Whoever the victor, they would automatically become favourites to lift the Scottish Cup. Although, in this season of shocks nothing seems a given.
Given the current Premiership context, this route to silverware was not one to be treated lightly. It might be the only trophy available to these clubs.
Celtic were badly stretched. Rangers nearly full strength.
What an opportunity this was for Danny Rohl’s side. They had Celtic on the ropes but, as has been the case too often of late, they couldn’t capitalise when in a great position.
Rohl has said he needs to lift silverware this season. That’s the demand at Rangers and for too long that has largely escaped them. That is a long shot now.
This was undoubtedly a patched up Celtic team. Crucially, a clutch of new signings were left out, perhaps suggesting recruitment hasn’t been up to scratch again.
In attack, Celtic were almost anonymous. Incredibly, they had one shot – and that off target – in 120 minutes. You don’t win games like that. Yet they did.
Defensively, they were quite something, though.
They had won in Stuttgart and Aberdeen recently. Drawn at Ibrox last weekend when seemingly on the floor. Somehow, here, they got the job done against all odds.
The scenes as they celebrated will be dissected and dealt with but Celtic are through and remain in with a shout of silverware.