How Alistair Johnston Thought CCV Had “Jinxed” Celtic’s Penalty Shootout

Celtic booked their place in the 2024 Scottish Cup final thanks to a dramatic penalty shootout victory over Aberdeen on Saturday.

After 120 minutes, things were level at 3-3 after the Dons came back twice to take the Game firstly to extra-time, then to a shootout.

The Hoops scored their first four spot-kicks and Ryan Duncan’s miss meant they could win it with their fifth.

Joe Hart stepped up and although he had been practising in the days leading up to the Game, he could only find the post.

As he prepared to take his penalty, centre-half Cameron Carter-Vickers said that Hart scoring would give him a fairytale ending.

The American’s defensive colleague, Alistair Johnston, though, believed he had jinxed it after the Englishman missed.

He said: [Glasgow Times] “There was relief when Joe made the save [from Killian Phillips]. He had the chance to win, and big Carter-Vickers said, ‘This is going to be a fairytale for Joe’. I said, ‘You can’t say that out loud, you’ve jinxed it’. Then, he hit the post.

“I knew I was going to take the sixth penalty and that I was next. Cheers mate.

“When he saved that final one it was relief. Joe is so good at those. He’s in great form.”

In the shootout, Hart did his job as a goalkeeper effectively. He made a crucial save when it mattered and although he missed from 12 yards, he soon made up for it.

The win sets up a grand end to the 37-year-old’s illustrious career with the Bhoys set to face Rangers in the final at the end of next month.