Callum McGregor has said missing his penalty in the Scottish Cup final shootout against Aberdeen was the worst moment of his career. Celtic lost 4–3 on penalties at Hampden after a 1-1 draw, ending hopes of a domestic treble.
McGregor’s spot-kick was saved by Aberdeen goalkeeper Dimitar Mitov. Alistair Johnston also saw his penalty saved. Aberdeen won the shootout and lifted the cup for the first time since 1990.
Speaking after the match, McGregor was emotional and had to be comforted by Brendan Rodgers and his teammates. The captain admitted the loss was tough to take.
He said: (PLZ Soccer), “It’s probably the worst moment I’ve ever had on a football pitch. It was a real slow one. We didn’t do enough in the game to deserve it, and when it goes to penalties, it’s a bit of a walk away. This time, it came back to bite us.
“I just need to go away, process it, and come back stronger next year. It’s been an amazing season, but we didn’t do enough to cap it off.
“The manager was consoling me at full-time — it’s just so raw right now. But there’ll be learning in it. Sometimes you need a bit of adversity to grow. We’re so used to winning that maybe we forgot what it feels like to really earn it. The group can learn from this and be better for it.
“Like I said, it’s probably the worst moment I’ve had on the football pitch.”
McGregor’s post-match interview showed the pain of the defeat, but also his determination to come back stronger next season. He is a winner, and this afternoon was a rare moment where he wasn’t when it mattered most
The disappointment will sting through the summer, but it also lays the groundwork for a response. This team has the quality and character to turn heartbreak into fuel—and McGregor will be leading that charge next season in what will no doubt be a warning to the rest of Scottish football, with the Celtic skipper desperate to put things right.
