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.
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. Papa Guèye headed Leighton Clarkson’s corner off the crossbar. The ball rebounded off the back of Craig Gordon and into the net. Lawrence Shankland restored parity with a low finish after Aberdeen failed to clear a deep James Penrice cross.
after newsletter promotion
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.
Source: theguardian.com
