THUNDER & FRIGHTENIN’
Rainfall was biblical, Celts made heavy weather of it but Rodgers has earned his God-like status
So even a thunderstorm couldn’t put a dampener on it for Celtic.
It might not have had the heat of Lisbon. But in muggy Mount Florida they rekindled the spirit of ’67 by securing the Invincible Treble, this team’s own footballing zenith.
And it was fitting that lightning lit up the Hampden sky as Tom Rogic was rattling home the goal that secured their status as legends.
At times before kick-off the rainfall was biblical at Hampden.
And after adding the Scottish Cup to the Premiership title and League Cup, Hoops gaffer Brendan Rodgers has now taken on God-like status in Glasgow’s east end.
Goals from Stuart Armstrong and Rogic sealed the trophy and this side’s place in the history books. But boy, did they make heavy weather of it ...
Despite the dark clouds in the sky pre-match no one can deny Rodgers and his men have been the Scottish game’s shining light this season.
It was almost a year to the day that word broke of his imminent arrival in Glasgow. Just before last year’s final between Rangers and Hibs it was apparent something big was brewing at Celtic Park.
And the Northern Irishman has been like a whirlwind since.
Celts have careered through the campaign, sweeping everyone else off their feet. Yesterday was just the culmination of their work.
The early downpour certainly wasn’t going to put off the punters.
In the 50th anniversary week of their European Cup triumph they were here to see the club’s fourth Treble – with Rodgers carving his name beside Jock Stein and Mar t in O’Neill.
Most of the crowd, including Kevin Bridges, John Higgins and Harry Redknapp, were in their seats in plenty of time for kick-off.
Although how some late arrivals failed to realise there wasn’t a sound in the stadium – disrupting a minute’s silence for the Manchester bomb victims – is anyone’s guess.
Some Aberdeen supporters had been to the ground a day early to organise the “Stand Free” card display.
It was impressive but you can’t help feel these things take a bit off the atmosphere as the teams come out.
That roar as players emerged from the
tunnel was always part of the thrill but now it’s flames and fireworks.
And to be fair this game was crackling from the start. In the first two minutes Aberdeen played with more pace, intensity and tenacity than they’d shown in 90 of the League Cup Final back in November.
They got at Celtic from the first whistle, pressing high, and outfoxed them at a corner to open the scoring.
But to concede an equaliser just 90 seconds later was a killer blow.
Leigh Griffiths’ inclusion was the Celtic manager’s big decision with Moussa Dembele back from injury.
But Derek McInnes had two. Firstly, to pick Rangers-bound Ryan Jack from the start ahead of Anthony O’Connor. And then to go with big Jayden Stockley up front at the expense of top scorer Adam Rooney. Now he might not be the most pleasing player on the eye and his elbow on Kieran Tierney that knocked out the Celtic full-back’s teeth might well have been punished. But, as brutal as it sounds, Stockley was doing the job that got him a place. He was picked to ruff le Celtic’s feathers. The Hoops were uncomfortable at the back and that was largely down to Stockley’s presence. At the break it was probably the first time in ANY game this season where you had doubts Celtic would win. Aberdeen just weren’t letting them play. The job carried out by wingers Jonny Hayes and Niall McGinn was incredible in tracking the full-backs. When the little Irishman broke clear on the right but dragged h is pass inches behind Kenny McLean, you feared they might regret that moment.
The next thunderstorm came, right on cue, after 67 minutes. The phone lights came on in the Celtic end as the Lisbon song filled the air. It would have been apt to get the winner then but Dedryck Boyata blazed his header over.
Towards the end it was an avalanche of Celtic attacks. Dons put bodies on the line and Tom Rogic’s winner was cruel on them but as the heavens opened it was clear someone was looking down on Celtic. It might even have been those lost Lions – and they would be proud of this team’s achievements.