Callum McGregor goal helps Celtic to Scottish Cup final win over Motherwell

The conclusion to a second season at Celtic for Brendan Rodgers delivered the manager’s finest moment. If Rodgers was not revered by Celtic’s followers before, he will be now. This now famous Celtic side, under the guidance of the 45-year-old, has marched into the history books; again and with consummate ease.

Jock Stein could not return successive domestic trebles when in charge of Celtic. Neither could Martin O’Neill. No Scottish side had achieved back-to-back clean sweeps until this sunny afternoon on Glasgow’s south side, when Motherwell were left chasing shadows. Sometimes football really is blissfully simple; this encounter perfectly encapsulated what should happen when a dominant force meets the side who finished seventh in the top flight. Any sense that Celtic’s support are growing bored by their monopoly was undermined by the scale – and sound – of their celebrations here.

Rodgers, whose career in management lacked tangible reward before the arrival at his boyhood heroes, has now won six trophies from a possible six. But for the European stage, where Celtic have struggled to make an impact under the former Liverpool manager, Rodgers would be running out of targets. Steven Gerrard’s imminent arrival at Rangers has generated considerable interest but the chasm between Celtic and the rest in Scotland should not be underplayed. Occasions such as this only highlight as much.

The outcome was apparent from its early stages. It was wholly fitting that Callum McGregor not only set Celtic on course for victory but remained a prominent figure as Motherwell grasped desperately for air. McGregor’s career was not exactly stagnating before Rodgers took office but the improvement in the midfielder has been stunning.

There is a legitimate argument that the development of McGregor, James Forrest, Tom Rogic and Kieran Tierney has been far more of a Celtic success story for Rodgers than what he has derived from the transfer market. McGregor was curiously omitted from player of the year lists; there have been few, if any, more consistent players in Scotland this season.

Motherwell’s manager, Stephen Robinson, can cite sloppiness in Charles Dunne’s 11th-minute clearance. Still, McGregor had work to do when pouncing on the ball 20 yards from goal. The 24-year-old displayed wonderful technique to slam a half-volley into Trevor Carson’s net via the inside of his right post.

Motherwell had not been comprehensively outplayed by this stage but their plan was always likely to collapse with the loss of the opening goal. Their task was to become even more stern before the interval as Olivier Ntcham, now an integral part of Rodgers’s plans after a slow start upon arrival from Manchester City, collected a layoff from Moussa Dembélé before drilling a low finish beyond Carson. With just 25 minutes played, it was impossible to ignore the sense that this tie was over.

Motherwell were afforded an opportunity in the 28th minute that they really needed to take. Curtis Main, handed a rare sight of goal as Celtic’s central defence dozed, blazed high over Craig Gordon’s crossbar.

Celtic should have been further ahead by the interval, Rogic instead placing a tame effort into the hands of Carson.

Main was denied by a fine Gordon save, three minutes after the restart, as Motherwell chased salvation. Yet it was Celtic who continued to dominate the ball and, in turn, the match. Rodgers and his players appealed in vain for a penalty as Dembélé tumbled under a challenge from Tom Aldred. The France striker subsequently fired wide from close range, Forrest having created the chance. Dembélé’s next chance saw Carson produce a stunning save to thwart a header.

To their credit, Motherwell did not curl into a submissive position and finished on the front foot. Chris Cadden capitalised on slack play by Scott Brown before charging towards the Celtic penalty area. Dedryck Boyata hauled Cadden back, a yard from where a penalty would have been awarded. Gaël Bigirimana cracked the resultant Motherwell free-kick against the bar.

In what may well be his final Celtic appearance, the excellent Dembélé was denied the goal he appeared desperate for. Another winner’s medal will serve as reasonable consolation. Rodgers has made the receipt of silverware a Celtic formality.