Matthew Lindsay: Celtic left it late against Aberdeen - but their domestic dominance is total and looks set to continue

And it is that ever-widening divide which will ensure - despite the assertion from Brendan Rodgers that his side’s success in an unforgettable 2016/17 campaign has been “a once-in-a-lifetime” experience - their continued dominance for some time to come.

Read more: Brendan Rodgers set for contract talks with Stuart Armstrong - and confident the midfielder will stay at Celtic

During the course of 90 spellbinding minutes at Hampden on Saturday, there had been nothing whatsoever between the two rivals.

Both sides scored goals, both sides created and missed chances, both sides forced vital saves from the opposition keeper. It was impossible to say with any great confidence who would edge it and lift the trophy.

Yes, Aberdeen, whose high-pressing game had proved successful and limited the influence of Patrick Roberts and Scott Sinclair, tired as the game wore on and dropped increasingly deeper. But extra-time and penalty kicks looked distinct possibilities.

It took a single moment of brilliance from Tom Rogic, who danced past Anthony O’Connor and outside Andrew Considine before beating Joe Lewis at his near post, to clinch it.

As Rogic picked up the ball from Stuart Armstrong and turned towards goal a huge fork of lightning split the leaden skies over the stadium. Divine intervention? Perhaps not.

There has, though, been the suspicion for some time that Celtic would mark the 50th anniversary of their historic European Cup triumph with something extra special. They duly delivered.

Challenging in the Champions League was never a possibility. Just qualifying for the group stages was a fine achievement. But winning the Betfred Cup, Ladbrokes Premiership and William Hill Scottish Cup, and going 47 games undefeated in the process, was a fitting way to honour the Lisbon Lions.

“Maybe the stars were aligned this year,” said Rodgers, who became only the third Celtic manager after Jock Stein in 1967 and 1969 and Martin O’Neill in 2001 to complete a clean sweep of domestic silverware in the same season, later.

Read more: Brendan Rodgers set for contract talks with Stuart Armstrong - and confident the midfielder will stay at Celtic

No fair-minded Aberdeen supporter could have levelled any criticism at his opposite number Derek McInnes for the defeat. Not for starting Jayden Stockley ahead of Adam Rooney. Not for replacing Niall McGinn with Anthony O’Connor.

McInnes got his team selection and his tactics exactly right. There could certainly be no doubting his ability to motivate his players. Fears they would get turned over, as they had been by the same opponents at the same venue in the Betfred Cup final in November, proved ill-founded.

“If they gave out a cup on Saturday for effort and big hearts I think we would have won it,” said McInnes. “But class tells at times in defining moments.”

Indeed it does. In the end, it was the superior standard of player Celtic had on the park that edged it in their favour. Stuart Armstrong, who scored a first-half equaliser, was once again outstanding, Sinclair and Roberts came into the game more and Rogic, who had replaced Kieran Tierney, provided the moment of excellence that sealed.

Rodgers’s instructions were also important. Celtic retained possession well and worked their opponents, in the second half in particular, masterfully. Aberdeen had to take their chances when they had them as their hope of maintaining their formidable work rate for the course of the 90 minutes were, even with replacements, non-existent.

When Jonny Hayes, who had put his side in front at a Niall McGinn corner early on, dispossessed Callum McGregor wide on the right and burst upfield on goal in the 53rd minute they had their best opportunity to reclaim the lead.

Read more: Brendan Rodgers set for contract talks with Stuart Armstrong - and confident the midfielder will stay at Celtic

Kenny McLean inside him should have timed his run better. He failed to control the square ball from Hayes and the danger was. It was difficult to see Leigh Griffiths or Rogic making the same mistake if they had been teed up in a similar manner by Armstrong, Roberts or Sinclair.

But that is millions of pounds in transfer fees and tens of thousands of pounds a week in wages buys you.

“My whole squad equates to £42,000 a week,” said McInnes. “I am sure there are probably one or two Celtic players on around that figure. For us to bridge the gap and find a player who can make a difference in this type of game is so difficult.”

That shouldn't detract from what Celtic have done this season under Rodgers. If anything, this game underlined just how impressive their accomplishment is. Many outwith Scottish football have belittled their historic feat due to their superior spending power. But to go undefeated was home or away over the course of nine months is extraordinary.

Rodgers will look to retain his best players and add some quality signings who can help Celtic qualify for the group stages of the Champions League again next season and possibly progress to the knockout rounds of that competition or the Europa League. He certainly has the funds to do so after a money-spinning season.

McInnes, meanwhile, looks like he could lose Ryan Jack, Niall McGinn, Peter Pawlett and Ash Taylor, three of whom started at the weekend, this summer. Replacing that quarter and maintain the same level of success will not be straightforward.

With Sunderland interested in the man responsible for steering Aberdeen to a third consecutive second-placed finish in the league and two cup finals there is no guarantee he will be there to carry out that rebuilding work.

With the jury still out on Pedro Caixinha at Rangers and the Portuguese having to carry out major surgery on the squad at Ibrox in the coming months it is unclear if any sort of challenge coming from across the city.

Celtic’s dominance this season shows no sign of abating.