Joe Hart goes from zero to hero in Scottish Cup semi-final penalty shootout to set-up Celtic swan song

Joe Hart completed his own redemption arc in Celtic’s penalty shootout victory over Aberdeen in the Scottish Cup semi-final.

After a thrilling match that ended 3-3 after extra time, nothing could separate the two teams, even on penalties – until Hart intervened.

The former Manchester City star, who will retire at the end of the season, was a shock candidate to take Celtic’s fifth penalty and win it for the Hoops.

But he smashed his penalty against the post, just seconds after Aberdeen star Ryan Duncan had also hit the woodwork.

However, Hart immediately made amends by making a brilliant save to deny Killian Phillips sending Celtic into the Scottish Cup final.

It means the Glasgow giants will face either Hearts or Rangers next month in what would be Hart’s final game as a professional footballer.

But it took some effort to get to penalties after a frantic 3-3 draw at Hampden Park in a match that left the Dons heartbroken.

Bojan Miovski gave Aberdeen a surprise lead in the second minute before Nicolas Kuhn equalized after 20 minutes.

James Forrest’s curled effort for Celtic to make it 2-1 looked to be the winning goal, but there was a late twist when Ester Sokler equalized in the 90th minute.

Matt O’Riley put Brendan Rodgers in front again and it finally looked like the madness would end, but Angus Macdonald popped up with a header in the 119th minute to send the game to penalties.

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But ultimately it was Hart’s day, capping off what has been an incredible career over the years and a chance to qualify perfectly in next month’s Scottish Cup final.

After the match, Rodgers joked: “It was a fantastic game, I said to the players ‘don’t worry about the football sessions for the next few days, we need some therapy sessions after this!’ This will be very useful to us in the future.”

Asked if Hart would be prepared to take a penalty in the Scottish Cup final, Rodgers added: “A bit of practice first!

“He makes a good save, anticipates it and we get to the final which is great.

“We got the order. He was the fifth taker. He had the courage to take it, he practiced it and we have to let them go.

“It was a great spectacle for neutrals and spectators.”