Adam Idah’s dramatic last-minute strike earned Celtic a 1-0 win over Rangers in the 150th anniversary Scottish Gas Scottish Cup final at Hampden Park.
Gers striker Cyriel Dessers missed a couple of chances in a goalless first half before replacement Abdallah Sima had the ball in the net in the 59th minute, only for referee Nick Walsh to rule it out for a foul on Hoops keeper Joe Hart.
The Light Blues, energised by pacey substitutes, looked the more likely to get the breakthrough but when Ibrox keeper Jack Butland spilled a long-distance drive, substitute Idah, on loan from Norwich, swooped to knock in the winner.
Celtic won their third successive cinch Premiership title last week with the help of 10 points from 12 against their city rivals and while this was the first time Rangers had been the better side over 90 minutes, the Parkhead outfit still found a way to win and increase Brendan Rodgers’ remarkable record against Rangers – just one defeat in 18 Old Firm games in his two spells as Celtic boss, leaving Philippe Clement to ponder on how he changes things next season.
Here are the player ratings for those involved:
17. James Forrest
The 32-year-old has been flavour of the month at Celtic, but this was not his finest performance. Anonymous in the first half and his only positive attacking moment came with a driving run not long after restart that was thwarted. Booked for poor tackle and subbed for Nicolas Kuhn on 72 minutes. 4 Photo: Craig Foy - SNS Group
18. Kyogo Furuhashi
Hampden is normally a happy hunting ground for the Japanese. Indeed, he scored the opening goal in last season's Scottish Cup final. Not today, though. Furuhashi was largely starved of meaningful service and on the rare occasion he saw the ball, he was snuffed out quickly. Replaced on hour-mark. 4 Photo: Jane Barlow
19. Daizen Maeda
The speedy Japanese winger looked for a long time Celtic's most dangerous forward, getting in behind James Tavernier on a couple of occasions as Celtic kept trying to pick him out with passes from deep. Did not have much end product but kept going right until the end. 6 Photo: Rob Casey - SNS Group
20. Dujon Sterling
This boy has the engine of a Rolls-Royce. Constantly motored down the right flank and was one of Rangers' more purposeful players. Picked up booking on 63 minutes but it was therefore lamentable that he broke down injured on 80 minutes, to be replaced by Ross McCausland. 6 Photo: Jane Barlow