Callum McGregor cut a forlorn figure after Celtic’s penalty shoot-out defeat to Aberdeen in the Scottish Cup.
The Celtic captain missed the Hoops’ first spot kick to start the penalty drama in the worst possible way.
As Aberdeen tucked away their penalties with ease, Alistair Johnston compounded Celtic’s miserable day as his 12-yard free hit was saved by Dimitar Mitov as the Pittodrie club lifted the Scottish Cup for the first time in 35 years.
Even though the defeat was a painful one for McGregor, the Celtic captain fronted up to the media and made a brilliant pledge to the Parkhead support for next season.
- READ MORE: Chris Sutton sums up Celtic’s season perfectly despite Scottish Cup heartache vs Aberdeen
Scottish Cup defeat vs Aberdeen ‘the worst’ for Celtic captain Callum McGregor
Up until yesterday, Callum McGregor had never lost a Hampden final at any level as a Celtic player so this defeat will be a particularly sore one for the 31-year-old.
However, the Hoops legend is taking it on the chin as he shares how hard his first major final defeat as the Celtic captain really feels.
McGregor told The Scottish Sun, “That’s the worst, I’ll just need to try and get away and get over it and come back next year and be stronger.
“We didn’t do enough in the game to deserve it. And when it gets to penalties anything can happen.
“In the past we’ve come out on the right side of it but today we didn’t. It’s a real sore way to finish the season.
“Up to this point it’s been an amazing season. We just didn’t do enough today to cap it off.
“It’s a tough moment, I’ve had tough moments before. Probably this is the toughest one when you take everything into consideration.”
Callum McGregor’s pledge to show ‘steel’ after Celtic’s Scottish Cup pain
McGregor has 24 winners’ medals to his name and is level with Lisbon Lion Bobby Lennox on total number of major honours won for Celtic.
However, despite missing the chance to become Celtic’s second most-decorated player of all time, McGregor has vowed to use the Scottish Cup disappointment to come back stronger for next season.
McGregor continued, “Listen, I’ve bounced back from difficult positions before and it will take me a while to get over it.
“But once the new season starts, that’s up to me to show everyone I’ve got a bit of steel. We’re so used to winning that when you don’t you feel it 10 times more. You really feel it more.
“It’s probably the worst moment I’ve had on the football pitch. And for sure there will be learning in that.
“It’s just so raw at the minute. For sure, the group can learn from it, can be better from it.
“Sometimes you have to go through a bit of adversity to grow and get better.”
With another double-winning season under his belt and progress in the Champions League achieved, McGregor and his Celtic teammates can be proud of what they have achieved this year.
Brendan Rodgers plans to strengthen Celtic in the summer and if the Hoops boss can add more quality to this team, more domestic success will be on the horizon.
As for this summer, Celtic fans will take their medicine because, just like McGregor, they have not known many defeats in Hampden finals over the years.
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