Celtic player ratings as Daizen Maeda leads fantastic five that captured Scottish Cup and O'Neill fairytale

Martin O’Neill celebrated Double success on his fairytale comeback after Celtic defeated Dunfermline to lift the Scottish Cup. Seven days after the dramatic Premiership title success, the champions took care of their Championship opponents at Hampden. Daizen Maeda, on his likely-final appearance, s et O’Neill’s team on their way with Arne Engels doubling the lead before half-time. Neil Lennon’s men fought after the interval to try and find a way back, but Celtic finished the game 18 minutes from the end when sub Kelechi Iheanacho bagged a sealing third.

Dunfermline were able to score before the end when sub Josh Cooper struck home a loose ball, but Celtic were long over the line. It was a professional performance from O’Neill’s team as they took control before finishing the job. Celtic were overwhelming favourites to land the silverware and, despite a narrow early escape when Liam Scales had to clear a Calumn Morrison effort off the line following a mix-up between Viljami Sinisalo and Alistair Johnston, they took a 19th minute lead. Maeda had eight goals in six games going into Hampden and extended his sequence with a delightful lob into the net after Johnston’s raking pass from deep eluded Pars defender John Tod.

Engels grabbed the second for O’Neill’s team nine minutes from the interval with a searing strike from Callum McGregor’s tee-up which left keeper Aston Oxborough rooted to the spot. Dunfermline battled in the second period, but Iheanacho secured the trophy for his team with neat footwork from a Benjamin Nygren through pass to score to elude defenders and score. The game was over in terms of the outcome, but, to their credit, the Pars kept fighting and got a goal when sub Josh Cooper fired home a loose ball in the box.

But Celtic had done their work to win the trophy and Record Sport rates the Cup winners. VILJAMI SINISALO: Finn was stranded as Scales made an early goalline clearance from Morrison’s effort. Spent the rest of the first period moving the ball out from the back. Had to be more alert in the second period and no chance when Cooper pounced to fire home and take away the keeper’s clean sheet. 7 ALISTAIR JOHNSTON: Right-back got away with a major mistake as he allowed Morrison to get an effort past Sinisalo, but atoned with a great pass from deep for Maeda to score opener.

Unfortunate when his block late in the game spun into the path of Cooper to score for Dunfermline. 7 AUSTON TRUSTY: Defender had plenty of the ball at his feet as he had the chance to start attacks. The American held his ground before the break, but not as simple after interval. Booked for hauling down Kane on the touchline with the sub offering a different test and asking more questions. 6 LIAM SCALES: Centre-back raced back to hack off the line as he bailed out Johnston and Sinisalo for mix-up and nipped moments in the bud quickly with quick anticipation and strength. The Irish international had a strong match, even though he wasn’t able to stop the cross at Dunfermline goal. 8 KIERAN TIERNEY: Scotland star pushed forward to back up Yang on the left and moved central for a drive blocked.

The full-back was a source of supply from his area during the opening period and always an outlet for Scales just inside of him to use as he used his nous to keep it tight before going off late. 7 CALLUM McGREGOR: Skipper prowled around the central area ticking he game and setting the tempo either by keeping it simple or laying it forward. Perfect set for Engels to thrash home he second goal. Had to be more disciplined at the beginning of the second half organising and covering spaces with usual aplomb. 8 ARNE ENGELS: Good energy in the engine room as he got close to Maeda in attack first period and also used his running power to get back and make interventions. Sizzling strike from 30 yards seared beyond Oxborough for his team’s crucial second and drove into wider areas to assist offensively. 8 BENJAMIN NYGREN: Swedish international was busy in the middle of the park attempting to link with his attackers and get into dangerous areas.

Attempted to pick up pockets of space and move into threatening areas. Driving run and perfectly-timed pass sent Iheanacho clear for the third goal. 7 JAMES FORREST: Winger got the nod on the right-hand side of the attack 15 years after his first Final and struck into arms of Oxborough. Forrest mixed it up with real intelligence, altering between going inside and outside full-back Fraser before making way just before the hour. 7 DAIZEN MAEDA: Striker made darting runs. Went down under early challenge from John Tod before pouncing on the defender’s misjudgement to lob the opening goal with calm and composure.

No more chances before moving out the left to accommodate Iheanacho’s arrival. Worked to the end as ever. 8 HYUNJUN YANG: South Korean ace landed a new contract on the eve of the Final and gave his usual shift down the left-hand side. Yang looked to link with Tierney and get beyond his full-back. Final pass was too often lacking.

Switched to the right after sub change and wandered offside before setting Iheanacho up to knock into the net. 6 KELECHI IHEANACHO: Substitute replaced Forrest just after the hour and drove into the net only to be denied by a corrrect offside call. Nigerian then displayed dancing feet to move onto Nygren’s pass and escape defenders and keeper to score. 5 SEBASTIAN TOUENKTI: Winger was a direct replacement for Yang straight ater the third goal and didn’t get many chances to run at his full-back. 3 ALEX OXLADE-CHAMBERLAIN: Experienced midfielder took over from Nygren in the middle of the park and didn’t have much involvement during his time on the park. 2 MARCELO SARACCHI: Left-back was given the final few minutes after Tierney sustained a knock in the build-up to the Dunfermline consolation. Late shot over. 2