Celtic wrapped up the eighth title of a dramatic season with what turned out to be a fairly routine win over Aberdeen.
Goals from Mikael Lustig, Jozo Simunovic and Odsonne Edouard barely scratch at the surface of a season where the main challenge seemed to come from within.
Missing from the final scenes at Pittodrie were, in no particular order, Leigh Griffiths, Brendan Rodgers, Ryan Christie, Moussa Dembele and Dedryck Boyata!
Without question the most critical moment of the season came at the end of February as Rodgers headed back to the land of milk and honey in the most tacky of circumstances. During the course of a Monday his stature within the club was destroyed as he turned up at Leicester leaving the squad in the lurch ahead of critical fixtures away to Hearts and Hibs.
Neil Lennon stepped in as caretaker with minimal notice and has now taken the club to within one match of a Treble Treble.
The inside story of the season will probably never surface but those that contributed most were on duty at Pittodrie as the club celebrated it’s 50th title success the day after the funeral of it’s greatest ever captain. Only Celtic produce stories like this!
CHAMPIONS AGAIN, CHAMPIONS AGAIN
They have came through an incredible season, many that started out in Alashkert have fallen by the wayside but a core remains that has steered the club through to a fairly comfortable title win despite the dramas.
Throughout January they were questioned as a defeat at Ibrox was micro analysed, the so called big names arrived across the city but out in Dubai Celtic found some focus.
What happened at the end of February was clearly traumatic but the players took on the responsibility, barely wavered and delivered a title in the toughest of circumstances.
LENNY’S MOMENT
He has heard all the criticism, all the whispers and rumours about who he is keeping the seat warm for.
To some it was an easy job to walk into, the reality was much different but after winning his first matches at Tynecastle and Easter Road he had the situation under control.
Whatever the future holds for Lenny, at Celtic or elsewhere, he’ll be remembered for answering the call, putting the club first and most importantly delivering results on the park.
SELFIE BHOYS
Brothers in arms, one from the Kingdom of Fife with the other from Lanarkshire after being born in the Isle of Man.
Together they have the passion and drive needed to be a Celtic player but just as important the ability that is essential.
When the chips are down they find something extra, opponents target them for special treatment but they see it coming, they don’t complain and bounce back for more knowing the prizes on offer.
Moments like yesterday are savoured and enjoyed but Celtic is also about tomorrow, the next match, the next trophy the next challenge.
FRENCH EDDIE
Almost under the radar Odsonne Edouard has played an absolutely vital role in this season’s title success.
The song rejoices in ‘Scott Brown won the league at Rugby Park’ but in the nervous weeks that followed the young Frenchman scored goals at Tynecastle and Dens Park that were every bit as vital.
When derby day came along he held back something special. Joe Worral’s career came to a halt runningback from French Eddie, Celtic’s record signing has again delivered.
HAPPY DAYS
He’s not had much to smile about in recent months but whatever the future holds this season’s title success will feature the key role played by the caretaker.
Online supporters have been highly critical, it’s almost as if points weren’t dropped earlier in the season at St Mirren, Livingston and Motherwell but Lennon has largely kept his cool and his eye on the job.
Two convincing wins over Aberdeen have been among the highlights so far but there are three matches more in this season with not a word yet on who will manage Celtic next season.
SCANDINAVIAN BHOYS
From Norway and Sweden, far from the Celtic heartlands but they certainly get in, what Celtic is about with that magic all underpinned by the support.
Back on a blustery day in 2012, much like yesterday, Lustig made his Celtic debut while Ajer was starting out at High School in Norway.
At the end of March they were in the firing line as a Glasgow derby spilled over, they stood their ground, survived and came out fighting as another title was secured with their own parts in the triumph recognised by supporters.
LIFT OFF
The after match celebration is all important these days, with something extra in the air when a title has just been clinched.
From dark days at Tynecastle, Paisley and Kilmarnock earlier in the season the away support has stood their ground, supporting the team through thick and thin and many last minute dramas.
After a highly emotional week at the club that saw the death of a Lisbon Lion and the funeral of the greatest captain there was a happy ending as title number 50 was clinched and celebrated on and off the park.
BILLY MCNEILL
A day after they had attended his funeral the Celtic squad were leading a minute of applause for Billy McNeill.
It only lasted one season but before taking over from Jock Stein, McNeill spent a highly successful season at Aberdeen during which he signed Steve Archibald and Gordon Strachan with a first team debut given to Alex McLeish.
Cesar would have enjoyed the display that Celtic delivered, resolute and determined at the back with a lethal edge in attack to deliver title number 50.
LUSTIG STARTS THE PARTY
He’s quite a kid is Mikael even if he has slowed down a little from his swashbuckling peak of a few years back.
The attitude and desire remains, he noted Callum McGregor’s position and the big space behind Stevie May was too inviting to ignore.
A full length flying header from a full back doesn’t come along too often but after his Messi effort at Ibrox two years ago this strike will be well remembered by Celtic’s most successful ever Swede.
SIMUNOVIC SCORES
For almost four years his biggest contribution had been a crunching tackle on Kenny Miller that sent the veteran striker into orbit during a 5-1 win at Ibrox.
An off on off Celtic career may have turned a corner over the last month with an iconic goal in the first match following the death of Billy McNeill followed by a decisive header in the title clincher.
Injuries have been forgotten, if Jozo needs inspiration he can look to James Forrest for the way in which a Celtic career that looked blighted can be transformed into glory and trophy successes.
STEVIE CHALMERS
All of the Lions are special but the role of Chalmers needs no introduction or explanation- he scored the goal!
Stevie suffered through the grim years of the early sixties but found a new lease of life under Jock Stein, playing his part and scoring the goals that mattered.
Once his playing days had wound down at Morton and Partick Thistle he returned to Celtic, headed up the club Pools in constant contact with supporters without any fuss or drama.