Brendan Rodgers quipped that he needed a therapy session following his side's highly entertaining cup semi-final encounter with Aberdeen.

After extra time, the game was finely poised at 3-3, with drama aplenty throughout the game at the national stadium. 

Twice Aberdeen levelled the score in the dying minutes of both normal and extra time. 

Speaking post-match, Rodgers harked back to the 1980s and 90s to liken the situation his team found itself into that of former player Anton Rogan.

“I need a therapy session after that,” the 51-year-old said with a smirk. “Oh my god. What a game for neutrals watching. Great spirit, and obviously we’ve got to credit both teams.

“Aberdeen, fantastic, had nothing to lose, but they came and played really well.

“We had to dig in after a slow start, but I’m just happy to be in the final.

“We had the chances to get over the line before penalties. We just had to be a little bit more careful on the ball to arrive into those spaces. Especially with the third goal in extra-time, that’s exactly what you need to do. Bring yourself up the pitch, shorten the game, get into the spaces and make them work. We just couldn’t see it through."

He continued: “I had a flashback of Anton Rogan. He was a player for Celtic and, bless him, he missed a penalty for Celtic against Aberdeen many years ago.

“I’m thinking ‘Don’t be the next Irishman in that position, please.’ I’m really pleased for the team and the supporters. It brings us to another final."

READ MORE: Why weren't Aberdeen awarded penalty against Celtic?

Aberdeen took an early lead in the game, with some fans not at their seats before Bojan Miovski had the ball in the net. 

Leighton Clarkson played an inch-perfect through-ball in behind Celtic's defence for the striker, and the prolific North Macedonian made no mistake to slot under Joe Hart.

“We weren’t tight enough in our positioning," Rodgers explained. They were quite bright in midfield and combined well to play through. He’s a good player, their striker. Too much space.

"We were away on the attack before we’d even secured the ball. It was a very good goal, so you have to give them credit for that.”

Hart was the hero in the end, but it came in bizarre fashion. He had the chance to win the shootout for the Hoops - by taking their fifth penalty. However, just as Ryan Duncan did moments before, he smacked the post.

The veteran keeper did eventually become the hero as he saved from Killian Phillips to seal the pulsating cup tie.

Rodgers addressed the situation, saying: “He says he still wants another penalty. We’ve worked on it over the last couple of days and before the cup games we go into, knowing who’s taking the penalties. A great save and he’s the hero in the end.”