Aberdeen goalkeeper Freddie Woodman has his sights set on giving his Aberdeen team-mates a Scottish Cup final to look forward to after helping his side beat Kilmarnock on penalties in Tuesday’s quarter-final replay.
Woodman was the hero in the shootout for the Dons, saving three spot kicks as the Reds booked a semi-final meeting with Motherwell at Hampden on April 14.
Victory came at a price, however, as captain Graeme Shinnie, midfielder Kenny McLean and full back Shay Logan will miss the semi-final due to suspension after all three were booked at Rugby Park.
Woodman said: “Graeme, Kenny and Shay are big players for us. They’ve been vital for us but the team is great, the squad depth is brilliant and since I’ve been here I can see the top quality we have here and the lads who come in will do a job. Hopefully, we can get to a final for the three lads who miss it.
“It would mean everything to play in the final. I’ve played in a few finals and when I arrived here I said football is about winning trophies and having medals to look back on. I’ve got that opportunity to get to another final and hopefully we’ll take it.”
Woodman is earning a reputation for himself as a penalty expert after saving a spot kick in the under-20 World Cup final for England last summer as he helped his country win the tournament in South Korea.
He was pleased to emerge victorious against Killie, where he spent a spell on loan last season, but insists there is no secret formula behind his three saves.
He said: “Penalties seem to follow me wherever I go. I’ve come out on top in a few now and hopefully it can stay like that during my career.
“I was positive we would win in normal time but as soon as the whistle went at the end of extra time my mind was focused and I was confident. Our boys did well by scoring theirs to help me out and it feels great.
“I’ve got friends in the Kilmarnock team that I spent a lot of time with, so I’m a little bit disappointed for them but I’m an Aberdeen player now and I’m happy to be through to the semi-finals.
“Goalkeepers don’t practise penalties. If anything we hate them. At training players want to do penalties all the time and it does my head in as it means diving about everywhere.
“I’ve tried studying penalty takers, I’ve guessed at penalties, I’ve tried everything. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. This time it was a win.”