Close. So close for the Dons, but there was to be no magical Scottish Cup final win as Tom Rogic’s added-time winner gave Celtic victory and the treble completed after an unbeaten domestic season.
The Dons and their supporters were shattered after a Hampden classic, but there should be so much pride mixed with the disappointment.
The men in red gave their all in fantastic game, but tired legs could not hold out as late pressure from Brendan Rodgers’ side finally paid off to leave the Dons feeling the pain of defeat in the cruellest fashion.
It was a superb effort from Derek McInnes’ side and his players deserved to take the game to extra-time at least, such was their astounding contribution.
McInnes said he needed a perfect performance from his players. They came mighty close to giving him it in a game where Aberdeen were bold in selection and approach.
In the club’s biggest game of the season the Dons manager’s decision to leave leading-scorer Adam Rooney on the bench was a huge decision.
His place was taken by Jayden Stockley, back from suspension for the big game.
The young Englishman lacks the goals of Rooney, but his presence unsettled Celtic at Pittodrie earlier this month and McInnes clearly was convinced the forward could do it again when it mattered most.
He was certainly involved in some big incidents, that’s for sure.
It was his glancing header which set Jonny Hayes scampering down the right for the corner which led to a dream start for the Dons with Niall McGinn’s set-piece delivery finding Hayes free of his marker Leigh Griffiths and he volleyed ball on the run past Craig Gordon. It was a goal straight from the training ground and one executed to perfection.
For the first time this season it was an opening goal for Aberdeen against the Hoops and a clear indication the Dons were ready to make their presence felt.
How frustrating then the lead lasted less than two minutes.
Stuart Armstrong got the equaliser with a fine dipping shot from the edge of the box, but it was the pace and movement of Callum McGregor which created the goal as the midfielder drove forward to commit defenders, creating the space for Armstrong to score the equaliser.
A perfect and timely response for the league champions and a test of Aberdeen’s resolve.
McInnes’ men were not for folding. Not this time and when Hoops defender Kieran Tierney was forced off with the blood flowing following a collision with Stockley’s elbow, the five-minute delay unsettled Celtic.
There will be much debate about whether Stockley, who has been sent off three times this season for illegal use of his elbows, caught Tierney deliberately.
He turned quickly as Tierney was approaching his back, but referee Bobby Madden, despite the protests of Scott Brown, Mikael Lustig and Leigh Griffiths, deemed the collision accidental.
The right decision.
The break let the Dons regroup and they stormed back with McGinn and Ryan Jack, in his 250th and final appearance for the club, having shots parried by Gordon before Stockley’s header from another McGinn corner was blocked on the line by the Celtic goalkeeper.
The frustration among the Hoops players, especially captain Brown, was evident.
It had been a long time since the Celtic midfielder had been nullified as he was in the opening 45 minutes.
For all the Dons’ pressure, however, they were fortunate not to go into the interval trailing after Griffiths’ cross was blasted over the crossbar from six yards by Scott Sinclair.
It was a gilt-edged chance.
Celtic were much better in the second half but Aberdeen were undeterred and continued to push forward.
Play raged from end to end and it took the efforts of both goalkeepers to keep it level going into the closing stages.
Lewis made four fine blocks to deny Armstrong, Griffiths and Sinclair before saving his best for last when he tipped Patrick Roberts’ shot on to his right post.
Gordon made a great save to keep out a piledriver from Graeme Shinnie while Kenny McLean missed his side’s best chance when he let Hayes’ cross squirm through his legs after a brilliant break from the Irishman ripped the Celtic defence to shreds.
What might have been.
The tension was unbearable and Aberdeen, backed by a raucous support, dared to dream of a mighty upset, but Celtic found an extra gear in the final 15 minutes.
Following severe pressure, and with the Dons retreating, substitute Rogic ran on to Gordon’s long ball before finding space to score in off Lewis’ left post.
A hammer blow.
Despite the late goal the Dons still had one last hurrah and a Hail Mary pass into the box ended with Ash Taylor heading the ball down into a congested penalty area for the onrushing Rooney who just failed to connect.
With that went Aberdeen’s hopes of forcing extra-time in an absorbing encounter.
It was so entertaining we could easily have watched another half an hour.
Glory for Celtic but no shame for Aberdeen.
This was their best performance of the season, but sometimes destiny has a way of writing its own story.