Brendan Rodgers’ side become club legends

William Hill Scottish Cup Final

Celtic 2-0 Motherwell

Saturday, 19 May 2018, kick-off 3pm
Hampden Park, Glasgow

Celtic: Callum McGregor (11), Olivier Ntcham (25)

Celtic wrapped up their sixth trophy in two years, sealing an unprecedented double treble, further cementing themselves as the dominant force in Scottish football.

Boyhood Celtic supporter Callum McGregor's dreams came true in the Scottish Cup Final when he rattled home the opener and Olivier Ntcham notched from outside the box to score the second.

The match was played in the manner the Celtic supporters have become used to under Brendan Rodgers with their side easing to victory.

Motherwell had spells of pressure but it wasn’t enough to do what was required and Celtic marched on to one of the biggest achievements in the club’s history.

How the match played out

Celtic found their footing in the game early on and went on to dominate the opening periods, grabbing Motherwell by the throat and refusing to relent.

The hero of the 2016 Final, Tom Rogic had a chance to open the scoring early on with a shot from outside the box but the ball flew wide of the target.

11 minutes on the clock and Celtic took the lead when Callum McGregor latched onto a Motherwell clearance, controlling the ball with his left foot and hammering into the corner with his right boot.

Three minutes later Moussa Dembele raked a half volley over the bar.

25 minutes gone and Celtic made it two when Moussa Dembele laid off Olivier Ntcham who slid the ball home from the edge of the box with a low shot into the corner of the net.

Celtic continued to dominate but were unable to notch a third before the break.

Motherwell flew out of the traps in the second period and nearly scored a goal of their own through Curtis Main but Craig Gordon was equal to his stinging drive.

The Celtic supporters knew a double treble was on its way and in the second period they made their voices heard, rejoicing before the final whistle had sounded.

With 65 minutes gone, Moussa Dembele thought he’d made it three but his close range shot flew by the post.

Just moments later the Frenchmen was denied on two occasions by magnificent Trevor Carson saves.

Motherwell still believed however and substitute Gael Bigirimana nearly brought them back into proceedings but his free-kick from on the periphery of the box smashed the goal frame.

It wasn't to be for Motherwell though on a day when Celtic were at the forefront.

Man of the Match

Moussa Dembele has become an icon for Celtic supporters and he was on song again, providing a presence up front, pestering the Motherwell defenders and could count himself unlucky not to get himself on the scoresheet.

Match Stats


Possession: Celtic 61%-39% Motherwell

Shots: Celtic 16-10 Motherwell

Fouls committed: Celtic 9-20 Motherwell

Corners: Celtic 8-6 Motherwell

Post-match thoughts

 

 

Line-ups

Celtic: Craig Gordon, Scott Brown (Captain), Moussa Dembele, Tom Rogic (Stuart Armstrong, 72), Dedryck Boyata, Olivier Ntcham, Mikael Lustig, Kristoffer Ajer (Jozo Simunovic, 75), Callum McGregor, James Forrest (Scott Sinclair, 89), Kieran Tierney

Unused substitutes: Scott Bain, Patrick Roberts, Leigh Griffiths, Eboue Kouassi

Motherwell: Trevor Carson, Richard Tait, Liam Grimshaw, Chris Cadden, Carl McHugh (Captain) (Gael Bigirimana, 56), Curtis Main, Ryan Bowman, Charles Dunne, Tom Aldred, Cedric Kipre, Allan Campbell (Elliott Frear, 78)

Unused substitutes: Russell Griffiths, Peter Hartley, Deimanatas Petravicius, David Turnbull, Barry Maguire

Offences

Celtic

Cautions: Dedryck Boyata (79)

Motherwell

Cautions: Richard Tait (34), Liam Grimshaw (42), Allan Campbell (63)

Match officials

Referee: Kevin Clancy
Assistant Referee One: Douglas Ross
Assistant Referee Two: David Roome
Fourth Official: Steven McLean
Additional Assistant Referee One: Don Robertson
Additional Assistant Referee Two: Nick Walsh

Attendance: 49,967