Celtic’s treble dream was killed off at Hampden with the match turning on an incredible error by referee Stevie McLean.
Leading by an 18th minute free kick from Virgil van Dijk Celtic should have been awarded a penalty with Inverness Caley Thistle reduced to ten men.
In the final minute of the first half Celtic were denied a penalty when Josh Meekings punched away a netbound header from Leigh Griffiths. Not only did McLean have a clear view of the incident but the additional assistant, Alan Muir was within five yards of the incident.
Celtic players surrounded McLean at the incident and as the teams left the pitch at half-time with almost the entire stadium able to see clearly that Meekings had handled and should have seen red as well as giving Celtic a penalty.
Nine minutes into the second half McLean awarded Inverness a penalty and sent off Craig Gordon as the keeper fouled Marley Watkins. It was a straightforward decision to make, just as it had been 25 minutes earlier when Meekings punched away Griffiths’ header.
Celtic hung on until extra time but fell behind to a strike from Edward Ofere in the sixth minute of extra time but drew level thanks to a free kick from substitute John Guidetti.
With three minutes left to play David Raven scored Caley Thistle’s third goal and there was no way back for Celtic.
Despite dominating Scottish football for close to 50 years it’s days like this that make Celtic fans realise just how difficult it is to win a treble.