Aberdeen keeper Dimitar Mitov last night revelled in the glory of the Pittodrie club’s first Scottish Cup triumph since 1990 and told his team-mates they are destined to be ‘heroes forever’.

The Bulgarian was outstanding in the Dons’ historic victory over Celtic, saving when one-on-one with Daizen Maeda in time added-on at the end of the regulation 90 minutes and then denying both Callum McGregor and Alistair Johnston in a penalty shoot-out after the match had ended all square.

And he emerged afterwards to make it clear to his team-mates just how life-changing it will be to always have their names associated with such an unexpected win in front of a 25,000-strong travelling support.

‘It’s incredible to win it because of the fact it was 35 years since Aberdeen last won the cup.

‘I didn’t realise how few finals they’d been to. This was only the fourth since 1990.’

Aberdeen goalkeeper Dimitar Mitov celebrates their Scottish Cup triumph

Mitov saves Alistair Johnston’s penalty to secure the Scottish Cup for Aberdeen

Mitov also reserved praise for manager Jimmy Thelin and the secret methods he used to convince his players that they really could upset the odds.

‘We always believed — always,’ he said. ‘And that comes from the manager.

‘I’ll tell you a secret. Leading up to the final, it was always “when” we win the Scottish Cup. Not “if”.

‘That mentality creeps into your head, that positivity gets bigger and bigger because, every time we talked to each other, it was when we win it, not if we win it. That’s a huge thing.

‘I had very little to do in the game, a few crosses to punch and a couple of saves, but, as a goalkeeper, you always know you have to be ready for that moment.

‘All the best goalkeepers in the world have to be there to make that save when it matters. To make the save (from Maeda) gave the team extra energy and it gave the crowd a massive lift.

‘When I then saved the penalty from McGregor, I tried to stay calm, not to get too emotional or ahead of myself.

‘I don’t have tactics, just think about one penalty at a time.

‘I’m actually disappointed with myself because I should have saved Maeda’s penalty as well. If we didn’t win it, that would have haunted me for the rest of my life.

‘When I saved the second penalty, the ref was checking it with VAR, so you have to stay calm, but he said it was fine.’

Aberdeen scored all four of their spot-kicks thanks to captain Graeme Shinnie, Dante Polvara, Oday Dabbagh and Ante Palaversa.

Aberdeen players get the party started after winning the Scottish Cup at Hampden

‘The penalties from the boys? Jesus! Everything was in the top corner, so fair play to them,’ said Mitov. ‘I’m so happy for everyone involved.

‘The boys were incredible, we had a difficult spell this season but they always gave everything. 

‘They know how much it means to the supporters, but everything starts with the manager. He drives the standards, he demands and demands it every day.

‘We got what we deserved. It wasn’t the way we wanted it but a win is a win — we’re champions.

‘But the person I’m most happy for, more than me, is Graeme Shinnie.

‘This guy, since I’ve been to the football club he’s always been there, setting standards week in, week out. He is always performing on the pitch and the one thing about him is that he’ll never ask anyone to do anything he’s not willing to do himself.

‘This is something he’s talked about. He’s not shied away from it in the press, so I’m so, so happy for him.

‘We have guaranteed European group-stage football now and that was the target we set out with.

‘Some people wrote us off. Everyone had been talking about our results against Celtic and the goals they’d scored but this was a one-off game and we got it done.’