The one week thrill of the Co-Operative Cup!
It was a great feeling, very enjoyable as it always is when you beat Rangers, especially so in a Hampden Cup Final which many of us haven't experienced, scarily Mo Johnson was almost a Celtic player the last time that a Cup Final was won against Rangers.
Darren O'Dea was the unlikely first goal scorer but with only one real goalscorer on the pitch at the start, Scott McDonald, then an unlikely goalscorer probably wasn't really too unlikely!
It was a classy header from O'Dea well placed with a good connection to Shunsuke Nakamura's free kick, Celtic had threatened repeatedly through the match with Glenn Loovens and O'Dea both coming close to scoring earlier in the game from set pieces.
After O'Dea's opener Celtic carved Rangers open and should have had the match decided long before Aiden McGeady went off on a great run before being hacked down by Kirk Broadfoot who was in the dressing room by the time Aiden smacked the penalty the penalty into the net.
The celebrations were great with half of the stadium cheering Stephen McManus and the team as they collected the cup, danced around the sponsors podium then showed the trophy to the supporters who were in full voice.
Fast forward seven days and it was the familiar frustrating story of the season as we drew 2-2 with Dundee United, passing up the chance to stretch our lead over Rangers to five points.
With Rangers throwing away a two goal lead to Hearts the previous day the stage was set for a decisive move to be made in the title race, Scott McDonald obliged with a first half header but before the hour mark Dundee United were in front through a double from Francisco Sandaza, at this rate he could be the latest from Tannadice to make the move to Celtic.
Lee Naylor pinged in the equaliser but there was not to be a late winner with the lead at the top of the SPL table remaining at three points.
One point gained or two lost?
Arguments can be put up for both outcomes, what can't be denied is our unchampionslike form since the turn of the year, especially away from home.
One away SPL win, at Kilmarnock, alongside draws at Inverness, Motherwell, Dundee United and defeats at Aberdeen and St Mirren in the Scottish Cup don't inspire confidence. Neither does a one man strike force with the other two options contributing a total of two goals since the turn of the year.
Full points are non-negotiable from the next two matches, at home to Hamilton Accies and Falkirk, after that it gets much tougher with the remaining seven matches all against top six opponents.
The Co-Operative Cup Final win showed the desire of the team to succeed, away games at Hearts, Rangers, Aberdeen and AN Other will test that resolve to the full if the league is to be won.
On a cheerier not have another look at the Co-Operative Cup celebrations
