Celtic missed out on the chance to secure a historic Treble on Saturday.
Despite everything, including form and recent results, being in favour of Celtic, they were hit with a fired-up and resilient Aberdeen team that went on to win the Scottish Cup after an enthralling penalty shootout.
This isn’t the norm for the champions of Scotland, not just the team as a whole, but Brendan Rodgers himself has made such dominance look easy.
Remember, this was only Rodgers’ first defeat in the Scottish Cup over his two spells as Celtic manager, which is pretty remarkable.
Two men who know everything about lifting the Scottish Cup for Celtic and Aberdeen are Pat Bonner and Willie Miller.
- READ MORE: ‘Hurtful’ – Callum McGregor explains Celtic players’ actions during Aberdeen’s trophy lift
Pat Bonner remains classy after Aberdeen’s shock Scottish Cup final win over Celtic
Celtic are used to winning trophies, so in such moments, it is important to remain classy and give the opponents their due rewards.
That was the case with Bonner, who told Dons legend Miller that ‘I must shake his hand’ following the conclusion of the weekend’s game.
Bonner told BBC Radio Scotland that the Bhoys had their chances in the game, but Jimmy Thelin should be applauded for changing things up.
“Aberdeen deserved it, from the point of view that they changed their structure,” said Bonner. “Changed the way that they were going to play. We talked about that tactical adaptability. He (Thelin) did it.
“They defended their box well, when they had to do it, yes, there wasn’t a lot, from an attacking point of view, in the game. They got their goal, and then they hung in there.
“Celtic had the big chance with Maeda going through. That was the big one. The shots off the post and the crossbar. They had the better chances, Celtic. More control of the game, but it just didn’t click for them. Just didn’t click for them.
“Willie (Miller), you won a cup. You absolutely deserve it. Willie was kidding me on, the day before the game, he told me that they had to leave early on Sunday morning, so they could get up for the open-top bus parade.”
Miller responded: “I wasn’t kidding you on,” before Bonner added: “And it has come true for you, Willie.”
Bonner then continued: “It’s Aberdeen’s day. (Celtic) will do it with humility (clapping Aberdeen after the game). That’s how it should be done, and that’s how it should be.
“I must shake his hand. I didn’t get a chance because he is so busy throwing the mic around. I do have to pass it on to him. He beat me in Golf, which isn’t good, but savour it, Willie, because we will be back next year.”
How many trophies have Celtic won since 2000?
You can’t win them all. Celtic are making the ridiculously difficult look easy, and that should never be the case in Scottish football.
The crazy thing about this all is that, despite Rodgers winning another double, it probably does give everyone inside the club a kick up the backside for next season.
And sometimes, you just need to find that spark again, especially when you are just winning all the time.
- Celtic’s trophies since 2000/01 – 42
- Rangers’- 18
- St Johnstone – 2
- Hearts – 2
- Hibernian – 2
- Aberdeen – 2
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