Jimmy Thelin said everyone around Aberdeen has played a part in creating the belief that they could defeat Celtic and lift the Scottish Cup against the odds.
Thelin’s side came out on top in a dramatic penalty shootout at Hampden to win the trophy for the first time since 1990, and end Celtic’s treble hopes and stranglehold on domestic silverware.
After a season where Aberdeen had been outplayed several times by Brendan Rodgers’ Celtic, few neutrals were tipping the Dons to win the Scottish Cup but a determined and disciplined performance saw the team bounce back from a goal down before holding their nerve in the shootout.
Goalkeeper Dimitar Mitov saved two penalties, and when he denied Alistair Johnston to seal the cup victory, a wave of emotion poured through the jubilant Aberdeen support.
Dons manager Thelin shared their joy and praised his team for delivering a special moment.
“What can I say about these feelings?” he said after the final whistle. “I think you can hear our supporters and saw their faces, and our players.
“All this week we’ve been trying to visualise how we can win this game and create the belief inside the squad.
“How they competed, when Celtic is a really good team and Brendan an amazing manager, but the way our team competed out there, when they were cramped and tired and they keep believing.
“I’m so proud. They used the energy of all our supporters who travelled down here today.
“They tried to take the extra strength from each other and they were so strong in the penalties.
“What can I say? I’m happy, relieved and tired and I’m going to enjoy this feeling.”
Thelin revealed that he had kept a positive message in the build-up to the game but had found his own energy matched by others around the club and by the fans, creating a confidence that the team could enjoy their day at the national stadium and achieve their ambitions.
“I think you have to be allowed to dream big,” he said. “That’s important because we put our own goals to qualify for Europe and to be in two semi-finals, but when you’re in the final, it’s a different scenario.
“It’s just that game.
“If you can stay in the game today and keep it alive, then a chance or opportunity will always come in some way in the game.
“It’s easy to say now after winning it but the first objective was to arrive in the final and then anything can happen.
“That’s the atmosphere we tried to create this week. Even the people around the club and the supporters are creating this belief inside.
“Everybody contributed through this week to today.
“The fans have travelled the whole season and it’s so nice to end the season in this way.
“I’m so happy that we can celebrate now.”
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