HEARTBROKEN Callum McGregor left the Hampden pitch in tears after suffering his first Cup Final defeat at the 14th hurdle.
The Celtic captain had a 100 per cent record in 13 previous showpiece occasions at the national stadium before Aberdeen derailed Brendan Rodgers’ side after the Scottish Cup penalty-kick shoot-out.
Ironically, McGregor elected to take his team’s first kick and could only look on in horror as his fairly tame effort from 12 yards was blocked by keeper Dimitar Mitov.
MOMENTS FROM HEARTACHE…Callum McGregor strikes his penalty-kick.
DESPAIR…Callum McGregor hides his face after Dimitar Mitov’s save.
Alistair Johnston suffered the same fate with an almost identical effort as the Dons celebrated sticking all four attempts past Kasper Schmeichel with no requirement of a fifth kick as they sealed the silverware 4-3 following a 1-1 encounter at the national stadium.
At the end of game, McGregor, winner of 24 honours at the Hoops, broke down and was consoled by back-up keeper Scott Bain before Brendan Rodgers also stepped in to offer a shoulder.
Celtic’s 31-year-old onfield leader said: “The worst moment I’ve ever had in football.
“It was a real sore one. I just need to go away and try and go over it and come back next year and be stronger.”
McGregor, speaking to BBC Sport, added: “It’s a tough moment, but I’ve had tough moments before.
“This is the toughest one when you take everything into consideration.
