Celtic instant analysis as last gasp Idah wins leaves Rangers sickened

The champions weren't at their best on the day but it was Republic of Ireland international striker Idah who popped up after Jack Butland could only parry fellow substitute Paolo Bernardo's 20-yard effort at goal.

In a largely uneventful match, Celtic looked to have a stonewall first-half penalty waved aside after Kyogo Furuhashi's header crashed off Ben Davies's arm but referee Nick Walsh and VAR operative John Beaton were unmoved.

Rangers thought they had scored the opening goal when substitute Abdullah Sima bundled home from close range but this time VAR did intervene and disallowed the goal for a foul on Celtic goalkeeper Joe Hart.

For long spells of the contest, the champions were second best but somehow they dug deep and conjured up a winner as Bernardo strode forward in the 90th minute and unleashed a shot which Butland spilt and Idah was on hand to ram home the winner.

It meant that Hart did get retired double winner in his final career game as Celtic sealed the double.

On the 25th of May, did you really expect anything else?

Were Celtic denied a stonewall penalty?

There was one major flashpoint in the first half which was devoid of any real incident. In the 24th minute, Celtic striker Kyogo Furuhashi headed a cross goalward and the ball came off the hand of Rangers defender Ben Davies. However, no spot-kick was awarded and referee Nick Walsh nor VAR official John Beaton saw anything untoward. It certainly looked like the stonewall variety as similar decisions have been granted all season. The handball also prevents a decent goalscoring chance and Rodgers's men will feel extremely hard done by. Only Walsh and Beaton can answer why Celtic were not afforded the opportunity to take the lead from 12 yards. It was a huge call that did not go in the champions' favour in a game of such magnitude.

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Celtic desperately need an upgrade at centre-back 

It is fair to say that the Irishman hasn't let anybody down this season and earned a new bumper deal. However, on this showing, it is evident that Celtic needs reinforcements in the central defensive position in the summer. Scales at times looked cumbersome and whilst he can carry a ball many yards up the field he also takes rushes of blood to the head and doesn't know how to execute the final pass. His distribution on the Hampden Park surface was abysmal at times and he caused his own team's problems. He struggled for most of the opening period and was uncomfortable even when being asked to perform the most basic and simplest of passes. He was not alone in that sense, but he was in danger of straying into liability territory. Rodgers is wise enough to know that the Celtic defence is in desperate need of a revamp in time for the new Champions League format next season. Moving forward Scales will revert to being a squad player.

Celtic has to sign Idah 

Idah scores the winner (Image: Craig Foy - SNS Group)

What a priceless goal for Idah. That's 16 points and a Scottish Cup success that the Irishman's goals have yielded this season. There are no two ways about it Celtic needs to pay Norwich's asking price. He is proving to be worth his weight in gold. How he enjoyed his Hampden moment and how Rodgers must feel completely vindicated at bringing him north of the border from Carrow Road in January. He has turned out to be a real difference-maker for Celtic. He has been an absolute sensation for Celtic and he deserves a permanent deal. Two goals against Hibs, a brace against Motherwell, a strike at Ibrox and a Scottish Cup-winning goal. He has been a vital cog in Rodgers's green and white machine. He is the raw material and he will only get better. Take a bow Adam Idah, take a bow.

This was the leveller in more ways than one

Celtic's Scottish Cup victory made it 169 wins in this fixture apiece as well as 118 trophies apiece. Level pegging indeed. How Celtic have waited for this moment in their long and illustrious history. Rodgers and the fans knew the significance of it and whilst they failed to deliver a performance on the day they did what all winners do and found a way to win. That's how to win a cup final. What is it they say about it being better to be lucky than good at times? Rodgers's incredible record at Hampden continues as he has never lost a Scottish Cup tie and that's an incredible 18 derbies with just one defeat to his name.