ABERDEEN overcame nine-man Hearts 2-1 in extra-time to book their place in the Scottish Cup Final on Saturday May 24.
Holders Celtic face St Johnstone in the other last-four encounter tomorrow afternoon as they bid to face the Dons at Hampden in an encounter where they could seal a world record third domestic clean sweep.
Jimmy Thelin’s side left it late to see off the Tynecastle outfit and it was substitute Oday Dabbagh who gave them a place in the grand finale as the clock ticked down and it looked as though penalty-kicks would be required to find a winner.
Keeper Craig Gordon was unlucky to see a rebound go straight to the Palestinian striker who drove the ball into the net from four yards.
GLOVE AFFAIR…Aberdeen keeper Dimitar Mitov offers his condolences to his Hearts opposite number Craig Gordon following the dramatic extra-time conclusion.
It was an unfortunate day for the Celtic Invincible who was credited with the first goal in the 18th minute after a header from Pape Gueye clattered off the crossbar and the ball ricocheted against the grounded shotstopper before crossing the line.
Lawrence Shankland thumped in the equaliser 10 minutes later before his team-mate Michael Steinwerner was dismissed for a reckless challenge just before the interval.
Gordon made two outstanding saves to keep the Edinburgh side in the tie, but their task was made even more difficult when Cammy Devlin was sent off after picking up a second yellow card.
The Pittodrie club grabbed the winner after the 42-year-old Scotland international netminder had got down swiftly to his right to parry a goalbound effort, but Dabbagh snapped onto the loose ball to fire in from close range.
Now all eyes are on the national stadium tomorrow when Brendan Rodgers’ men go into action against a relegation-threatened Perth side who fired a warning by beating the champions at McDiarmid Park a fortnight ago.
The last time the Dons were in the Scottish Cup Final was in May 2017 when they lost 2-1 to the Hoops with Tom Rogic scoring the memorable late winner.
