LOSING the Scottish Gas Scottish Cup final to Aberdeen on penalties may not, with the memory of the penalty shootout defeat on Saturday still so fresh in the memory, seem like much of a positive for anyone of a Celtic persuasion at the present moment in time.
How can failing to perform at your very best on such an important occasion, surrendering a lead with seven minutes of regulation time remaining, being unable to convert two of your spot kicks and squandering a chance to complete a world record ninth domestic treble possibly be viewed as a good thing?
The Pittodrie club’s epic triumph at Hampden at the weekend could, though, be hugely beneficial for their Parkhead rivals as well as the game in this country as a whole and the new champions going forward.
Saturday’s final was a poor advertisement for Scottish football for 80 minutes or so. The lack of quality football on display and dearth of decent scoring chances created by both teams up front were slightly depressing. It was, not to put too fine a point on it, dire fare.
After that, however, it suddenly became exhilarating, compelling, dramatic and, ultimately for the victors, euphoric. The scenes in the red half of the stadium after Dimitar Mitov had saved Alistair Johnston’s spot kick were something to behold. Ending a 35 year wait to lift a trophy was always going to be emotional and so it proved.
Read more:
-
How 'man with a plan' Jimmy Thelin became a Celtic treble buster and an Aberdeen icon
-
Graeme Shinnie on becoming first man ever to captain two Scottish Cup winning teams
-
Aberdeen can land a blow for Scottish game at Hampden - by ending Celtic's dominance
The good denizens of the Granite City have a reputation for being miserly and miserable. But grown men hugged each other openly and tears of joy were shed. The party continued long into the night and well into yesterday when Graeme Shinnie and his team mates enjoyed an open-topped bus victory parade down Union Street.
What will this momentous result do for Aberdeen going forward? It is sure to propel them to a higher level. For a start, they are, courtesy of the Europa League play-off spot they secured, guaranteed European league phase football next season. But landing a first piece of silverware since 2014 has generated a feelgood factor they can tap in to too.
There will be enormous goodwill towards Jimmy Thelin and his players when the new campaign gets underway in August. There will doubtless be incomings and outgoings before then and the chances are the Swede will have a far stronger squad at his disposal. They have good reason to be optimistic.
Thelin, who was brought in from Elfsborg in his homeland last year following a painstaking global search for a new manager, will have his confidence boosted greatly by the performance and triumph. He made the brave decision to switch from a 4-2-3-1 formation to a 3-4-3 set-up last week and it worked wonders for him.
He has shown glimpses of what he is capable of and why chairman Dave Cormack so keen to bring him in during his first 12 months in this country. What will he achieve now he has a better understanding of the football landscape here? It is a tantalising prospect for Dons supporters. Could they become the third force in the land under his guidance? There is no reason why not.
Aberdeen showed that provincial clubs can still, despite the vast financial gulf which has opened up between the Glasgow giants and their top flight rivals during the modern era, challenge for major honours. Their success will give others hope that they can reap rewards if they get their act together on and off the park.
Celtic have deserved to win all of their titles, trophies and trebles in the past couple of decades. But their dominance has, for the neutral observer at least, become a little bit dull. The weekend’s events were, then, welcomed by those who care about the overall health and public image of Scottish football.
Even the losing finalists will profit from the setback in the long run. The reverse they suffered in Mount Florida highlighted they lack strength in depth and need to add more quality during the close season. Goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel threw in the equaliser, Reo Hatate was badly missed in the middle of the park, Nicolas Kuhn, Arne Engels and Adam Idah were completely ineffectual and Yang Hyun-jun failed to make an impact.
Greg Taylor, who moved from left-back into midfield, was their best player by a distance and he now looks, after declining to put pen to paper on the contract extension which he has been offered, set to depart.
Read more:
-
Jimmy Thelin blown away by sea of red as Aberdeen fans toast Scottish Cup win
-
Scottish football is a victim of Broken Britain - MSPs need to act not just our clubs
-
Stuart Kettlewell set for Kilmarnock job after at least seven were interviewed
There should by no means be an overreaction to the defeat, the first that Brendan Rodgers has ever suffered at Hampden. As their manager was at pains to point out during his post-match interview, they have still lifted two trophies this term. It just looked like a game too far for his flat charges. It was their 57th competitive outing since August,
There will, though, certainly be a reaction to the disappointment. It was a timely reminder they have to do more than just turn up to prevail. There will be a renewed determination among Callum McGregor and his team mates when the 2025/26 campaign gets underway. They will know they have to give a far better account of themselves to qualify for the Champions League league phase and repel the challenge of Rangers, who may have new owners and a renewed vigour.
There was much mirth and merriment on social media on Saturday evening – among supporters of every other Scottish club that is – when photos and videos of the giant stage which had been erected outside Parkhead in preparation for the team’s triumphant return being dismantled were posted online.
Failing to win three consecutive derby matches this year, despite their comfortable fourth consecutive league win, has led to rumblings of discontent among their followers. Losing the final will increase the disaffection in the stands.
Much was made of the fact that Rodgers had to pitch young Johnny Kenny into the fray late on because he was the only specialist striker available to him. That does the talented young Irishman, who buried his penalty in the shootout despite the pressure which was on his shoulders, a bit of a disservice. Still, a club with aspirations to compete at the highest level in Europe should perhaps have greater firepower. Money, of which they have plenty, will need to be spent. Complacency will be fatal.
