Kyogo set Celtic on their way to another Treble triumph at Hampden.
Ange Postecoglou’s side secured a 41st success in the Scottish Cup by defeating Inverness Caley Thistle at the National Stadium. More importantly, the victory allowed Celtic to complete their fifth domestic clean sweep in seven seasons and take their total to a world-record number of eight.
Kyogo smacked his 34th goal of the season to give the favourites an interval advantage and strikes from sub Liel Abada and Jota in the second-half sealed the deal. Success capped a magnificent campaign for Postecoglou in what could be his last match as the manager with Spurs interested in his managerial skills. The boss was adamant he would not lose focus amid the speculation and links to the English Premier League giants beforehand and his troops delivered a fifth trophy out of six on his domestic watch.
Billy Dodds’ side fought and scrapped. The underdogs gave their all. And, despite falling 2-0 down, their battling qualities and fighting spirit enabled them to stay in it until almost the final kick after a diving header from sub Dan Mackay six minutes from time reduced the deficit for a brief spell.
But they just didn’t have enough and Jota’s injury-time clincher snuffed out any hopes of the Highlanders forcing extra-time to keep alive hope of repeating the club’s famous 2015 triumph. Celtic were not at their blistering best, but they found the clinical touches as they always have done under their boss to secure the silverware and were on their way by the interval with a trademark Kyogo finish.
Inverness had worked hard to stay in the game, but Matt O’Riley’s run into the box eight minutes from the turnaround wasn’t tracked and his ball into the central area was perfect for the striker who rifled a first-time shot high into the net.
The Highlanders kept fighting, but Celtic moved further clear when a sweeping 65th minute move involving Hatate, O’Riley and Jota ended with Callum McGregor squaring for Abada to clip home the second. Inverness refused to give it up and, with six minutes remaining, a superb cross from Wallace Duffy was bulleted home by the head of sub Dan Mackay.
It gave the travelling fans from the Highlands a moment to celebrate, but the real celebrations stayed with the Celtic fans as their team responded to seal it. Sub Oh Hyeon-gyu’s clever pass sent Abada sprinting towards the byline and his lob to the far post found Jota. The Portuguese calmly took a touch on his chest before shooting past Mark Ridgers to kickstart the wild celebrations. Here's 5 talking points from Hampden
The last dance for Ange?
Postecoglou was determined that nothing was going to get in the way of him leading Celtic to their Treble and he was as good as his word. However, with the champions and Viaplay Cup holders now having sealed the clean sweep, the attention switches immediately to the future of the gaffer. Spurs are interested and things could move at pace if they firm that up with an official approach. Postecoglou would be a big loss, but he’s been a breath of fresh air in the past two years. If he goes, he’ll surely go with the best wishes of most clear-thinking supporters. If he stays, more good times are ahead.
Just too big a Bill
Billy Dodds had just about everything going against him heading into the Final. His team were against the champions of the country and the fact they hadn’t had a competitive match in almost a month prior to Hampden was hardly much of a help. The Championship outfit were huge underdogs and needed everything to go their way to have any chance. They covered space and tracked runners for as long as they could, but the dam broke just before half-time. It was real courage to keep fighting at 2-0 down and get their goal through Dan MacKay, but the damage had been done. Heads were held high at full-time. It was a brilliant run to Hampden. Ultimately, as they have been for everyone else in the country, Celtic were just too strong.
Kyogo a big-game master
The Japanese striker has enjoyed a sensational campaign and it is the ability to step up in the biggest moments which make him so impressive and important. The Asian hadn’t been in the contest until his first chance and he buried it.
Two goals in each of his last two Finals of the League Cup against Hibs and Rangers and opening goals at that. Then this one. The attacker’s talent to deliver when it really counts is what has made him Scotland’s Player of the Year. He was only on the park for 58 minutes, but scored and should have a second with his few touches. Just lethal.
Matt provides a gloss
O’Riley doesn’t often get as much credit as many of his more high-profile colleagues such as Callum McGregor and Reo Hatate. But he has been an integral part of the campaign with an outstanding appearance record. He brought the record of best midfield assists in the Premiership into Hampden and again was the one who started to find the gaps and pick the holes. The way he engineered himself into an area of the box to create the opener for Kyogo was top class. He is yet another one of those performances who always produces for his team and was involved again at the second goal from Abada which clinched it.
Kick off time controversy
There was much debate in the lead-up to the Final about the decision to stage the match at 5.30pm to avoid a clash with the English equivalent. Naturally, due to the distances involved, it was Inverness fans who would have been more affected, although Celtic does have a huge amount of fans who travel from outside of Glasgow and the country. In terms of the spectacle, it didn’t little to take away from the atmosphere with the stadium made up mainly of Celtic fans who were there for a party and got what they went for.
