This most bizarre of Aberdeen seasons will culminate in a Scottish Cup final appearance. Given the nature of what has come before, perhaps it would be folly to bet against them lifting the trophy for the first time since 1990. It is just that they made such heavy weather of defeating a Hearts team who played 75 minutes with 10 men and the dying stages of extra time with nine that it felt impossible to ignore the feeling of Celtic’s latest domestic treble drawing closer. In St Johnstone and Aberdeen, Celtic surely have favourable opposition as they aim to retain this cup.
Aberdeen are, however, fully entitled to enjoy their moment. Nobody really remembers or cares how semi-finals are won. It even seemed to intensify the Aberdeen celebrations that the key goal came just two minutes from the end of extra time, with Hearts trying to cling on for penalties. The Palestine international Oday Dabbagh was Aberdeen’s hero. There ended an ugly war of attrition.
Celtic hit four goals in 12 first-half minutes to sweep past St Johnstone and into the Scottish Cup final. The holders wreaked vengeance following defeat in Perth two weeks ago as they won 5-0 to set up a return trip to Hampden to face Aberdeen on 24 May.
With Celtic needing just one point from their last five matches to wrap up the Premiership title, the final is set to give Celtic the chance to seal the first treble of Brendan Rodgers’ second reign, against the same opponents he overcame to clinch his first in 2017. It would be the club’s ninth treble and their sixth in nine seasons.
Captain Callum McGregor started the rout in the 34th minute before setting up Daizen Maeda to net the first of two first-half goals, which came either side of Adam Idah’s tap-in. Substitute Jota rounded off the scoring midway through the second half.
It was one-way traffic from the start as James Forrest caused problems with several crosses and efforts at goal, while McGregor, Arne Engels and Maeda had long-range efforts saved.
Saints manager Simo Valakari would have been happy enough as his side denied Celtic space in behind but they played a part in the opener. Barry Douglas flighted a goal-kick towards Stephen Duke-McKenna inside his own half and Alistair Johnston took advantage of the lack of pace on the ball to intercept.
The right-back fed Reo Hatate who set up McGregor to sidefoot the ball into the corner from 16 yards out for his 10th goal of the season.
The goalscorer drove forward three minutes later and played a pass just inside Sam Curtis for Maeda to slot into the far corner.
The favourites put the game beyond any doubt in the final minute of the half. Liam Scales split the Saints defence and Hatate squared for Idah to tap in, before the Japan midfielder provided another assist for Maeda to fire through a crowded goalmouth and into the bottom corner.
Referee Calum Scott rescinded the award of a Celtic penalty after a VAR review, but substitute Jota (pictured celebrating with a young pitch invader) soon squeezed the ball home inside Andy Fisher’s near post following Johnston’s deep cross to round off the scoring. PA Media
Aberdeen started this season on a 16-game unbeaten run and with wild hopes of challenging for the championship. A dozen matches where Jimmy Thelin’s team failed to win followed. They have steadied since, with a Cup run adding gloss to Thelin’s first season at Pittodrie. On 24 May, he will encounter his first final as a manager.
“The players kept their patience,” said Thelin. “This was a good experience for everyone because we are on a journey together. This means a lot.” There was salvation attached; Celtic trounced Aberdeen 6-0 in the League Cup semi-final at Hampden Park. It is to Thelin’s credit that his demeanour was the same during early season joy and subsequent slump.
Neil Critchley, the Hearts manager, has a damaging habit of falling on the wrong side of fine margins. There was nothing wrong with his team’s spirit or application here. Yet they lack punch. Critchley clearly improved the awful situation he inherited from Steven Naismith in October but there must be genuine questions about whether the former Blackpool manager can elevate Hearts to an appropriate level. They require a manager with deep understanding of their status and expectation within Scotland. Critchley is hugely likeable and easy to root for; the Hearts board, though, have decisions to make. It would be wise to glance towards alternatives.
Critchley used his post-match interviews to castigate the referee, John Beaton, for what he perceived as a lack of “respect”. On Michael Steinwender’s first-half dismissal, Critchley said: “I have never seen a referee pull a red card out quicker. He couldn’t wait to send him off.” While that may be true, the decision was fair. Steinwender had been caught out by Topi Keskinen as Aberdeen’s winger rampaged towards goal.
Hearts had far more of a case over the second booking issued to Cammy Devlin, four minutes before the end of extra time. Their assistant manager, Mike Garrity, was also shown red in the subsequent melee. Critchley claims he asked Beaton why Garrity was sent off, only to be told he could follow. One for the Scottish FA and their supposedly ultra-transparent refereeing department.
What felt like a long time earlier, Aberdeen had taken the lead against the run of play. Pape Guèye headed Leighton Clarkson’s corner off the bar. The ball rebounded off the back of Craig Gordon and into the net. Lawrence Shankland levelled with a low finish after Aberdeen failed to clear a deep James Penrice cross.
Aberdeen’s second-half showing was strangely flat. Clarkson came closest to a winner, his deflected shot bouncing wide of Gordon’s goal. Although Aberdeen were far more dominant in extra time, the Hearts resistance was working until Gordon saved a Jack Milne shot and Dabbagh pounced on the rebound. Hearts thereby endured Scottish Cup semi-final defeat to a non-Old Firm team for the first time since 1995. Aberdeen have the breaking of another record firmly within their sights.
