Hearts midfielder and pundit Andy Halliday has admitted that Celtic were worthy winners of the Viaplay Cup final on Sunday.
The Hoops continued their terrific form in the competition having won six of the past seven finals in the tournament to make Celtic Park a home from home for the trophy.
A brace from Kyogo Furuhashi was enough to seal the deal as he was the hero once again at Hampden on the big occasion having scored two goals in last season’s final against Hibs.
There has been a lot of talk after the game about Michael Beale’s team selection and although Halliday discusses this as a factor he does admit that on the day Celtic were worthy winners yet again.
“Listen, it’s been the same movie. Celtic have won 22 trophies in the span that Rangers have won two so there’s going to be a lot of frustration,” said Halliday speaking on [Clyde One Superscoreboard].
“I don’t think either team were great but I think the majority of football that was played came from Celtic.
“I think the first goal comes at a really poor time for Rangers but you sensed it coming. From the 35th minute onwards, Celtic were really growing into the game and getting in and around Rangers’ box.
“In the second half, I think it’s got to be said that Rangers lifted the level.
“But I think that for the majority of the piece, the deserving winners were Celtic.”
The reality of Celtic’s dominance is beginning to become apparent to some who have never wanted to acknowledge how relentless the Hoops have been in years gone by.
It’s a fair comment to say that the Hoops probably weren’t at their very best as towards the end of the game, although Rangers were chasing an equaliser, Ange Postecoglou’s side could have increased the goal margin even further on the day as Sead Haksabanovic and Matt O’Riley should have finished the job.
The frustrating thing is that although Rangers lifted their level, they couldn’t get that equalising goal as Celtic totally bossed the midfield in the closing stages of the game which they had done for large parts of the ninety minutes.
Halliday’s Hearts will have the opportunity to put a dent in Celtic’s treble hopes as both sides will face off against each in the quarter-final of the Scottish Cup in less than two weeks’ time.
