Tommie Hoban says that a weekend defeat to Celtic is a hard one to take for Aberdeen.
The Dons lost 2-0 in Scottish Cup semi-final action on Sunday. Goals from Ryan Christie and Mohamed Elyounoussi sealed victory for Celtic as they set up a final date with Hearts next month.
Dejection for the Dons. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
For the Dons it was another defeat on the big stage, manager Derek McInnes now suffering eight separate semi-final or final defeats. A few of them have been at the hands of Celtic.
There was genuine optimism that this could be the time Aberdeen finally get one over Celtic at Hampden. The pair had drawn 3-3 at Pittodrie the week previous and the Hoops’ form of late has been questionable.
But their domestic dominance showed no sign of slowing down on Sunday. Hoban says it’s a bitter pill to swallow at Aberdeen as he gave his thoughts on the Glasgow outcome.
A tough one for Hoban and Aberdeen. (Photo by James Williamson – AMA/Getty Images)
“Celtic took their chances and that was the difference,” said Hoban. “I thought in the second half we got at them but we just couldn’t get the goal that we needed.
“It’s very tough. They are a team who have a habit of winning over the last 10 years. They win week-in week-out and have that mentality to get results when it matters.
“They have the quality and if you give them a chance then you know they are likely to take it. The good thing is that we are going to have other opportunities this year and it is up to us to take them.
A sore one. (Photo by Mark Runnacles/Getty Images)
“We just need to try and create a similar mentality ourselves. I know it wasn’t our day today but I am really hoping that on one of our opportunities against them, hopefully this season, it could be us that are on the winning side.”