Winning three successive Scottish Cups is a rare thing which Celtic were unable to do until 2019. No one needs reminding that that success was the third leg of our historic quadruple treble. Just six years on and tomorrow we can again win three successive Scottish Cups.
Aberdeen’s years as a top European side also brought them three successive Scottish Cup wins, beating Rangers twice and Celtic in finals between 1982 – 84. That was part of a run of four Scottish Cups in five seasons, their only defeat at Raith Rovers.
Recent decades have not been so kind to Aberdeen. They last won the Cup in 1990, against Celtic, a 0-0 draw which was settled after each side hit 10 penalties. I’ve never been comfortable with a leftie hitting penalties since. They only reached three of the 34 subsequent finals, losing twice to Rangers and to Celtic to finish our Invincible season in 2017.
Despite that derth of recent success, in my lifetime (May 67), Aberdeen have the upper hand against Celtic in Scottish Cup Finals, winning in 1970, 1984 and that 1990 game. The Invincinble Treble game is our only Scottish Cup Final win against Aberdeen since April 1967. The sides are level on the head-to-head in Scottish Cup Finals, with three wins each.
Final fortunes have been incredible for Celtic this century. Martin O’Neill’s side completed our third treble with a Cup Final win against Hibs in 2001, and Since a 3-2 defeat to Rangers in 2002, we have enjoyed an uninterrupted procession of success, winning 11 successive Scottish Cup Finals. 11 Scottish Cup Finals, 11 wins, no defeats!
In Ronny Deila’s first season we won the League Cup and had the League in the bag, with Inverness in the Scottish Cup semi-final (Falkirk faced Hibs in the other semi). Talk was all about winning the treble. I remember writing, “People who talk about winning a treble have a poor grasp of history”.
The second worst refereeing decision in Scottish football history put an end to that (Dundee United’s goal at Firhill remains in top spot). Even when you are a goal up against a weaker team, should get a penalty with an opponent sent off, football can throw up random events which make always winning incredible unlikely.
That semi defeat to Inverness also broke a run of historical quirks. Celtic won the Cup in 1965 (Dunfermline), 75 (Airdrie), 85 (Dundee United), 95 (Airdrie) and 2005 (Dundee United). 2015 is only year ending in a 5 we didn’t win the Cup since Clyde beat us after a replay in 1955. The only other teams who have won the Cup in a year ending in a 5 are:
Queen’s Park (1875)
Renton (1885)
St Bernard’s (1895)
Third Lanark (1905)
Rangers (1935)
Clyde (1955)
Inverness (2015)
Celtic are the only side to have won the Cup in a year ending in a 5 more than once, and of the seven teams who won it once, four are no longer in existence, while Inverness and Clyde are sailing close to the wind! Less a cup, more a poisoned chalice.
Future generations of Celtic fans will look back at the history records and marvel at all these trophies, all these trebles. It is without doubt the second great Celtic era. It might not have a European Cup, but nor can it. Football is no longer a meritocracy, it denies small nations the same opportunity to win European Cup they had in the last century.
We take our history seriously, so I am not arguing equivalence between this era and the Stein teams. Not yet. But good historians interpret history, they don’t document it. They will write about this Celtic era, without the deferred sensitivity you and I have for the Lions. They will write about brave strategy and how success emerged from an era of financial chicanery in our game. Our kids’ kids will marvel at how lucky we were to live through the Second Great Celtic Era. How lucky we are.
Tomorrow is a game of football in which anything can happen (just remember Inverness 2015). We have no God given right to win the Cup, but I really want this one. Have a special day, if we win, mark it.
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B78- ta,it doesn’t look too good for him unfortunately, a rare condition he has
AN TEARMAN @ 10.44
That’s all very well showing such scenes in Napoli, but what about the litter? Surely the city council made some comment?
Ave Ave
do not underestimate the opposition today and play with the correct attitude and we will be fine , beware of the underdog mentality.
All the very best to Mrs Gene and Gene. One of CQN`s finest.
Art of war (from yesterday)
Will be in Buddy’s Bar, Kardamena in Kos watching game tomorrow if any CQNers are in this neck of the woods.
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Hopefully we are celebrating in the sun later today. I’ll be heading to Hoops Bar in Los Cristianos, Tenerife if any CQN’rs happen to be here.
😁
HH
HH
https://x.com/BBCSportScot/status/1926180187814670600?t=whaRY8T7e4yT-EDQYG7XWw&s=19
https://x.com/BBCSportScot/status/1926180187814670600?t=whaRY8T7e4yT-EDQYG7XWw&s=19
Another goal for Jamesy today – put your money on it.
Celtic by the odd goal is my feeling this won’t be easy or pretty.
2.1
Idah
Maeda
Hopefully double for Mr and Mrs Gene.🍻🍺🍾🍹🎊
Ops. Missed out celebration. Just like Aberdeen 😀
On form, of course Celtic should win but, possibly like many Celtic fans, I can`t help being a bit worried about today.
Come on Celtic ! Put my mind at rest :-))
To be a successful coach at the highest level you need to be an effective communicator whose messaging is clear and unequivocal.
Jurgen Klopp is a top coach.
😄
https://x.com/FabrizioRomano/status/1926156206759891204
CELTIC: Schmeichel, Johnston, Carter-Vickers, Scales, Taylor, McGregor, Engels, Bernardo, Kuhn, Idah, Maeda.
Subs: Sinisalo, Trusty, Yang, McCowan, Schlupp, Kenny, Forrest, Ralston
“Hot Smoked on 24th May 2025 12:59 pm
On form, of course Celtic should win but, possibly like many Celtic fans, I can`t help being a bit worried about today.”
I am no longer worried. I think we are absolute certainties today.
Hail ! Hail !
Hot Smoked on 24th May 2025 1:49 pm
Was it 10 year old MALT that convinced you??????
Hot Smoked,
I am one of those worried. Always am.
Cathac’s brother was telling me they were in the Shipbank yesterday with the rest of the crew. Seems they enjoyed themselves…..
To work Celtic
A treble to work for
Do your best for us and Celtic fans around the planet.
God bless Celtic
Hail Hail
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