Four years is an unusually long spell for Celtic to go without winning the Scottish Cup, especially when the team has been playing monopoly with the league title.
It was unusual to be playing the Scottish Cup Final on a Sunday but after the usual tales of woe about Hibs in the Scottish Cup a 3-0 win for the Glasgow side extended their wait by another twelve months.
Having reached the last 16 of the Champions League and retained the SPL title the Hampden victory crowned off an exceptional season.
This side was probably the strongest of Neil Lennon’s four years in charge with a settled style, secure defence and free scoring strike force.
Hibs weren’t really at the races with Leigh Griffiths looking a forlorn figure trying to get something out of his future employers.
It was two opportunist strikes from Gary Hooper in the first half that teed up the victory with a late goal from Joe Ledley putting the issue beyond doubt and highlighting the gulf between the two teams.
Since then the Scottish Cup has been a tale of woe and controversy, tomorrow at Hampden those memories can be dulled with the treble clinched by a side that never knew when it was beaten- because it never was beaten!
INTRODUCTION
FRASER FORSTER
Apart from almost a year out through injury life has gone rather sweet for the former Newcastle reserve.
He picked up two Scottish Cup medals winners medals with Celtic, worked his way into the England World Cup squad and became known as the Yellow Wall in Barcelona.
He is the first choice keeper at Southampton.
MIKAEL LUSTIG
There has been a few ups and downs since he picked up his 2013 Scottish Cup winners medal.
Hip surgery looked to have taken too much out of the Swede but his career has flourished under Brendan Rodgers with his goal celebrations becoming legendary.
He is playing as well as he ever has and is undisputed first choice right back at Celtic.
KELVIN WILSON
It was a strange and brief Celtic career for Kelvin.
A patchy first season was followed by an exceptional second before he suddenly returned to Nottingham Forest a few months after winning the Scottish Cup against Hibs.
He spent last season with doomed Rotherham and could soon be reunited with Neil Lennon at Hibs.
CHARLIE MULGREW
He was at the peek of his powers playing at centre half as Celtic rounded off an exceptional season by winning the Scottish Cup.
Mulgrew and Kelvin Wilson never cost a penny in transfer fees but provided everything that you’d be looking for in a central defensive partnership.
His summer departure from Celtic seemed bizarre, after relegation with Blackburn Rovers he’s likely to be on the move to another Championship club.
EMILIO IZAGUIRRE
Life at Celtic has been a roller-coaster for Emilio who recently had his contract extended by a year.
There has been much more good than bad times but being back-up to Kieran Tierney can’t be much fun.
It’ll be touch and go whether he makes it onto the bench at Hampden, back in November he put in a strong performance as Celtic lifted the Betfred Cup.
JAMES FORREST
A relative veteran, Forrest looks certain to start tomorrow’s match on the bench as he chases his third Scottish Cup winners medal.
After being given his chance by Neil Lennon he regularly repaid that faith and always had something extra for the big occasion.
Twelve months ago it seemed like his Celtic days were almost over but the Rodgers treatment has been highly successful with a new contract signed.
SCOTT BROWN
The skipper keeps coming back for more and has a special ‘rapport’ with the Aberdeen supporters.
The Scottish Cup hasn’t been the kindest but after watching Hibs triumph last season he’ll be looking favourably on the old trophy.
With a treble at stake and a place in the history books at stake as the captain of the Invincibles Aberdeen will have their work cut out to halt Broony.
JOE LEDLEY
A goalscorer against Hibs in his last Hampden appearance for Celtic.
Ledley was an integral part of Neil Lennon’s successes but eight months later he was on his way to Crystal Palace shortly before his contract expired.
Now he is again out of contract with Crystal Palace, with no manager in place his future is again open to speculation.
KRIS COMMONS
Six highly eventful years at Celtic are almost up for the former Derby County midfielder.
The 12/13 season was one of his best highlighted by the penalty against Spartak Moscow that booked a place in the last 16 of the Champions League.
He’ll leave Celtic with two Scottish Cup winners medals but this term has been a write off except for a month on loan with Lennon at Hibs.
GARY HOOPER
The last hurrah for a fantastic striker, he signed off with two cup winning goals before moving to Norwich City at the start of the following season.
Life never really worked out for him at Carrow Road, or with Sheffield Wednesday where he completed this season with just six goals.
It took the arrival of Moussa Dembele to replace the goals of Hooper, it seems that the striker is now missing Celtic more than the hoops are missing Hooper.
ANTHONY STOKES
Was given the vote ahead of Georgios Samaras for this match and responded with two assists for Hooper to score from.
Stokes had saved the day in the 4-3 semi-final win over Dundee United and picked up another winners medal with Hibs a year ago.
A move to Blackburn Rovers hasn’t worked out with the familiar route to Easter Road looking likely again this summer.
GEORGIOS SAMARAS
Had played a big part in the success off the season, especially in Europe but had to settle for a place on the bench at Hampden.
With the cup secured he replaced Kris Commons late in the second half to pick up his second Scottish Cup winners medal.
A year later it was all over at Celtic with his career nose diving after leaving Glasgow.
EFE AMBROSE
Efe’s star had started to dull after the Champions League defeat from Juventus.
He had arrived at the start of the season and formed a sound partnership with Kelvin Wilson as Celtic progressed in Europe.
This season has been a disappointment but a loan to Hibs has put him back in the shop window with a move to Edinburgh a strong possibility.
PADDY MCCOURT
It was farewell from Paddy as he picked up his second Scottish Cup winners medal.
Barnsley, Brighton and Luton were to get glimpses of the Derry Pele who is now doing his stuff with Finn Harps in the League of Ireland.
His career DVD will be a best seller with a series of mazy solo goals strung impressively together.