Even in the raw emotion of a last minute goal in a cup final Callum McGregor showed his ‘captain’s head’ as he celebrated Adam Idah’s strike at Hampden.
The Celtic striker had a role early on in the move, finding Paulo Bernardo with a pass in the centre circle before the on loan midfielder brushed aside Nico Raskin and charged through on goal.
After Idah tucked the rebound under Jack Butland the celebrations kicked off as thousands of Celtic fans let off steam and raced towards the corner flag to salute their super sub.
As the player celebrations died down McGregor clearly motioned to the fans to calm down, pointing to the imaginary watch on his wrist that there was still football to be played.
Steven McLean indicated for eight additional minutes, that stretched to 10 before Nick Walsh blew the final whistle.
Celtic got through the added time without any real scares around their goal, Joe Hart was well protected and came off his line quickly to claim a few hopeful through balls.
Most of the added time took place in the middle of the pitch with McGregor and his team-mates taking control with some perfect game management.
At Ibrox last month Idah put Celtic 3-2 in front in the 88th minute with the players celebrating at the away dug-out, in stoppage time substitute Rabbi Matondo pulled a goal back to keep the title race in the balance.
There was no repeat at Hampden as Celtic saw the match through before McGregor lifted the trophy before taking it around half of Hampden to share with the delighted Celtic support.
