NOT everything about winning a treble is memorable. Jackie McNamara was part of the last Celtic team to complete the clean sweep in 2001, scoring the first goal in the Scottish Cup final against Hibernian after coming off the bench early on, then setting up the second for Henrik Larsson who went on to add a third from the spot before the end. It was Celtic’s first treble since 1969 and they marked the occasion accordingly.

“The celebrations were good,” said McNamara, now chief executive at York City. “They always were. We went to Celtic Park for a party and then out. I can’t remember where we ended up. But it was good anyway.

“When you're playing and you win the League Cup at first you don't really think about doing the lot. And then when the league's won all the focus is on the treble. I think once you’ve got that chance you want to make sure you go on to win it.”

That opportunity now knocks for the current Celtic side who stand on the cusp of emulating what McNamara, Larsson et al did under Martin O’Neill 16 years ago if they can defeat Aberdeen in Saturday’s William Hill Scottish Cup final at Hampden.

Just as then, a charismatic, cerebral Northern Irishman has inspired to new highs a Celtic team that had under-performed in the previous season. McNamara doesn’t know Brendan Rodgers as well as he does O’Neill but, from a distance, can’t help but admire what the former Liverpool manager has achieved.

“Martin was very intelligent and could hold a room,” he said. “He could make guys in the dressing room feel 10 feet tall. I’ve obviously not had that same experience with Brendan but he speaks well. And you assume he must come across very well with his players too. He’s had a fantastic season.

"When you look at the players, it's the same group that's been there before apart from a couple of new ones in Moussa Dembele and Scott Sinclair. But certain players have been rejuvenated.

“Scott Brown has had a fantastic season, there's been a big difference in him in midfield. The centre-halves have come back in and done well and young Kieran Tierney is terrific coming forward. So a lot of players have improved.”

There is one player, in particular, whose progress has caught McNamara’s eye. Stuart Armstrong was an integral figure under him at Dundee United until he was sold to Celtic as part of a package deal that included Gary Mackay-Steven. Rodgers’ ability to draw even more from the midfielder led to a first Scotland cap earlier this year.

“Armstrong's a different player from last year, in his confidence and his goals return,” McNamara said. “Brendan and his backroom team must take a lot of credit for that. That's the measure of a manager that makes players better.

“I said to a lot of people Stuart had the potential, having played a lot of games when he was younger. He had everything in his locker and he's showing it now. I believed Nadir Ciftci had it as well but he's not handled it so well.

“It's the way you handle the day-to-day demands of having to win every week regardless of who you're up against. Playing in front of that Celtic crowd; you're expected to win. Gary's a fantastic talent, a great finisher but he's been unfortunate with injuries. Given the chance Brendan can get the best out of him as well.”

McNamara won the Scottish Cup three times as a player but his one experience as a manager ended on a sour note, United defeated by St Johnstone in the final in 2014.

“It was good getting to the final,” he recalled. “Beating Rangers at Ibrox in the semi-final was a great feeling for the lads but the final was frustrating. We didn’t play like we could have on the day, although St Johnstone did well. They were hungry for it and we didn’t express ourselves in the right way.

“As a manager you just stand there and hope. It’s like being injured as a player and still wishing you could get on the park and do something about it. Your hopes and prayers are with the players that they can do it. It’s very frustrating but more so for the players. I had experienced winning it before as a player. As a manager and a coach you want them to share that same feeling.”

- Jackie McNamara was speaking at a William Hill media event. William Hill is the sponsor of the Scottish Cup