Socceroos' Tom Rogic becomes Celtic legend with Scottish Cup final winner

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Tom Rogic has admitted his Scottish Cup final winner was what dreams are made of after his stoppage-time solo goal clinched the treble for Celtic.

The Socceroos midfielder glided into the penalty box and beat several players before squeezing a right-footed shot past Joe Lewis to clinch a 2-1 victory over Aberdeen.

The goal sealed Celtic's fourth treble in its history and provided a memorable end to an unforgettable season in which the Hoops remained unbeaten in 47 domestic games.

"I picked up the ball and just tried to be positive and space just opened up for me. It was a pretty special moment," Rogic said.

"It was something you dream of. You know, the importance of it.

"It's been a long season and to do what we have done as a collective group, go unbeaten and then to seal it like that, to get the treble in the last minute of the last game of the season is something we will look back on forever."

Rogic started the game on the bench but came on in the 27th minute after Kieran Tierney went off with an injury to his mouth after being caught by Jayden Stockley's flailing arm.

And the substitute admitted fate may have intervened as he struck the winner just as a bolt of lightning lit up the sky over Hampden amid a thunderstorm.

"Someone just told me that but I didn't realise at the time," the 24-year-old said. "Maybe it was meant to be."

AP

Topics: scotland-soccer, soccer, sport, scotland, united-kingdom</s>GLASGOW: A stoppage time strike from Australian international Tom Rogic saw Celtic come from behind to defeat Aberdeen 2-1 to lift the Scottish Cup and seal a historic domestic treble the hard way.

Jonny Hayes gave Aberdeen a ninth minute lead, which was quickly cancelled out by Celtic’s Stuart Arms­trong two minutes later.

The game looked destined for extra time before substitute Rogic scored a superb solo goal in the second minute of added on time to break the Dons’ supporters hearts and ensure Celtic won the Scottish Cup for a record-extending 37th time.

The Hoops are now the first Scottish team to end a season unbeaten domestically as Brendan Rodgers joins Jock Stein and Martin O’Neill as the only Celtic managers to lead the Glasgow giants to all three major honours in the same season.

“It is a monumental achievement,” the Celtic manager said of his side’s first treble since 2001.

“It was a very tough game and obviously to win it as we did was special. It’s an incredible feeling and congratulations to the players.”

“I think that any time you lose a game in injury time is difficult but it’s compounded by it being a cup final,” McInnes said.

The conditions didn’t seem to bother the fired up Aberdeen players as their high-tempo start paid off when Hayes fired them into the lead. Leigh Griffiths switched off at a Niall McGinn corner allowing the Irishman space to send a low volley into the net despite the best efforts of Kieran Tierney on the line.

Aberdeen’s lead lasted just two minutes as Armstrong hauled Celtic level. Callum McGregor danced past a couple of tackles before slipping the ball across the edge of the box to Armstrong, who lashed a low shot between a couple of Dons defenders and into the bottom right-hand corner.

Celtic’s joy was short-lived as left-back Tierney was forced off with a mouth injury after being caught in the face by Jayden Stockley’s swinging arm. The introduction of Socceroo star Rogic saw Celtic switch to a back three with Niall McGinn, Ryan Jack and Stockley forcing Craig Gordon into saves as the Hoops struggled to adjust to the change.

A reorganised Celtic emerged after the break and immediately came close when Griffiths got behind the Dons defense only to see his deflected shot bounce narrowly wide. Sinclair then beat the offside trap to collect a lofted pass from Rogic but Joe Lewis was off his line quickly to block his shot.

However, it was the Dons who should have found themselves in front again. Hayes robbed McGregor of possession just inside the Celtic half and ran at goal but his pass across the box was behind Kenny McLean and a glorious chance was spurned.

Patrick Roberts, who missed the U20 World Cup with England to play in the final, then looked to inspire the Hoops as he twisted and turned on the edge of the box before firing a shot that cannoned off the base of the post.

Player of the year Sinclair then fluffed a chance to win as he completely miss-hit his volley from a Griffiths pass allowing Lewis to make the save.

It didn’t matter though, as Rogic glided past two Dons defenders before rifling an angled shot low under Lewis to beat the ‘keeper and seal victory in the week that the Hoops celebrated the 50th anniversary of their European Cup win.</s>Brendan Rodgers and Celtic are history makers. When anyone claims winning trophies in Scotland is akin to defeating a hamster at chess, this Scottish Cup final should be used as the perfect counter-point. Not that it mattered as Celtic celebrations got underway; an indelible mark as been entered into Scottish football’s record books.

It took a titanic battle with Aberdeen for Celtic to complete a clean sweep of domestic trophies. This is unprecedented territory for Celtic, with Rodgers only the third manager in the club’s illustrious history to win a treble. It was, though, impossible not to feel sorry for Derek McInnes and Aberdeen, who contributed so much to this final before quality – and fitness – told.

In 1970, an Aberdeen Scottish Cup success over Celtic prevented the Glasgow club from claiming a treble. Aberdeen returned to Hampden having not lifted Scotland’s premier knockout trophy since 1990; Celtic again provided opposition in the final.

This time, McInnes took the perhaps surprising option of naming Adam Rooney amongst the Aberdeen substitutes. The Dubliner, despite having 19 goals to his name this season, was regarded as second choice to Jayden Stockley presumably on the grounds of physicality.

Stockley displayed precisely that robust approach on 21 minutes. His arm caught Kieran Tierney in the mouth in front of the technical area, with the young Celtic full-back immediately and clearly in distress. After a lengthy delay, and on account of considerable bleeding, Tierney’s game was over. Replays were inconclusive regarding whether what Stockley did was illegal – his elbow certainly wasn’t flailing – with only the player himself knowing about any element of intent.

By that stage, the teams had already traded goals. This was breathless, brilliantly entertaining stuff, with Aberdeen using the early stages so demonstrate they wouldn’t cow to Celtic’s lofty status. The Premier League champions, in fact, were more rattled during the first half than at any juncture in their domestic season.

Aberdeen hoped recent history was on their side. The last 12 teams to score first in the Scottish Cup final ultimately won the game. Jonny Hayes provided the men from the North East that hope, having raced on to a Niall McGinn corner to send a first time shot past the despairing Tierney and into the Celtic net. Leigh Griffiths had been woefully lazy in allowing Hayes to beat him to the ball; a matter for which the Celtic striker visibly apologised to his goalkeeper Craig Gordon in the aftermath.

Celtic’s response, as befitting champions, was instant. Aberdeen didn’t properly halt a Callum McGregor run, with the ball breaking to Stuart Armstrong 22 yards from goal. The midfielder took a couple of steps forward before taking advantage of sluggish Shay Logan defending when picking his spot for perhaps an under-appreciated shot.

Aberdeen’s confidence wasn’t blunted by Celtic’s intervention. In fact, they remained the better team until the interval. Gordon batted away efforts from McGinn and Ryan Jack before doing likewise to a net-bound Andy Considine header. And yet, curiously, it was Celtic who rued the worst miss of the opening 45 minutes, by Scott Sinclair after a tremendous Griffiths cross found him just three yards from goal. Sinclair, who has been prolific during his first season in Scotland, somehow scooped the ball over the crossbar.

Griffiths saw a shot deflected narrowly wide, five minutes after the re-start, as Rodgers’ team looked to finally assert their superior talent. That wasn’t the signal for an onslaught, though; Aberdeen passed up a glorious opportunity as Hayes failed to find the onrushing and free Kenny McLean with a cut-back.

With the game now ebbing and flowing to the point it provided captivating viewing, the hitherto subdued Patrick Roberts struck the outside of the Aberdeen post. Dedryck Boyata was next to threaten the Aberdeen goal with a diving header which carried plenty of power but insufficient accuracy.

With 15 minutes to play, Aberdeen fatigue set in. Celtic spent the closing stages laying siege on their opponents’ penalty area, with Sinclair again guilty of fluffing his lines when handed a simple chance to put his team in front. Strangely, with the match edging towards extra time and potency required, Rodgers resisted any temptation to introduce the fit again Moussa Dembele from among his replacements.

As with virtually everything that has happened since he arrived in Glasgow, Rodgers was proven right. Tom Rogic burst forward from midfield before sneaking his shot home at the near post. Celtic were delirious, Aberdeen broken.</s>Celtic sealed a historic treble after Tom Rogic's stoppage-time winner handed them victory over a valiant Aberdeen side in the Scottish Cup final.</s>Celtic have become the first team in Scottish football history to complete an entire domestic season unbeaten following their late 2-1 Scottish Cup final victory over Aberdeen.

Goals from Stuart Armstrong and a stoppage time winners from Tom Rogic handed Celtic their 37th Scottish Cup win, in the week in which the club celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Lisbon Lions’ European Cup defeat of Inter Milan.

The win means Celtic have gone through 47 games this season without defeat – 48 if including last season – winning the Ladbrokes Premiership, Scottish Cup and Betfred Cup.

It is the fourth treble in the club’s history, Brendan Rodgers joining illustrious company in Martin O’Neill and Jock Stein, who achieved it twice.

The treble was first obtained in that memorable 1966-1967 season, with the second coming two seasons later.

Martin O’Neill took the Hoops league, Scottish Cup and League cup success in the 2000-2001 season.

As well as the trio of trophies Rodgers has also led Celtic to a record points total.</s>GLASGOW, Scotland (AP) - Celtic completed a trophy treble in Scottish soccer and finished the domestic season undefeated after beating Aberdeen 2-1 in the Scottish Cup final thanks to an injury-time goal on Saturday.

Midfielder Tom Rogic scored from an acute angle in the second minute of stoppage time at Hampden Park to ensure Celtic added the cup to the Scottish Premiership and the Scottish League Cup.

Brendan Rodgers became the third manager, after Jock Stein (1967, 1969) and Martin O'Neill (2001), to lead Celtic to a treble of domestic titles.

Celtic hasn't lost any of its 47 games across in the league and both cups, and is the first team to go through the whole of a Scottish domestic season unbeaten.</s>According to the bookies the result is a formality.

They say Celtic are odds-on to win the William Hill Scottish Cup Final. No surprise either given Brendan Rodgers side’s imperious form all season.

But it’s a one-off match and anything can happen so will it be Aberdeen’s day or will the bookies (and the majority of pundits) be proved right?

Here’s how our writers think it will shake down...

Celtic have been convincing all season and there is no reason why they won't go on and complete the Treble. Aberdeen will be tough, but the champions have too many guns.

Nothing will stop Rodgers’s Hoops on their relentless march to an historic Invincible Treble.

Sorry Reds you’re going to have to settle for being bridesmaids again.

Celtic to win with a bit to spare.

Here’s the deal. Celtic play to this season’s high standards and it’s their trophy. So it’s up to Aberdeen to disrupt them, spoil their flow, get in their faces, dig even deeper than they did when they gave them a tough 80 minutes at Pittodrie.

If they can do all that AND score first AND get the breaks at the right time, they might just snatch one of the greatest results in their history.

It's inconceivable that Aberdeen can make the same mistakes against Celtic they've made before.

Stalling on the start line the last time out at Pittodrie and handing them a three-goal start before they even joined the race.Stalling on the start line in the League Cup Final and handing them a three-goal win without ever actually joining the race.They have to stay in the game as long as they can here - it's the only way.

Celtic have too much quality for them, for everyone, as they've shown all season, so Dons' only hope is to keep them at bay long enough to plant a seed of doubt in their head that their Treble isn't a foregone conclusion. Start them fretting, feeling a bit of pressure to deliver. But no matter what McInnes does, Rodgers' in-game management is deft enough to deal with it.

Aberdeen are clearly the second best team in the country, have been all season - and that's what they'll end up again. It's Celtic's game and Celtic's day of destiny.

Sadly for Derek McInnes, there's nothing his players can do to stop Celtic winning this Treble. The Dons won't make the same mistakes they made in the League Cup Final but, ultimately, Rodgers' side are too good going forward and Aberdeen's weakness is at the back. A goal in either half can win it for the Hoops.

Last season's Scottish Cup Final was an instant classic and this could be more of the same. Aberdeen have played well in parts of four of the five defeats against Celtic this season, but they will have to put together a complete performance to rock the Invincibles.

Celtic know if they play their best they will win, but complacency won't be on the agenda as they hunt their first Treble in 16 years. There could be goals at both ends, but Celtic have too much firepower and will find a way to complete the perfect season.

Celtic have had the whiff of history in their nostrils for weeks and will not baulk from the sweet smell of success in the Final.

They have too much quality, pace and creativity for an Aberdeen side, who would be strongly fancied to win the trophy in any other season but this one.

Anyone expecting a Celtic treble winning formality will be well wide of the mark as Aberdeen are more than capable of winning this game. They won't, but it'll go right to the final whistle and it'll have more than a few twists along the way.

Call me mad, brand me delusional but I’ve got a sneaky feeling Graeme Shinnie will be the one lifting the Cup come around 5pm. Celtic are by far the best side in the country but every underdog can have its day.</s>Making history is not easy! - Rodgers lauds Celtic's identity after Scottish Cup triumph

Celtic had to suffer to make history in their Scottish Cup final victory against Aberdeen, according to manager Brendan Rodgers.

Brendan Rodgers says Celtic have created an "identity" after Tom Rogic's stunning goal earned them a last-gasp 2-1 win against Aberdeen in the Scottish Cup final to secure an unbeaten domestic treble.

In the closing stages of what was a thrilling contest at Hampden Park, Rogic powered into Aberdeen's area to dispatch a superb finish past the outstanding Joe Lewis to send the Celtic fans into delirium - just two days after the 50th anniversary of the club's European Cup triumph in Lisbon.

It represents Celtic's first treble since 2001, and Rodgers - who has restored his reputation at Celtic after a disappointing end to his time at Liverpool - was quick to laud his history-making side.

"It's an incredible feeling. It was a very tough game but if you want to make history it never comes easy - you have to suffer," he told Sky Sports.

"This might be a once-in-a-lifetime achievement. To go through a league season unbeaten, to win a treble. But we've created an identity, and from that we can get better."

Aberdeen had the better of proceedings in the first half, though Stuart Armstrong's equaliser quickly cancelled out Jonny Hayes' early opener.

Celtic dominated after the restart, but failed to make their possession pay until the 92nd minute, when Rogic's moment of magic claimed the win.

"Give credit to all of the Celtic and Aberdeen players, but as the game wore on our quality and movement paid dividends," Rodgers continued.

"We left it late but we did have two or three really good opportunities that we should have taken before that.

"The first half wasn't so good. We weren't fluid, and maybe a bit nervous. But we stayed calm and hopefully over time they would start to tire and that's what happened."

Meanwhile, Celtic captain Scott Brown paid tribute to Rodgers, acknowledging that Aberdeen - who finished as runners-up in both the Scottish Premiership and League Cup - provided the toughest challenge of the season.

"We know that when we turn up we're the best team in Scotland, but Aberdeen gave us a great game today.

"This is the best feeling ever. From this team, nobody was expecting it. At the start of the season the gaffer has come in and changed the philosophy. We deserve this."</s>For only the fourth time in the club’s history, Celtic completed the treble with a late, late win over Aberdeen in the Scottish Cup final at Hampden Park, a win which confirmed their unbeaten domestic season. The first time it has been achieved in the history of Scottish football.

In an engrossing 90 minutes Aberdeen took the lead in the ninth minute through Jonny Hayes before Stuart Armstrong levelled moments later. The game flowed back and forth with both goalkeepers in fine form. Aberdeen were hanging on at the end but it seemed that Celtic would have to wait at least 30 more minutes before making history.

Enter Tom Rogic. A wonderful solo run and goal handed Celtic the final piece of their famous season.

Having conceded six goals to Celtic in the opening 25 minutes of matches this season, Aberdeen knew that they couldn’t afford to concede an early goal. They started with a positive mindset and proactive game plan. Kenny McLean was pushed up to support Jayden Stockley with Ryan Jack back into the middle of midfield with Graeme Shinnie.

They turned their strong opening into a goal just short of the 10th minute mark. Stockely and Hayes worked a one-two down Aberdeen’s right-hand side to earn a corner. Niall McGinn swung the cross deep into the Celtic box where it was met by Hayes who had caught Griffiths ball-watching and met the ball on the half-volley, the pace making it nigh on impossible for Craig Gordon to keep it out.

The perfect start for the Dons. But the old adage goes, you are at your most vulnerable when you have just scored. Less than two minutes after Aberdeen’s celebrations had ended Celtic’s had started.

Celtic immediately went on the front foot getting possession deep in the Aberdeen half. They moved the ball around the centre, enticing Aberdeen’s midfield to press the ball which helped create space for Armstrong. The Dons defence backed off with Shay Logan reluctant to close down the Celtic midfielder who has netted from outside the box throughout the season. Armstrong zipped a left-footed effort into the bottom corner for his 17th of the season.

It would have expected to be the turning point in the afternoon, Celtic finding their rythm and dominating the encounter, but Aberdeen did not let them do so. They continued to press the Celtic midfield, forcing the defenders to send the ball long, similar to what McInnes’ men did to Hibs in the semi-final.

Controversy soon followed. In the 26th minute Kieran Tierney had to be replaced by Tom Rogic. It was several minutes after he had been felled by a Stockley elbow. The striker was being marked by the left-back and turned swiftly, catching the 20-year-old with his arm.

Celtic’s medical team tried in earnest to stop the bleeding but were unable to, Tierney leaving the pitch while pointing an accusatory finger at Stockley.

The incident added an extra element to the game, namely needle. And, if anything, it only effected Celtic further, missing the drive Tierney provided from deep with Callum McGregor slotting into the position.

By the 30 minute mark Craig Gordon was required to beat away two efforts in the matter of seconds. Aberdeen won the ball high before Niall McGinn followed by Jack had long-range efforts repelled by Scotland’s number one.

He was called into action a few minutes later when Stockley met a corner but could only direct the ball straight at Gordon who scrambled the ball to safety.

Celtic were frustrated and flustered. With Scott Brown tamed, Celtic lacked rhythm. Patrick Roberts was quiet, Scott Sinclair was dropping deep to get possession, while Griffiths was left to feed off scraps. The key man was Armstrong who was constantly trying to drive his team forward.

Armstrong won the free-kick which Griffiths curled over the bar before, in the fifth minute of stoppage time, the striker pulled wide and sent a delicious cross into the corridor of uncertainty, met by Sinclair in the six-yard box but the Englishman inexplicably sent it over the bar.

In many occasions half-time is not welcomed as it takes the pace and intensity out of games. This was not the case at Hampden. Within the first eight minutes of the second half both teams could have scored two.

Celtic counter-attakced Aberdeen through the speedy Sinclair, the forward slipping the ball through to Griffiths who had done his trademark and pulled away from the Aberdeen defence. Turning on to his left-foot, Griffiths’ effort was deflected narrowly wide. Two minutes later it was Sinclair’s turn to be fed, Rogic plyaing a cute pass behind the Dons defence to meet the wide-man’s run. Joe Lewis was out quick to thwart the threat.

Betweeb those two Celtic chances Kenny McLean sent an inswinging cross agonisingly past the far post before a glorious chance for Aberdeen to retake the lead in the 53rd minute.

Brown had put McGregor in danger with a pass out to the left. Hayes read the situation, picking the pocket of the make-shift left-back and haring towards goal. He opted to play in McLean but the midfielder had made his run too early and ended up falling over the ball with the goal at his mercy.

Roberts came into the encounter in fine form and had been linked with a move to the Bundesliga, potentially setting the afternoon up to be his. Yet, for the first hour he had been on the periphery of the game. However, he is a player who produces moments. He almost did just that past the hour mark.

Getting the ball outside the box, Roberts twisted left and right, tying Mark Reynolds in knots. He worked the ball on to his favoured left before sending a curling effort goalwards only to be denied by a brilliant Lewis save, tipping the ball on to the post.

This was a tremendous Scottish Cup final. Still 1-1, but could easily have been 4-4 as the game entered the last 20 minutes.

Somehow the score was still level when Dedryck Boyata met a corner right in front of goal but thundered a header over. Aberdeen responded with a Shinnie effort from long-range which was pushed away by Gordon.

Even with Adam Rooney on in place of Stockley, the Dons were retreating towards their goal having exerted so much energy higher up the pitch. Griffiths had an effort saved by Lewis, and Lewis was again called into action when Sinclair snuck in at the back post to meet a cross from the striker but could only manage a poor connection.

Lewis was inspired and didn’t look like being beaten again. But then again it is this Celtic side. Even when they’ve struggled they’ve found a way to win. And they did just that as the game headed into extra-time.

Rogic had been probing since coming on in the first half to no avail. Then, deep into stoppage time, he picked up the ball, skipped past Anthony O’Connor then Considine’s weak challenge before slotting past Lewis.</s>Celtic's domination of Scottish domestic football this season is complete following a dramatic William Hill Scottish Cup win over Aberdeen .

Brendan Rodgers' team secured a stunning final victory against the Dons with Tom Rogic striking deep into injury time to win the trophy for the Hoops.

And Irish bookmaker Boyle Sports is already offering odds of just 4/1 for Celtic to record yet another domestic Treble next season, on account of their sensational unbeaten 2017/18 campaign.

Today's success ensures the team's first Treble since the 2003 season, and only the fourth in the history of the club.

Both Aberdeen and Rangers were left trailing in the wake of the Parkhead club in the league this year, with the Dons the nearest challengers to the champions, some 30 points behind.

And although Derek McInnes' Reds ran the Hoops close at the national stadium today, Celtic's quality eventually told when Aussie midfielder Rogic struck a dagger into the hearts of Aberdeen at the death.

The victory ensures a clean-sweep of domestic trophies with the Bhoys already having lifted the League Cup in November before clinching the top-flight title in April.

Rodgers' players have netted an incredible 150 goals across all competitions this season, and short odds of 4/1 to retain the Treble shows Celtic are highly fancied to dominate the Scottish game again in the next campaign.

But the bookies don't rate their chances in Europe very highly as Celtic are 500/1 to win the Champions League and 8/1 to qualify for the knockout stages of the competition.
Celtic wins the 2017 Scottish Cup, defeating Aberdeen 2–1 in the final. Celtic have the Treble for the fourth time.