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North Wales Chronicle
26-05-2025
- Sport
- North Wales Chronicle
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. Defeat at Hampden.#CELABE | #ScottishCup | #CelticFC🍀 — Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) May 24, 2025 '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 winning moment. #ScottishCup | @AberdeenFC — Scottish Gas Scottish Cup (@ScottishCup) May 24, 2025 '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. 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.'
Rhyl Journal
25-05-2025
- Sport
- Rhyl Journal
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. Defeat at Hampden.#CELABE | #ScottishCup | #CelticFC🍀 — Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) May 24, 2025 '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 winning moment. #ScottishCup | @AberdeenFC — Scottish Gas Scottish Cup (@ScottishCup) May 24, 2025 '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. 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.'
The 42
25-05-2025
- Sport
- The 42
Liam Scales insists Celtic will come back stronger after treble bid fails
LIAM SCALES INSISTS Celtic will return stronger next season after their Scottish Gas Scottish Cup final defeat to Aberdeen on penalties ended dreams of a domestic treble. 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. Advertisement '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. 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.'
STV News
25-05-2025
- Sport
- STV News
Liam Scales: Celtic to return stronger next term after treble bid fails
Liam Scales insists Celtic will return stronger next season after their Scottish Gas Scottish Cup final defeat to Aberdeen on penalties ended dreams of a domestic treble. 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. 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.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
