Celtic secured their place in the 2024 Scottish Cup final with a dramatic penalty shootout victory over Aberdeen on Saturday
as 120 minutes, the game was tied 3-3 as the Dons scored twice to send it to extra time and then to a shootout.
The Hoops converted their first four penalty kicks, and Ryan Duncan’s miss ensured they could win with their fifth.
Joe Hart stepped up, and despite having practised in the days coming up to the game, he was only able to find the post.
As he prepared to take his penalty, centre-back Cameron Carter-Vickers stated that Hart scoring would result in a storybook ending.
Alistair Johnston, the American’s defensive counterpart, thought he had jinxed it when the Englishman missed.
He said: [Glasgow Times] “There was relief when Joe saved [Killian Phillips].” He had the chance to win, and huge Carter-Vickers said, ‘This is going to be a fairytale for Joe’. I said, ‘You can’t say it out loud; you’ve jinxed it. Then he struck the post.
“I knew I was going to take the sixth penalty, and I was next. Cheers, mate.
“When he saved the last one, it was a relief. Joe excels at those. “He’s in top form.”
Hart performed admirably as a goalkeeper during the shootout. He made a critical stop when it counted, and although missing from 12 yards, he quickly made up for it.
The victory brings an end to the 37-year-old’s spectacular career, as the Bhoys now meet Rangers in the final at the end of next month.
