Celtic’s awesome Hampden gallery
Over 40,000 fans inside Hampden and millions worldwide looked on as Celtic created history by becoming the first club to win back-to-back trebles.
A 2-0 win over Motherwell was much less dramatic than last season’s nerve shredder against Aberdeen but the scenes of celebration at the end will never change.
The sun was out over the south side of Glasgow as Brendan Rodgers sent his players out to create history- less than two years on from a scary night in Gibraltar.
Without question the team has been shaped in the image of their manager even though the XI on show at Hampden were, with just two exceptions, inherited from Ronny Deila.
Every player has their own persona story of how Rodgers has revived and reshaped their career with Scott Brown the perfect example.
After a season in which he looked burnt out there would have been no complaints if Rodgers had led a clear out from the skipper down.
The new manager thought differently, he saw qualities in Brown that others had overlooked with the captain-manager bond at the heart of two years of success.
A great time to be alive, and, in Brendan We Trust have been two of the catch phrases of the last two seasons- who knows what the next 24 months will bring as the Rodgers legacy grows and grows.
PRIZE GUYS
Two first half goals gave Scott Brown and his team-mates their place in history with the second half the starting point of a weekend of celebrations.
Now the big question is whether they will be back in position in 12 months, not many would back against another clean sweep but complacency will never set in with Brendan Rodgers in charge.
HAMPDEN HUDDLE
Within seconds 40,000 fans turned their backs on the action knowing that the double treble had been secured- a unique moment in Scottish football history.
Fan culture sounds a trendy term but it is closely associated with Celtic as the supporters adapt and discover more ways to demonstrate their passion for the club.
KT AND PALS
After his stint in the stand at Tynecastle Tierney has been back in boots over the last couple of matches.
Not since Tommy Burns has there been a player so close to the Celtic support with KT appreciating that relationship every bit as much as the fans.
Without question if he hadn’t made it with Celtic he’d have been in among the fans, it seems that every success has the bhoy from Wishaw looking forward even more to the next one.
HISTORY
There looks to be more fans than seats in this picture but there is no doubting what the Celtic support brings to the big occasions.
Passion, colour, noise and a little bit more are always on the menu with the bond between players and supporters in evidence at the final whistle.
GOOD GOLLY, IT’S OLLY
Nir Bitton, Stuart Armstrong and Callum McGregor can all play the holding midfield role but the young Frenchman has made it his own.
Over the course of the season Ntcham has grown into his new position, showing more and more authority highlighted by his Hampden goal and Efe Ambrose celebration.
BRENDAN’A ‘LUCKY’ GROUND
Like most things Rodgers changed that concept rattling off eight wins out of eight to become the first manager in Scottish football to complete a double treble.
Jock Stein and Martin O’Neill both created plenty of magic moments but the Irishman has set a benchmark that any future manager will aspire to. Who would bet against a third treble next season?
A FAREWELL TEAR?
With a few minutes left to play Scott Sinclair was sent on with very specific instructions leaving Patrick Roberts and Leigh Griffiths on the bench at the final whistle.
Roberts got very close to creating special Celtic moments but injury and James Forrest blunted his impact although he will return to Manchester City with a decent medal collection.
THAT GRIFF MOMENT
There was no playing role for Leigh Griffiths at Hampden but with Ibrox now out of bounds the former Hibs striker makes a point of ensuring a scarf is left on the goal-posts of the National Stadium.
With Moussa Dembele is awesome form Griffiths will need to remain the best back up striker in the country- he’ll be back next season to kick off his second century of Celtic goals.
THERE’S NO ONE BETTER
McGregor established himself last season playing alongside Scott Brown- few would have picked him to replace Scott Sinclair in the attacking left midfield role.
Whatever the position, he is also a more than decent left-back, McGregor has the game for every occasion with his season highlighted by a brilliant cup final goal- to add to two strikes against Sevco plus goals against Bayern Munich and Zenit St Petersburg.
LET’S GET READY TO RUMBLE
One slip and it could all have been undone but in years to come fans will recall these players as the XI that completed the double treble.
The main players from the season were there with three brought through from the club Academy- Tierney, Forrest and McGregor- making key contributions over the campaign.
FLY THE FLAG
The National Stadium isn’t strong on ‘customer experience’ but it does carry history by the bucket-load and has hosted many of Celtic’s greatest successes.
From the 7-1 match and Coronation Cup Final, through the Stein years into the modern era there is a special aura to watching the hoops climb the stairs to turn to their right and raise a trophy to the fans.