KASPER SCHMEICHEL surprised his Danish countryman Alexander Jensen when he blundered to gift Aberdeen a late equaliser in the Scottish Cup Final.
The Dons defender admitted “you don’t often see that from him” as the legendary international keeper’s howler in the 83rd-minute threw the Pittodrie club an unexpected lifeline.
And Jimmy Thelin’s side capitalised to the max when they went on to claim the silverware 4-3 on penalty-kicks.
HAMPDEN TEARS…Kasper Schmeichel consoles crestfallen captain Callum McGregor as Paulo Bernardo and Arne Engels look on, both stunned at the climax of an unexpected Scottish Cup Final outcome.
Callum McGregor and Alistair Johnston saw their fairly tame spot-kicks saved by Dimitar Mitov while Schmeichel was left helpless by the quartet stuck behind him that ended the Hoops’ hopes of a sixth treble in nine years.
Jensen may have been taken aback by the Celtic No.1’s efforts to save a low right-wing drive from Shayden Morris that Schmeichel deflected into the net, but he was confident his opposite number would rise to the occasion in the Hampden shoot-out.
Reflecting on the pivotal moment that changed the course of history, the right-back said: “Actually, I didn’t notice what had happened at the time.
“I thought it had been hit in by a defender. It’s not often you see that from him.
THAT SINKING FEELING…Callum McGregor reacts after Dimitar Mitov saves his penalty-kick.
“Dimitar Mitov was unbelievable throughout the game. We had a feeling when they missed that chance at the end [Daizen Maeda denied in stoppage-time] that it could be our day.
“And it turned out that way which was fantastic.”
Jensen, speaking to The Herald, added: “We practiced penalties on Friday. I was down as number six.
“I knew with our goalkeeper that we had a good chance. I’d seen Kasper saving penalties for the national team, so I knew he was good.
“But I knew we had an even better goalkeeper.”
