And there it is!! The quadruple treble has been won as Celtic secured the Scottish Cup in dramatic fashion.
A crazy encounter swung all over the place as the Hoops roared into a 2-0 first-half lead courtesy of goals from Ryan Christie and Odsonne Edouard. However, in the second 45, two cross balls led to goals for Liam Boyce and Stephen Kingsley. Leigh Griffiths and then Josh Ginnelly traded extra-time efforts as the game went to penalties.
Conor Hazard proved to be the hero with two major saves in the penalty shootout. But my goodness it was an absolute whirlwind of a game.
There were still worrying signs today as our defensive cracks reappeared. However, regardless, we take a look at the player ratings as the quadruple treble was secured:
Conor Hazard – 7
The hero in the end, with two superb penalty saves. Looked a tad dodgy from cross-balls but that didn’t matter in the end. Two massive moments won Celtic the quadruple treble. That can’t be taken away from him.
Kristoffer Ajer – 7
He’s getting used to this right-back lark. Bombed up and down the right and played a key part in the build-up to Christie’s opener. His runs opened up Hearts consistently and gave us a platform to get at our opponents. However, the first Hearts goal came down his side. Scored the winning penalty.
Shane Duffy – 6
Good for the most part and bulleted away everything that came his way in the first half. However, was too far apart from Boyce for the Hearts goal. Then got caught in an embarrassing mix-up with Jullien that should’ve led to 2-2 before it did. Struggled in the second half.
Christopher Jullien – 7
Was decent for the 90 minutes I felt and was dealing with Boyce and Naismith easily. He was putting the notion he couldn’t deal with powerful strikers to bed. Not individually at fault for any goal and made some vital blocks, but started to ma
Greg Taylor – 7
Very confident on the ball and his close control got us out of some difficult situations. Was happy to put constant deliveries into the penalty area. He did this more successfully than against Kilmarnock last week too. Not many hit the first man, and he was part of a well-oiled machine for the most part.
Scott Brown – 6.5
Up and down from Brown. Was aggressive and controlled in the midfield in the first 45 – winding up Halliday and Naismith whilst he was at it. In the second half he was messier – giving posession away far too easily and letting things pass him by. The game needed Soro in the second 45.
David Turnbull – 7
Another who didn’t let the occasion get to him. Turned his opposition midfielders well at times and did well to find team-mates in space. Went for some ambitious balls – some came off and some didn’t. Always forward-thinking and his freshness into this Celtic team is continuing. Didn’t deserve to come off.
Callum McGregor – 6
Performance of two halves from McGregor. Energetic and winning all of the second-balls in the midfield. It’s no surprise we were cruising when he was on form. In the second half he was barely in the game and was too happy to move the ball back.
Ryan Christie – 6.5
Stunning opener set the tone and allowed Celtic to seize control of the game early on. Combined superbly with Ajer in the first 45 and was moving the ball at such a quick tempo. Quietened in the second half and didn’t make much of an impact after that.
Mohamed Elyounoussi – 4
Barely in the game. The odd piece of decent link-up play but there was nothing there to be too pleased about. He needs to step up more in these games. Held onto the ball well enough, but there was no dynamism to him whatsoever.
Odsonne Edouard – 6
Wonderful penalty looked to have won the game for Celtic, but his subsequent chances should’ve done. Got on the end of two terrific crosses from McGregor and failed to find the net. Didn’t dominate enough in the final third but did set-up a decent chance for Elyounoussi with some good footwork.
The Subs
Tom Rogic (4) – On for the final 20 mins and showed some decent feet. Looked livelier in extra-time.
Jeremie Frimpong (2) -Next to no impact after coming on.
Diego Laxalt (2) – Same as above.
Mikey Johnston (4) – On for extra-time and injected some life into things.
Leigh Griffiths (7) – Bagged in extra-time to think he had won it.
Ismaila Soro – (2) – Didn’t see much of him, thrown on at the death
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