Newcastle United youngster Freddie Woodman has further enhanced his reputation as one of the games’ hottest prospects after penalty shoot-out heroics in the Scottish Cup.
The 21-year-old is on loan at Aberdeen until the end of the season and has already kept two clean sheets in the four league games he’s played. And now he has gained the plaudits for a hat-trick of saves in a penalty shoot-out against Kilmarnock in the quarter final of the competition.
The game finished 1-1 after extra time and it came down to the spot kicks to decide who would progress through to the semi-finals, and it was Woodman who stole the show. He saved from Greg Taylor, Greg Kiltie and Eammon Brophy.
Speaking after the game, Woodman told the Aberdeen club website: “It was an amazing evening. For the team to come back in extra time and go on and win it like we did was brilliant. We are into the semi-finals and that is what we came here to do.
“I have a good record of saving penalties. Hopefully that will something that stays with me during my career. I feel confident and that comes from my track record of saving them.
“Although I enjoy penalties, as most keepers do, I was hopeful we could win it in normal time. As soon as the whistle went at the end of extra time my mind started focusing on the job I had to do.
“People say there is no pressure on goalkeepers in that situation but that is not the case. I want to win and get to a semi-final.
“Our boys have done well to score ours. They were top quality.
“I was also confident because I had done my homework.”
Woodman gained plaudits as part of the England U20 World Cup squad last summer, saving a penalty in the final against Venezuela and being awarded the Golden Glove for ‘keeper of the tournament and he felt that experience certainly helped.
“I have played in a few finals now, so I would love to get back to another one, especially at Hampden. I remember when I first came to Scotland I drove past Hampden, it looks a great stadium, if I get the chance to play there then I will be delighted. I am just pleased I have helped my team reach the semi-finals.
“Football is about winning and winning trophies.
“When you get to the end of your career you want to have medals to show off.”
Aberdeen defender Andrew Considine praised Woodman for his saves as the Dons wait to find out their opponents.
“I take my hat off to Freddie, he was outstanding in the penalty shootout,” he told AFC.co.uk. “All the boys who stepped up were fantastic. It’s the one real thing that goalies take pride in when it comes to Cup competitions and penalties. They want to make a couple of saves and Freddie was absolutely brilliant!”