Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers expressed his disappointment after his side suffered a Scottish Cup final defeat to Aberdeen on penalties at Hampden Park.
In a candid post-match press conference , Rodgers offered a sobering reflection on a performance he felt fell well short of the standards expected at the club.
“We Can Have No Complaints”
Rodgers began by congratulating Aberdeen on their triumph, acknowledging their success in lifting the trophy and returning it to Pittodrie.
“Firstly, congratulations to them. Winning the trophy and taking it back to Aberdeen is great for them,” Rodgers said. “For us, we’re obviously… We can have no complaints. We didn’t do enough in the game.”
Supporting Schmeichel
Much of the attention turned to Kasper Schmeichel, whose error proved costly late in the match. But Rodgers was quick to defend his goalkeeper, pointing to his consistent contributions throughout the season.
“He’s obviously apologetic to his teammates, but he’s been outstanding for us all season. It was just unfortunate at that time of the game.”
Rodgers emphasised that the team had chances to win and that blame could not be placed on one individual.
A Lack of Intensity and Creativity
Analysing the reasons behind the defeat, Rodgers highlighted a lack of speed and sharpness in Celtic’s play, especially when trying to break down Aberdeen’s defensive structure.
“We played against a 5-3-2, and we’ve broken that down before with speed, runs, and tempo. But we were very slow,” he explained. “We didn’t break any lines with or without the ball. It was very safe.”
The manager pointed to the absence of midfielder Reo Hatate as a significant blow, describing him as a key figure in driving the team forward.
Support for Callum McGregor
Celtic captain Callum McGregor missed a crucial penalty during the shootout, and Rodgers offered words of support for his skipper, reinforcing his leadership qualities.
“He’s such a conscientious guy who gives so much to this club,” Rodgers said. “I was just reminding him what an incredible leader he is… He’ll come back in the summer stronger, fitter, and ready to go again.”
No Excuses – Just Reflection
Rodgers called for honest reflection from the team and staff, admitting Celtic were not at the required level on the day.
“We didn’t play to our level and our standard. That’s a big disappointment. We can’t blame anyone – only look at ourselves.”
Despite the setback, he urged his players to consider the season as a whole – a campaign that saw them secure two domestic trophies and progress in Europe.
Perspective and Motivation
Reflecting on his own managerial record, Rodgers acknowledged the pain of his first defeat in a domestic final but framed it as part of the game.
“This is a team that’s given me so much… This is my first loss in [11] finals. You have to accept that. It’s part of sport.”
He emphasised the importance of respecting Aberdeen’s win and using the experience as fuel for the future.
“When you stand there and watch the opponent picking up the trophy, you have to show humility and congratulate them – but use it as motivation for next season.”
Plans for the Future
Looking ahead, Rodgers confirmed that the result would not change the club’s summer plans, with squad strengthening still firmly on the agenda.
“We know we need to strengthen areas on the field. The result today doesn’t change anything. We’ll look to improve again – that’s what you aim to do every summer.”
Rodgers closed by reinforcing Celtic’s values of respect and resilience, underlining the club’s enduring ambition to dominate domestic football and challenge in Europe.
Celtic fans will now look to the summer with hope that lessons learned from Hampden can drive the team to even greater heights next season.
Callum McFadden 