Aberdeen

I wrote Aberdeen off at Hampden Park on Saturday. Everyone did. But this was history, the year of the underdog.

Even when no-one else really did, the squad believed they would lift the Scottish Cup and that's the key to any success - belief.

Listening to the Pittodrie players post-match, they had that confidence despite their previous, and even recent, results against Celtic, which were 5-1, 5-1, 1-0 and 6-0 in their last four meetings.

This was a statement win and it really feels like a historic day, not just for Aberdeen, but the rest of Scottish football.

To see a team outside the big two do this is an amazing moment.

Read Shaun Maloney's column in full here.

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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When Aberdeen last won the Scottish Cup in 1990, I was on a bus embarking on a school trip to Germany, listening to it all unfold on my pocket radio.

So being at the celebrations really hammered home how long – too long – it has been since the club last won this trophy, and what it means to the city.

The Dons fans lined the streets in their thousands - well into the tens of thousands, in fact - as the open-topped bus weaved its way through the city centre.

They were in fine voice too, with 'Shinnie, he is one of our own' and the now trademark 'Shady Mo' song being among the choruses belted out as the bus crawled through the throng which filled the granite streets.

Prior to the final, there was a mood of trepidation, and very little expectation among the Red Army.

What a difference a day can make – this was a scene of jubilation and celebration.

It was a fitting reception for the Aberdeen players and staff, who now have their names etched in to the club's history books.

As they took it in turns to hold the trophy aloft from the balcony at the Town House at the Castlegate end of Union Street, each lift was greeted with delirious joy.

Of course, the challenge will be to build on this success.

But this was about savouring the moment, one which saw a city and its football team united as one.

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So Aberdeen have triumphed in a gripping Scottish Cup final and Celtic are left to rue missing out on a treble. But who stood out and who faded away at Hampden?

BBC Sport Scotland's Tyrone Smith rates how the players performed, and you can see how the audience rated them at the bottom of the page too.

Read the player ratings in full here.

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Here's how BBC Scotland's cast of pundits reacted to the Dons' cup final win:

Aberdeen legend Willie Miller: "It's brilliant goalkeeping isn't it, from him. He's got a huge stretch, Mitov. He's a tall figure and if he guesses the right way and you're hitting it low then it's going to be really difficult for that to end in the back of the net.

"The penalty kicks from Aberdeen were quite sensational. Three of them were out of this world. The doubters were all out there. I tell you what, what a magnificent afternoon for my old club.

"Fantastic for the club, fantastic for Jimmy Thelin, fantastic for Dave Cormack and wonderful for these fans that are down here celebrating. This is something special, 35 years in the making. It's quite incredible.

"The underdogs, the total underdogs. Nobody including their dogs gave Aberdeen a chance of lifting this trophy, maybe apart from me, and they've done it."

Former Celtic goalkeeper Pat Bonner: "Well, well, well. What a good save, although it wasn't the best penalty to finish.

"You could see the nerves, you could see the pressure on Alistair Johnston. Dimitar Mitov comes up with the two big saves in the game.

"Brilliant penalties. You probably wouldn't expect Aberdeen to hit them so well. The last penalty was a really tired penalty. Callum McGregor's was well struck but it was a good height for the goalkeeper.

"Aberdeen deserved it from the point of view that of the way that they changed their structure, changed the way they were going to play. They defended their box well when they had to do it. They got their goal and then they hung in there.

"Celtic had the big chance with Maeda going through. That was the big one and they had the shots off the post and off the crossbar. They had the better chances, Celtic - probably - more control of the game but it just didn't click for them today."

Former Scotland forward James McFadden: "Not many people gave Aberdeen any hope of winning this cup today. But when it comes to a cup final, you just never know.

"It is a time for heroes - Mitov is the hero this afternoon. But it was a monumental effort from Aberdeen as a squad to get over the line.

"It's been such a long time coming. What a season they've had - up and down, and what an end."

Scotland captain Rachel Corsie: "Just listening to Mitov, the credit he gives to the manager. Players don't say that lightly.

"He pays a lot of testament to the fact players trusted him. He did something different today and it worked.

"The last few times they've played Celtic, they've been out of it by half time. He knew that wasn't an option today, they couldn't put themselves in that position."

Former Scotland and Celtic captain Scott Brown: "Form goes out the window in a cup final. We've all been disappointed after a cup final, it's how Celtic bounce back.

"Winning trebles isn't easy. Aberdeen needed a bit of luck, but their defensive unit was really good throughout the game and the manager got the tactics spot on.

"It wasn't pretty over the 120 minutes, but there's no pictures on the cup at the end of the day."

Former Scotland international Leanne Crichton: "It really is unbelievable stuff. Look at the fans, the players, they didn't know how to react.

"That's the beauty of football, that's what makes it so incredible on an afternoon like this."

We asked for your views on Aberdeen's Scottish Cup final victory over Celtic.

Here's what some of you said:

Ross: Aberdeen won the only way they could have and executed the plan almost perfectly. Celtic looked nervy after conceding the equaliser and found us tough to break down. Have we found a template for some success in Europe next season?

Craig: An utterly bonkers season that had a great start, a dire middle and a fairytale ending. Absolutely delighted for everyone at the club and especially for Jimmy Thelin after a lot of doubt from most people. In a single afternoon, the future suddenly seems rather bright for Aberdeen. A trophy in the cabinet and European football guaranteed until the end of the year.

Angus: YAAAAAAAAAAS.

James: Yaaaassssss.

Julie: The most nerve-wracking game I have watched this season. Where has this team been hiding? The fight was there, well done Aberdeen.

William: Terrific result, probably due that performance after the early part of the season when we played like that every week. Delighted.

Niall: Dimitar Mitov, the hero amongst a host of heroes. Thelin's tactics finally paid off as the Dons thwarted a top-quality Celtic side. The Aberdeen penalties were top drawer, and this result will be huge for the Club tactically and financially. Just a seismic result against the club that we've struggled against for years. Huge congrats to all the players, coaching staff and everyone connected to this top club.

Dave: Game plan worked to perfection. Everyone wanted Thelin to change, but didn't think he would. Absolutely buzzing, fantastic day!

Douglas: Grew into the game. Celtic were complacent, barely celebrated their goal, and seemed to expect a stroll. Dons wanted it more by the end. Shinnie & Milne towering. Brings real belief back to the club.

Alison: Wow, what a day, what a win for the Dons. Everyone wrote us off, but we Dons fans had a belief that we could win. Everyone played their part today, but Mitov, take a bow. So pleased that we have proved a lot of people wrong.

Jen: We went in as underdogs, Celtic had possession most of the game, but we defended really well. It rattled Celtic, the penalty shootout was immaculate, the fans dared to dream, and it paid off.

Les: I was worried that Thelin was too idealistic and unwilling to do what was needed to win a game. This disproved that completely. We largely cancelled Celtic out, changed the game late on and had the strength and courage to see it through. Massive for next season too with European qualification. Well done lads.

Richard: Every single player was fantastic. Major credit to all. Jimmy Thelin is the real deal!

Ian: Amazing victory, the boys deserved it, and I hope this will be the start of some good times for this great club, come on you Reds!

Andy: Unreal, unbelievable. What a day. It was written in the stars. Every player in red did their bit and worked their socks off. Mitov does what he does best, and the nerveless penalties, wow. Memories to cherish for the rest of my life.

Andrew: An unbelievable, historic day. This means so much to the fans, the city. Jimmy Thelin's tactical changes tilted a game yet again - and for the ultimate reward. Core memory locked in!

Gregor: I wore the scarf I had from 1970, flew from Canada, and was told we had no chance. Our fans and team were magnificent. The changed formation worked. Another dream day.

Aberdeen earned a sensational first Scottish Cup victory in 35 years as Dimitar Mitov's penalty shootout saves from Callum McGregor and Alistair Johnston ensured they came from behind at Hampden to deny Celtic a treble.

Dons fans, we want your views after your side's historic triumph.

Your moment of that day? Just how good were those penalties? Who was the best player in a red shirt?

Tell us your thoughts here.

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Midfielder Dante Polvara: "I've been here four seasons, we've went through a lot.

"The whole time I've been here, I've just wanted to give the fans something. Honestly, I never would've imagined."

Midfielder Leighton Clarkson: "Absolutely incredible. No-one believed in us.

"We always had that hope, that bit of faith that we could come here and do it. We did the plan to a T. We came into this game believing and we've done it. Everyone was unbelievable. I'm so happy."

Defender Jack Milne: "This is the best feeling I've had in my life.

"We had the belief. All of us knew we were capable of coming here and getting this result. It's amazing. It's a dream come true."

Goalkeeper Dimitar Mitov: "[I thought] just be the hero.

"Penalties is the opportunity to help your team. I'm super happy I managed to do that. Now it's time to party and celebrate.

"We have a short break and then it's onto next season."

Martin Dowden
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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The Aberdeen support travelled in hope rather than anticipation. Hope of a glorious win. If not, then hope of respectability.

They more than earned the latter and then this incredible win. This is seismic for the Pittodrie club. No-one gave them a hope.

To take this all the way to penalties seemed fanciful. They stood up to their critics on the biggest stage and delivered.

A Scottish Cup win, all of a sudden, seemed within their grasp after they levelled and what a fight they put up after being roundly written off.

On the morning of the match, the club's most successful ever manager, Sir Alex Ferguson, delivered a message to the squad, to try and raise the Aberdeen of old who came to Glasgow and conquered.

Thelin's side initially focussed on trying not to concede. Stay in the game and frustrate and see what happens from there.

What happened will live long in those Aberdeen supporters' memories.

Read the full match report here.