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Joe Hart readying himself to take a penalty for Celtic. (Image: Premier Sports.)
Celtic goalkeeper Joe Hart spared his blushes after stepping up to take a penalty in the Scottish Cup semi-final, only to dramatically hit the post. However, the former Manchester City stopper was still able to become the hero of the day as moments later he saved Aberdeen's necessary spot-kick to send the Hoops into the final.
After a wild 3-3 draw that was sent to a shoot-out following Angus MacDonald's 119th-minute equaliser, Hart attempted to copy his former employer's new number one Ederson after the Brazilian hit the back of the net on Champions League duty in midweek.
Ederson stepped up and calmly slotted City's fifth penalty against Real Madrid, but Hart was unable to replicate the finish and crashed his shot onto the post, giving Aberdeen a chance of progressing.
However, Hart went from zero to hero by denying Killian Phillips at Hampden Park, ensuring that Brendan Rodgers' unbeaten run at the national stadium remained intact.
Joe Hart with a wry smile after his penalty miss. (Image: Premier Sports.)
In an action-packed cup classic, Bojan Miovski gave Aberdeen the lead after just two minutes before Nicholas Kuhn pulled Celtic level before half-time.
Substitute James Forrest thought he had put Celtic into the final against either Rangers or Hearts with his finish just after the hour mark, but in stoppage time Ester Sokler sent Aberdeen fans into raptures with another equaliser.
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Hart, who announced that he will be retiring at the end of the season, stunned supporters when he walked towards the penalty spot, put the ball down and steadied himself to shoot.
However, his effort was off-target and cannoned back off the post, leaving the goalkeeper with a wry smile on his face.
But goalkeepers have a second chance should they miss their own penalty, returning between the posts to deny Phillips and send the Hoops into the Scottish Cup final.