THE touching and compassionate moment was missed by most in the midst of the bedlam of a rollicking Scottish Cup semi-final at a pulsating Hampden.
Joe Hart had just swooped to his left to deny Aberdeen’s Killian Phillips to ensure Celtic’s 6-5 triumph in the penalty-kick shoot-out after the rousing 3-3 stalemate following extra-time.
The Hoops players and fans celebrated in unison as the holders sealed a place in the showpiece encounter at the national stadium on the iconic date of May 25.
DELIGHT AND DESPAIR…Joe Hart is congratulated by Cameron Carter-Vickers, Matt O’Riley and Alistair Johnston after his crucial penalty-kick save, but (below) it’s a different story for Aberdeen keeper Kelle Roos as Cup Final ambitions are brought to a sudden end.
Hart, who had missed his team’s fifth attempt from 12 yards with an effort that crashed against the post, looked a little subdued as his colleagues raced in his direction to congratulate the 37-year-old keeper in what is likely to be his seventh last game as a Celtic player before he retires.
The much-decorated Englishman had noticed dejected Dons rival Kelle Roos lying flat-out on the pitch in utter disappointment as his Cup dream died in an instant.
Hart broke away to comfort the Dutchman before joining his team-mates to acknowledge the acclaim of the joyous Celtic support.
The goals from Nicolas Kuhn, James Forrest and Matt O’Riley plus the penalty-kicks are worth a second look courtesy of those good folk at Celtic TV Unique Angle.
They also capture the sporting moment between Hart and Roos to reassure everyone that comradeship still exists between combatants.
