THE CLASSICAL HISTORY LESSON
Rodgers’ unstoppable Celtic sweep brave Motherwell aside with lethal two-goal burst to clinch double Treble
A DOUBLE Treble. And not a single doubt. From the moment Callum McGregor cracked home a sweet 11th-minute strike to add to his bulging collection of classic Celtic goals, the ruthlessness and professionalism of this Brendan Rodgers unit shone through in the Hampden sun as history was made.
To any detractors of the achievement, it simply says enough that Rodgers has just walked where only managerial giants of Scottish football, Jock Stein and Walter Smith, came close but were unable to tread.
Motherwell had caused enough mischief for the Celtic manager and his team this season with two Fir Park draws and a dogged League Cup final display. It was time to sort them out to secure the unique back-to-back domestic clean sweeps.
Understandably, this has not been as fancy as the Invincibles campaign of last year. Dog tired by a wearing European campaign, they were torn apart by Hearts in December.
Minds might have been on a party day against Rangers as Hibs delayed Cetic’s title-clinching celebrations last month. They then lost the first domestic home match under Rodgers to Aberdeen last Sunday.
He complained too many points have been dropped this season, particularly at home. But whenever a proper challenge dared to disrupt their dominance on a day that really mattered, Celtic drew on their big-game mentality. And so it was here.
It is a seamless art. Being able to spend £4million on the guy who scores the second goal in a final, Olivier Ntcham, helps.
Bringing £3.5m Scott Sinclair, last season’s Player of the Year, off the bench highlights the gulf between Celtic and the rest.
But that gap has been there for a long time now and it never spawned a silverware rush like this on either side of Glasgow.
From losing eight of 16 at the national stadium before the Rodgers revival, Celtic have won eight in a row, six of them without conceding a goal. A perfect record.
Rodgers and his team ensured that no misfortune would stalk this shot at immortality by imposing themselves on the occasion.
No referee controversy such as that which Stein pinned on the 1970 defeat to Aberdeen. No Craig Brewster to prey on a goalkeeping error as in 1994 when Smith’s men fell to Dundee United at the final hurdle.
An explosive Celtic opening period put paid to any notion of an upset. Michael Buffer, legendary boxing announcer, set the stage with his ‘Let’s-Get-Ready-To-Rumble’ catchphrase. But not the tone as Motherwell’s best efforts to pick a fight with the flair and quality of Celtic burned out.
It was straight into the hustling business from kick-off. Curtis Main and Ryan Bowman grappling with Kristoffer Ajer and Dedryck Boyata. Cedric Kipre snapping at Kieran Tierney’s heels. Which made it all the more bizarre when their fierce start withered on a dereliction of duty.
To be fair, Tom Rogic and McGregor eluded any pressure from their opponents. McGregor’s movement caught out a static Allan Campbell and Liam Grimshaw.
Mikael Lustig’s delivery was cleared from the penalty box by Tom Aldred’s header. McGregor read it perfectly, stealing forward in a flash to pounce in between Motherwell’s midfielders with a classy touch to pinch possession to tee up his shot.
It was beautifully guided by his right boot from the edge of the box. A dink off the far post and Trevor Carson was beaten.
Motherwell were then dominated in midfield by Celtic’s energy and skill while, in Tierney, Rodgers unleashed a left-winger and not a defender.
Tierney took it out on old schoolpal Chris Cadden, pinning him back and negating the positive influence of one of Motherwell’s best players.
Tierney teed up Dembele and Rogic to go close before more of his forward progress helped Celtic to snatch a second goal on 25 minutes. He found Rogic who, in turn, picked out Moussa Dembele. With his back to goal in the box, the Frenchman’s fine hold-up play afforded him the time and space to lay off for his countryman.
Aided by a slight deflection, Ntcham drilled low and deadly to beat an unsighted Carson. The somersaulting celebrations only made Motherwell feel dizzier.
For they were caught in the headlights by
this stage. Richard Tait was brought over to try to stifle Tierney as Stephen Robinson rang defensive alterations. Tierney’s Scottish Cup final last year was over after 27 minutes when Jayden Stockley smashed a forearm into his mouth. Clearly, Aberdeen knew what they were doing. Here, Tait and Grimshaw were booked for taking shots at the left-back. When Campbell had his go, McGregor took exception. There was no need for him to get involved, though, as Tierney could look after himself. With Atletico Madrid apparently watching him, their combative boss Diego Simeone could only have been impressed by how the remarkable 20-year-old withstood the physical stick he received. Motherwell had to muster a swift reply to Celtic’s second goal and they had two good efforts. Craig Gordon held low at his near post from Cadden. Then a skilful feed from Bowman found Main in space, but the striker’s snatched attempt flew over. In 47 minutes, a key stop from Gordon. Main held off Boyata to power a right-foot shot at the near post. The Scotland keeper stood firm to tip over. Not that the save would discourage Motherwell for the day.
Gael Bigirimana replaced captain Carl McHugh and they kept on reminding Celtic they were not going to leave them alone.
With 12 minutes to go, Cadden raced clear and was dragged down by Boyata. The Motherwell players screamed for a red card.
Kevin Clancy booked the Belgian and Bigirimana sized up the free-kick at the ‘Leigh Griffiths end’. His brilliant right-foot effort came so close to replicating the Celtic and Scotland striker’s heroics of last summer, leaving Gordon stranded but smacking the crossbar.
Dembele’s desperation to snare a goal for his national stadium collection was clear. Two last year and four this season, he brought out the best in Carson late on.
The Motherwell keeper’s one-handed swipe at Dembele’s header on the line was the pick of the saves and he had to dust himself down quickly and block with his right leg as the French forward came back for more.
Celtic managed the game as Motherwell boldly chased it, seeing it out late after stamping their true class early. To create a day that, as Rodgers summed up, will last forever.