Not so long ago the League Cup was looked on as a bit of a jinx by Celtic fans, more bother than it’s worth.
Under Brendan Rodgers and the sponsorship of Betfred the trophy has become a favourite- starting the festive season with a trophy and speculating over a treble success.
Somewhat overlooked is the fact that the semi and final follow on from heavy European duties with Rodgers giving his club an extra night in Norway to prepare for Hampden.
Yesterday at Hampden there were a few new faces in the Celtic side, the evolution of the side was highlighted by the sight of Scott Brown, Leigh Griffiths, Craig Gordon and Olivier Ntcham sitting on the bench.
Ryan Christie was the headline act but there were impressive support roles played by Filip Benkovic and Scott Bain.
Every player played their part in the success, the team matched the physical approach of Aberdeen was met head on and overcome despite the erratic performance of referee Andrew Dallas.
Deep into first half stoppage time the goal arrived, the result of 39 passes that wore down the Dons defence, the bandaged Dedryck Boyata spotted the opening, Christie tuned in to the situation and capitalised to the full.
A few months ago a lot of questions were being posed about Brendan Rodgers and his squad, as December opens up with a trophy collected and the real prospect of European football in the new year the good times are rolling again.
KT AND PALS
That red megaphone is going to become iconic, if it isn’t already.
On the park KT is a leader among the team, off it there is only one leader with the defender the main man linking the players with the fans, it helps that he is equally at home in both roles.
At certain times some fans may speculate that he is bound to leave Celtic at some stage, when he enjoys occasions like this it’s clear that an extra million or two isn’t going to make him any happier.
THE BOSS
Out on the park it was combat at times, there was plenty of passion from the fans while his opposite number went through the full range of theatrics.
Alone with his thoughts under the rain coat the Celtic manager was thinking through every move, expertly judging the game and crucially timing the substitutions to maximise effect.
Rodgers never appears ruffled, never stressed always in control. With seven out of seven in terms of domestic trophies he knows the drill but with each trophy win the pressure increases going into the next contest.
FILIP SAVOURS HIS DAY
He slipped in as Moussa Dembele departed but in his own way Filip Benkovic might just make make as big an impact as the departing Frenchman.
Already there are comparisons to Virgil van Dijk but there is a good argument to be said that he is a stronger defender than the Liverpool favourite.
There were a few touches on the ball that showed great confidence but first and foremost he is a defender, unfortunately it is a case of enjoy him while you can, when he returns to Leicester City that won’t be the final destination in his career.
SKIPPERS
Twin skippers as the two oldest players in the side go up to lift the trophy- there doesn’t look to be many signs of complacency setting in.
Graeme Shinnie might squeal about it but there’s a reason why these two players have amassed over 20 major trophies and well over 100 international caps, Shinnie hasn’t.
Lustig and Brown are both out of contract in June, they may not be back to defend the trophy next season but their place in Celtic folklore is assured alongside the achievements of Brendan Rodgers.
PRIZE GUY
He has been a model of patience, constantly listening to others telling him that he would get his chance. It would only be natural to doubt that message.
As Celtic lost Stuart Armstrong and failed to sign John McGinn during the summer there weren’t many voices on the sidelines suggesting that the solution was already at the club.
At times this season Youssouf Mulumbu and Eboue Kouassi have been played ahead of Christie but after getting his chance at Murrayfield there has been no looking back.
WE’VE DONE IT
The big chap has only lost goals in two matches since joining Celtic at the end of the summer transfer window.
Aberdeen never really looked like joining Hibs and RB Leipzig even though Filip Benkovic had to change partners during the match, switching from Dedryck Boyata to Jozo Simunovic.
The on loan Leicester defender is unbeaten in a Celtic shirt, if he goes into the new year with that stat intact Celtic will be well on course for another spectacular season.
PRIZE GUYS
You can see how much it means to the players to be picking up the trophy- it’s not so long ago that this three handed jug was looked on as something of a jinx.
Four trophy wins in five years suggests otherwise with the shorter tournament and winter final appearing to be more to our liking.
Some new faces have emerged, it was a first trophy for Scott Bain, Filip Benkovic and Ryan Christie as Celtic players but there is a backbone in this picture who will be back again for more at the start of next season.
RESPECT
In other circumstances, where an ego is involved toys could have been flying out the pram.
There was no chance of that at Hampden, both men have too much respect for each other as the dual architects of Celtic’s current run of success.
Early in the second half it was clear what Brown’s role would be, he carried out his instructions to the letter to head up the steps alongside Mikael Lustig as another trophy was added to the CV of the boss.
FIREWORKS
Back in the seventies and eighties the winners collected the trophy, their medals and gave a brief acknowledgement to fans before heading to the dressing room for a bevvy and fag.
These days it is all a bit slicker with everything geared towards lights. cameras and action to achieve maximum exposure.
The fireworks generate a real heat, with the music bounding and the fans cheering the podium pictures are an essential part of today’s trophy successes.
LESSONS IN DIGNITY AND RESPECT?
Whining Dons skipper Graeme Shinnie didn’t do Lewis Ferguson any favours when he brought up his team-mates age and alleged sledging from Scott Brown and Mikael Lustig.
It’s a man’s game, the chances are that Ferguson will go on to have a more successful career than his current captain.
With the influence of his dad and uncle the teenage Dons midfielder has better role models, there isn’t a player in the game that would pick Shinnie as his skipper against his Celtic equivalent.