It was a magical day for a magical club as they celebrated the 100th trophy of their glittering history.
Hampden Park has been the scene of too much recent heartbreak but there was never any prospect of a repeat from the moment Tom Rogic opened the scoring against Aberdeen.
Determined play from Jozo Simunovic created the chance with the Australian tucking the ball into the net with style to lay down a marker that this Celtic side weren’t to be beaten.
Motherwell, Alloa and Sevco had already been dismissed in the competition with the team created by Brendan Rodgers picking up a tangible reward for their early season efforts.
Other than Moussa Dembele it was a group of players that Rodgers inherited in the summer from Ronny Deila but today’s side are unrecognisable from last season’s version.
The passing is slick and purposeful, the defending resolute with a very definite end product around goal.
It may be too early to talk about a golden era but the signs are certainly there- behind the warm assured comments there is a steel about Rodgers that will never accept second best.
The rest of the season holds plenty of promise, the fans are back in numbers believing and enjoying the success of a manager who has literally been taken off the terracing, given a suit and place in the dug out- the future is as bright as the 67th minute light show at Hampden.
MOIUSSA DEMBELE
The first of many trophies for the young French striker who has taken to Celtic like it was always his destiny.
He gave the Aberdeen a tough time of it allowing Tom Rogic and James Forrest the space to create chaos.
When Stuart Armstrong was fouled just past the hour mark there was only one player that was going to take the penalty, with the ball rolled simply into the net- at the same end that he scored the winning goal in the semi-final. A class act in every way.
SCOTT BROWN
There was never any doubt about which skipper was going up to collect the trophy with the hoops skipper turning in a masterclass of controlled aggression.
From the middle of the park Broony dictated the entire match, putting in the challenges, blocks and tackles that kept Celtic in control. Do the Aberdeen fans dislike him or what?
Even once he had been booked he reigned things in a little bit showing the discipline needed to boss the match without falling for a silly second booking- he’ll be back here for a few more trophies yet
BOSS AND SKIPPER
It may have seemed an unlikely pairing to begin with but when Brendan Rodgers invited Scott Brown home for dinner there was something special brewing.
Rodgers recognised the qualities of the club captain, qualities that had been dimmed greatly over the second season of Ronny Deila’s time in charge.
The new Broony has emerged far far better than the previous version. Super fit, faster in the mind, sharp in the tackle and capable of getting the ball forward with style. There’s much more to the Fifer than his old destroyer image.
GREAT DANE
Ten months on from his debut in the horror show against Ross County, Erik Sviatchenko got his hands on some silverware.
The Dane has emerged as Brendan Rodgers first choice central defender, slotting in with ease alongside Jozo Simunovic, Mikael Lustig or Kolo Toure.
Aberdeen’s tactics played into his hands as he looked after Adam Rooney with ease, when the Dons had a spell of second half pressure Erik stood firm to keep Craig Gordon’s net well protected, another impressive performance to add to the clean sheet collection.
THE GAFFER
Six months, two songs and one trophy.
Who could have predicted the impact that he’d have in six months at the club- today’s line up included just one player, Moussa Dembele, that he has brought to the club.
Scott Sinclair missed out through injury, Kolo Toure guided the defence past Hapoel Beer Sheva and there’s lots lots still to come from the Irishman who makes his systems work.
If it’s not working he’ll alter it, 95% of his substitutions are effective and he certainly understands the fans, the club and knows his history.
EMILIO IZAGUIRRE
A surprise return for Emilio who is looking a more than adaquate deputy for the injured Kieran Tierney.
It looked like adios at the end of last season when he waved farewell to his pals in the Green Brigade, today he was waving a trophy and another winners medal.
Rodgers refused to let him leave, he needed back-up for Tierney with the Honduran doing the job to perfection to ensure trophy number 100 made it’s way up Kerrydale Street.
JAY BEATTIE
He’s becoming a bit of a veteran on these occasions but puts in the legwork getting to matches home and away.
Georgios Samaras picked him out of the crowd in 2014 as the SPFL trophy was making it’s way around Celtic Park and he’s been part of things ever since.
Now a Celtic ambassador he is in demand across the Celtic family most recently making an appearance with Rod Stewart during a recent concert in Belfast, today it was Scott Brown who was looking him up.
A BAND OF BROTHERS
Have you heard the one about the Londoner, the Dane and the Frenchman? Aberdeen have.
Their careers have all followed different paths, two of them overlapping previousy at Fulham but at Hampden today they played their part in Celtic’s 100th trophy success.
It’s fair to say that all three ‘get Celtic’ they know they are somewhere special and wherever else their careers may take them their time together in Glasgow will remain a highlight, with a few more medals and trophies to follow.
PRIZE GUYS
They may not become the new Lisbon Lions, the Centenary side or even the 4-2 team but this afternoon they collected the 100th mjor trophy in Celtic’s history.
Every single trophy win has been down to skill and hard graft with today’s effort no different.
Tom Rogic, James Forrest and Moussa Dembele take the headlines with their goals but today was a real team effort with another clean sheet again the bedrock to success- can they go on to become just the fourth treble winning team?
FAITHFUL THROUGH AND THROUGH- THE 12TH MAN
When it comes to support they are simply untouchable. Whatever the occasion the Celtic support make it special with their classic tunes, new additions and the imaginative way that they take on fan culture.
Today’s pre-match display must have created a few nerves but the players delivered on the park.
From an amazing early rendition of Grace through to You’ll Never Walk Alone in the closing stages the Celtic support again illustrated just how much a part of the club they are- a view voiced and acknowledged by the greatest characters in the club’s history on their way to 100 trophies.