him revelling in the triumph. And guess fit? He was holding a replica silver cup on his head. The years rolled back and I could almost see my dad looking at the photie ower my shoulder, beaming for his great-grandson holding the cup. My quine texted: 'He says it's the best day of his life. His heart was beating out of his chest during the penalties!' Yes, I had a weepie to masellie. That feeling must have been exactly the same for all Dons supporters at the game or watching elsewhere; the ecstasy of winning and dear memories of beloved fans no longer with us. As for the mass turn-out at the parade the next day, in all my 77 years there's never been such an astounding show of people and pride in the city. The 100,000-plus crowds dwarfed even the turn-out for the Gothenberg heroes. I half-thought about going with the family, but reckoned I was just too al'. Regretted it when I saw a lovely, affa happy mannie being interviewed on the telly aged 85. Mind you, I did have a impromptu celebration. During my morning walk, on the other side of the road I passed a huge bus queue of red-bedecked adults and kids heading for the parade. I gave them a cheery thumbs-up and shouted: 'Enjoy.' Next thing, they broke into a rousing chorus of The Northern Lights. I was fair chuffed. And, yup, there was tear in my eye yet again. Fit a weekend to be an Aberdonian! Moreen Simpson is a former assistant editor of the Evening Express and The Press and Journal and started her journalism career in 1970.
Scottish Sun
5 days ago
- 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
Daily Record
6 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
Kasper Schmeichel served cheeky slight by Aberdeen hero as Celtic star told Dimitar Mitov is better goalkeeper
It was a tough afternoon for the Dane at Hampden as he watched the Dons lift the Scottish Cup Celtic had their own Great Dane in Kasper Schmeichel but Alexander Jensen was always confident Aberdeen would win the Scottish Cup shootout because Dimitar Mitov is even better! That confidence wasn't to be misplaced as the Bulgarian No. 1 saved from Callum McGregor and Alistair Johnston to become the Hampden hero, as the Dons lifted their first trophy in more than a decade. Schmeichel was already in the firing line after his fumble for Shayden Morris's equaliser but his fellow countryman knows when it comes to penalties there aren't many better than Mitov. Jensen stated: "I knew with our goalkeeper that we had a good chance. "Also I'd seen Kasper Schmeichel saving penalties for the national team, so I knew he was good. But I knew we had an even better goalkeeper." Aberdeen went behind to a Cameron Carter-Vickers goal but levelled when an uncharacteristic error saw Schmeichel fumble a low Shayden Morris cross into his own net. Jensen admitted even he was surprised but equally delighted for his own team. It gave them the leveller they needed to go on and turn this tense Hampden clash on its head. "Actually I didn't notice what had happened at the time,' the full-back admitted. "I thought it had been put in by a defender. "It's not often you see that from him." That was in sharp contrast to Mitov who was the hero when he made a late stop, one-on-one, to deny Daizen Maeda. "Mitov was unbelievable throughout the game,' Jensen insisted. "We had a feeling when they missed that chance, it could be our day. "And it turned out that way which was fantastic." The Dons wrecked Celtic 's treble and ripped up the form book. Jensen reckons Thelin deserves all the credit for ripping up his master plan and producing something different, to claim his first win over Celtic, after four consecutive defeats. The defender acknowledged: "Before in the season against Celtic, we'd maybe tried to be more offensive. "On Saturday, we made some changes and obviously it was a great choice! "Over the last couple of weeks, it's felt like when our opponent scores once they go on and keep scoring. "It was good from us to stay calm and stick to our plan. 'All the subs that came on did amazing. "As a team, to win trophies you need everyone to contribute. "They certainly did that." The 23-year-old was a January signing from Brommapojkarna. He had previously been at Danish side Velje and Federica and admitted this win has been the standout highlight of his career. "We had a strong belief when we went into the game that we were here to win,' he stated. "We talked about it a lot and that gave us belief. We knew we had a great chance. "This is without a doubt the biggest achievement of my career." Alexander Jensen is confident the Scottish Cup win is also only the start for Thelin at Aberdeen. The Swede boss in his first season at Pittodrie ended a 35 year wait to get their hands on the famous old trophy. "It does mean a lot for the club and we're looking forward to next season,' Jensen insisted. "We believe we can still get better every day. "I do believe this is just the start with Jimmy Thelin. "I think we can be even better next season. "We know we can be better in the league. "If feels amazing to win the Scottish Cup and hopefully we can create even more history for this club." It was even more special for Jensen as it was his first senior medal and trophy. The Dane admitted: "It feels amazing. This is what you dream of as a player, to win titles and trophies. It was an unbelievable moment. "I had my girlfriend, my brother and my father here. They had friends with them as well, so there were a lot of people supporting me. "It was nice to see those familiar faces at the end. It was special and it meant a lot." Aberdeen now have guaranteed group stage football and Jensen believes this win can be the catalyst for further success. He has previously experienced it as a ball boy with Midtjylland but this time he will go into the Europa League qualifiers as one of Aberdeen's main men. "That is almost more important as a reward,' he beamed, as he looks forward to his first European assault. "Now we are in the play-offs of the Europa League and we are guaranteed European group stage football. "That is amazing and it's one of the reasons why I came here. We're looking forward to it."
Press and Journal
6 days ago
- Sport
- Press and Journal
Aberdeen daft AJ, 10, lands gloves goalkeeper Dimitar Mitov used to win Scottish Cup for Dons
A Kincorth youngster has got his hands on two very special keepsakes from Aberdeen's historic Scottish Cup triumph – the goalie gloves Dimitar Mitov had on when he saved the pivotal penalty. Dons goalkeeper Mitov was the Dons' Hampden hero, not only denying Celtic's star-man Daizen Maeda late in normal time, but saving TWO of the Hoops' five penalty shoot-out efforts to secure a 4-3 spot-kicks victory for Jimmy Thelin's men. The Bulgarian denied Celtic captain Callum McGregor from 12 yards when he dived to his right, going the same way again to keep out Alistair Johnston and end Aberdeen's 35-year wait to lift the Scottish Cup. Having watched their side end an 11-year silverware drought, the Red Army were in raptures at the national stadium as they celebrated with their team. But 10-year-old AJ Plunkett got a special memento when Mitov came over and gifted him his gloves from the game. The shot-stopper had seen the Kirkhill Primary School pupil's banner dedicated to his top Don and rewarded him for his support. AJ – who was at the cup final with mum Sandie Sim and dad Brian Plunkett – said: 'I made a banner, because he's my hero – it was his face when we beat Ross County 1-0, when he was cheering. 'I was holding it up, and then he just came over, took off his gloves and pointed to me. 'He then gave them to the security guard, and then the security guard passed them to me.' AJ said he never stopped believing Aberdeen would claw back a one-goal deficit in the cup showpiece – with another of his favourite players, wideman Shayden Morris, at the root of the Dons' late equaliser in normal time. He added: 'The players just showed me everything's possible. 'I was nervous for the penalties, but I knew that we were gonna win. 'I was screaming my head off (when Mitov saved Johnston's penalty).' AJ, who saw his heroes again at Sunday's bus parade in the city centre, is a goalkeeper himself with Kincorth Youth Football Club Eagles 2014s. He now plans to get the gloves framed – though he is hoping Reds custodian Mitov can sign them for him first. AJ and his family have been season ticket-holders in Pittodrie's Main Stand since the start of the season. Not previously followers of football, Brian and Sandie started going to watch the Dons with AJ due to his passion for the game. Over the course of the season, they have not only been to home matches, but made multiple away trips as well. They have watched Aberdeen take on Ross County and Dundee United in the Premiership, as well as also going to Hampden for the League Cup semi-final defeat to Celtic and Scottish Cup semi win against Hearts. Sandie said: 'AJ just loves football, so we do it for him. 'I wasn't really a football person until AJ started playing himself. It was the same with his dad. 'Now we're just supporters as well!'
The National
7 days ago
- Sport
- The National
Why Mats Knoester was so happy about Aberdeen keeper's final heroics
Many of them – those of them, that is, who didn't drop to their knees in disbelief at the end of a mentally and physically exhausting encounter with their treble-chasing rivals – rushed over to congratulate the Bulgarian goalkeeper. The bear hug which Mitov received from centre-half Mats Knoester, the Dutch centre-half who had performed brilliantly in front of him for the full 120 minutes and who was subsequently named Man of the Match, was a little bit tighter than the others. 'I was due to take the fifth penalty,' said Knoester with a broad grin as he looked back on Aberdeen's epic 4-2 penalty shootout success. 'I was ready and Demi saved it. I gave him the biggest hug afterwards.' The unexpected triumph may have ended a 35 year wait to lift the Scottish Cup for Aberdeen – but Knoester himself has won major silverware before having helped former club Ferencvaros to be crowned Hungarian champions two years ago. The 26-year-old defender, though, felt that the weekend win was a far greater achievement given what it meant to Aberdeen and their supporters. (Image: Andrew Milligan) 'This one is the best by far, even better than winning a league,' he said. 'Because it means more. At Ferencvaros, you have to win every year. Here you can see it's been so long. There are more emotions. You should just look around you and take it all in. It's a lot to describe. It means a lot. 'For me personally, it's just about having belief in yourself, in your team, in the tactics. And shutting down all the noise around you. Then you prove them wrong. So, it's the best feeling.' Knoester revealed that he was firmly behind manager Jimmy Thelin's surprise decision to switch from a 4-2-3-1 formation to a 3-4-3 set-up and argued that it had ultimately secured the victory. Read more: 'We had previous matches with Celtic of course,' he said. 'They're a good team, they're a really good team. They win a lot of prizes. We knew we had to change our tactic and maybe do something different. This was our plan and it worked out well. So, yeah, I'm very happy with that. 'They scored one goal out of a set-piece, not out of open play, which was a bit s***. You know, you're defending so well and then you get a set-piece. But we said, 'The one thing that can't happen is if they score a goal or we score a goal and we change'. That's happened in the past few games. 'So we said, 'Just stick to the game plan'. Then the longer the game went, it was still 1-0 and we got some good transitions. Then you start to feel, 'Okay, we only need this one half chance'. Then it goes in and then it actually happens. Of course, it has to work out in the end. But we did believe in it, yeah, definitely. 'This was a good team performance. If you put it on paper, you would say Celtic is the better team. But then you need to come up with character and a team sticking together. That's what we did.'
