Celtic 3-1 Inverness CT: Ange Postecoglou’s side win Scottish Cup to claim treble

Celtic proved too sturdy for second-tier Inverness Caledonian Thistle as they claimed the Scottish Cup and a fifth home treble in seven seasons.

The deluge of targets which may have been anticipated by no means adopted, however substitute Liel Abada completed a slick transfer to place Celtic firmly in management and begin the treble get together for the Premiership champions.

Nevertheless, out of nothing, Daniel MacKay stooped to move in Wallace Duffy’s great cross with six minutes left to all of the sudden give the ultimate life and the small nook of Inverness followers some hope once more.

However as they’ve all season, Celtic persevered and Abada’s dinked cross was finally turned dwelling in stoppage time by Jota to seal a forty first Scottish Cup and yet one more home clear sweep.

Supervisor Ange Postecoglou has now gained 5 of the six home trophies out there since becoming a member of the membership in the summertime of 2021, however the query is whether or not the Australian will likely be round for extra amid hyperlinks to to the Tottenham job.

Regardless, he has achieved what he was introduced in to do – restore Celtic because the Scottish soccer’s dominant power – and he has performed so in emphatic style, additionally turning into the supervisor to take the membership previous their nice rivals Rangers on to eight trebles gained.

It was removed from a classic efficiency from Celtic, although, at a sun-soaked and principally inexperienced and white Hampden.

Inverness, who completed sixth within the Championship and had not performed a sport for almost a month, had been effectively drilled by supervisor Billy Dodds and gave valuable few probabilities to an uncharacteristically sluggish Celtic.

However Kyogo has proven all season he solely wants one sight of purpose, and the Japanese striker tucked the ball into the highest nook from Matt O’Riley’s cross for his fifth cup ultimate purpose in a Celtic jersey.

Even the small blue and purple band of Inverness followers might need feared the worst at that time, however their staff caught at it regardless of posing little risk.

Celtic seemed dwelling and hosed by the sixty fifth minute when Abada tapped in Callum McGregor’s cross to make it 2-0, which allowed the membership’s followers to get together within the sunshine on Glasgow’s south aspect.

However from nowhere, Duffy surged down Celtic’s right-hand aspect and picked out a diving MacKay and arrange an thrilling end.

However Celtic celebrations had been solely on maintain for six minutes. Jota went tearing off to rejoice with the delirious followers after taking one contact earlier than burying Abada’s cross to seal the win.

Participant of the match – Matt O’Riley

Postecoglou completes the set – evaluation

Mission completed for Postecoglou and Celtic, even when it was much less emphatic than many anticipated. Their followers, who’re dwelling via an period of dominance, won’t care.

Postecoglou has now gained the whole lot in Scottish soccer, taking Celtic from 25 factors behind Rangers when he arrived to back-to-back champions and now treble winners, whereas bringing an effervescent type of play.

Simply earlier than Celtic lifted the trophy, followers sang in tribute to their totemic supervisor, in one other plea to point out simply how a lot he’s liked in Glasgow’s east finish. The Aussie took all of it in quietly, soaking within the ambiance and applauding, earlier than getting a large cheers when he hoisted the trophy.

Who is aware of what is going on via his head. He has expertly averted saying whether or not he will likely be on the membership subsequent season or not amid persistent hyperlinks to Spurs.

Whether or not he goes or not, his time at Celtic will likely be revered.

As for Inverness, they gave it completely the whole lot and unsurprisingly fell simply brief.

Not enjoying competitively for a month earlier than the ultimate was hardly supreme preparation, however they seemed as if that they had been coached brilliantly within the interim to frustrate Celtic within the first half.

They deserved their purpose on the finish for sheer effort and resilience, and it made for a frantic ultimate couple of minutes. Dodds and his staff can stroll away with their heads held excessive.

What they stated

Celtic supervisor Ange Postecoglou: “I am very proud. It has been a rare season by the boys. We caught individuals abruptly final yr. It is at all times onerous defending issues. The problem was, ‘can we be higher this yr and we push on?’

“We have gained the trophy that eluded us final yr, so it feels nice, it is the final day of the season. It is an event and it was good to complete it off that means.”

Inverness Caley Thistle supervisor Billy Dodds: “I used to be at all times going to have a go however we misplaced targets at unhealthy occasions. I am so pleased with the boys. They gave me the whole lot.

“Talks are ongoing (on a brand new contract) and we hope to get issues tied up, so we’ll see what occurs over the following few days. I like working with these gamers and you may see the staff spirit we have now.”