Jimmy Thelin was proud to put “a smile on the city” after his Aberdeen side defied the odds to defeat treble-chasing Celtic 4-3 on penalties and claim the Scottish Cup for the first time in 35 years.
The Dons arrived at Hampden as huge underdogs but overcame an unfortunate Alfie Dorrington own goal at the end of the first half to equalise in the 83rd minute, after Celtic goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel fumbled a low Shayden Morris cross into his own net to make it 1-1.
With neither side able to find a winner, penalties were required and goalkeeper Dimitar Mitov – who pulled off a huge save from Daizen Maeda in stoppage-time – made himself the hero by saving Celtic’s first and fifth spot-kicks from Callum McGregor and Alistair Johnston respectively.
Thelin looked emotionally drained as he reflected on a triumphant end to his roller coaster first season in charge of the Dons since arriving from Elfsborg last summer.
“What can I say about my feelings?” he said. “I think you hear outside today with our supporters, the face of our supporters, the smile on the city, the players, the staff…all this week we have tried to visualise how we can win this game and create this belief inside the squad and how to compete.
“Celtic is a really good team. Brendan (Rodgers) is a really amazing manager, but the way the players competed out there, how they defended together, they were cramped, they were tired, but they kept believing and I’m so proud.
“I’m happy, relieved, tired and I’m going to enjoy this evening.”
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