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 at penalties - that was until Hart stepped up.

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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 hit the woodwork as well.

However, Hart immediately made amends as he pulled off a brilliant save to stop Killian Phillips to send Celtic to the Scottish Cup final.

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

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But it took some effort to even get to penalties after a frantic 3-3 draw at Hampden Park in a match that broke Dons hearts.

Bojan Miovski gave Aberdeen a shock lead in the second minute before Nicolas Kuhn equalised 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 scored a 90th-minute equaliser.

Matt O'Riley put Brendan Rodgers' in front again and it finally looked like the madness would come to an end, however Angus Macdonald would pop up with a 119th minute header to send the match to penalties.

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But ultimately it was Hart's day, crowning what has been an incredible career over the years and a chance at the perfect send-off in the Scottish Cup final next month.

After the match, Rodgers joked: “Fantastic game, I said to the players ‘never mind football sessions over these next couple of days, we need therapy sessions after that!’ That will hold us in good stead now going forward."

When asked if Hart would be up to take a penalty in the Scottish Cup final, Rodgers added: “A bit of practice before!

"He makes a good save, anticipates it and we are into the final which is brilliant.

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

"It was a great spectacle for the neutral and people watching.”