Aberdeen FC - Against All Odds, 2025 Scottish Cup Winners

Unbelievable. Wonderful.

Going into this game, no one gave Aberdeen FC a chance of winning. The result was already decided, Celtic were going to win the treble and Brendan Rogers was going to beat Jock Stein's record of trebles. Having inflicted heavy defeats on Aberdeen in recent past games, and with Aberdeen losing their previous four games (including a 5-1 walk-over from Celtic), no one outside the Aberdeen fraternity gave them a chance.

And I have to say, throughout the entirety of the game, it looked like everyone else was right. Celtic passed, and passed, and passed and passed. Aberdeen blocked, and blocked, and blocked and blocked.

And then the Gods intervened. Someone up there said "I've had enough of this" and Schmeichel let slip a rather unexpectedly early cross come shot from Morris.

Even then, though back in the game, just about every Aberdeen fan must have thought it was only a matter of time until Celtic took charge again.

But the Dons dug in, refusing to take defeat lying down. In fact they nearly won it at the end of normal full-time with a shot that flew over the bar.

Then came extra time, the last few minutes of which were agonising as Celtic poured on the pressure.

Next penalties, the Aberdeen fans began to wonder, "Could the Dons actually do it? Are they capable of taking good penalties?"

The answer came fast. Four Aberdeen players took the greatest penalties of their lives, and Celtic crumbled under the pressure.

This, for me, was the second greatest triumph for Aberdeen in living memory.

Only victory in Gothenburg can eclipse this success, but that was a long time ago with a team put together by the renowned Alex Ferguson.

Here was a team of names most people in Scottish football knew little about. A team managed by a wily manager who remained cool under pressure, used his substitutions wisely to ensure the team stayed energetic throughout, and who convinced his players they WERE going to win it. No talk of "what if we win it".

Undoubtedly Aberdeen rode their luck at times, but what grit and determination.

It was 1970 again, and probably an even greater accomplishment than that.

Hats off to the Aberdeen fans who created a fearsome sea of red and constant backing of their team from the terraces.

I doubt I shall ever see another game like it, but this game will live in my memory for as long as I have breath in my body.

Thank you Aberdeen FC.

Starting Team: Mitov, Knoester, Milne, Dorrington, Devlin, Jensen, Clarkson, Shinnie, Palaversa, Nisbet, Keskinen

Subs used: Tobers, Morris, MacKenzie, Polvara, Dabbagh, Gueye

Subs not used: Boyd, Doohan

Final score: 1-1 (Aberdeen won 4-3 on penalties, Aberdeen's 5th penalty not required)

Hampden Sea of Red

Bus parade down Union Street

Team on bus

Fans gathering at Townhouse