SLIDING DOORS MOMENT: Was Carter-Vickers’ return from injury at Fir Park the spark that set Celtic on road to sealing a league and cup double?

Hoping to capitalize on the final moment of triumph, Celtic’s media team will no doubt have spent the weekend piecing together the highlights from last season.

Nowadays, the DVDs often hit store shelves before the last confetti has been swept away in Hampden.

With the Premier League and Scottish Cup secured after a challenging campaign, there will be no shortage of crucial moments to choose from.

While it seems unlikely that a second-half substitution in a routine match three months ago deserves a final editorial mention, the importance of that event in the context of the season cannot possibly be understated.

When Cameron Carter-Vickers replaced Nicolas Kuhn at Fir Park on February 25, Brendan Rodgers’ side drew with Motherwell and were on the verge of falling four points behind a Rangers side who were sweeping everything before them at the time.

Unable to return to full fitness following knee surgery the summer before, the US international was missing after Celtic lost points in four previous Premiership games and as they lost their grip on the League Cup at Kilmarnock.

The moment Celtic’s campaign reignited as Carter-Vickers returned from injury at Fir Park

Defender Carter-Vickers went straight back to work during the match against Motherwell in February

His return to the side just after the hour mark in Lanarkshire coincided with regaining their defensive security and belief.

While Adam Idah and Luis Palma would score the stoppage-time goals to secure the three points, Carter-Vickers’ influence on Rodgers’ team would have been evident from space.

Although the defender did play on the day Celtic later lost to Hearts, he has not missed a single match since. In the twelve subsequent matches, Parkhead’s men remained undefeated. The team ‘came alive’ – as their manager had said – in time to achieve the double.

For their defense force, the satisfaction they got from recovering to play such a crucial role was immeasurable.

“The start of the season was frustrating for me,” said the 26-year-old. ‘I want to play there and help the team where I can.

“I always knew that what I had wasn’t something that would keep me out forever. I just kept working and preparing so that whenever I came back into the team I could help – and luckily I did.”

By common consent, Celtic’s performance in the fifth clash with Rangers was their worst in all competitions this season.

Despite this, Joe Hart only had to make routine saves, with his one moment of alarm coming before Abdallah Sima’s ‘goal’ was rightly disallowed after VAR spotted Nico Raskin’s pressure on the keeper.

Rangers had their moments of promise and looked to be in control of the match as it entered the final stages. But Celtic’s defense still held firm.

“It was a game of moments, half-chances, and it wasn’t just me and Scalesy (Liam Scales),” Carter-Vickers said. ‘I thought we defended our box well as a team. We have limited their opportunities as much as possible.

Cyriel Dessers is stopped by Cameron-Vickers during the Scottish Cup final in Hampden

Manager Rodgers and Cameron-Vickers celebrate during the cup final

Cameron-Vickers and teammates appear relieved after sealing a league and cup double

‘We didn’t create many chances ourselves, but we still managed to grab the big ones when they arose.’

Seventeen minutes apart, Rodgers’ introductions of Paulo Bernardo and Adam Idah would determine the outcome.

The fresh legs of the Portuguese were too much for Raskin’s tiring figure. After watching his teammate fly, Idah looked lively in the slim chance that Jack Butland would be found wanting. His gamble would yield a spectacular reward.

Adding his voice to the many who would like to see the on-loan Norwich City striker sign permanently, Carter-Vickers said: ‘He’s done a great job, especially when he first came on. He scored many big goals late in the game, away at Motherwell, also Hibs. This was a great moment for him.

“He’s a great guy too, everyone likes to be around him. He has proven over the past six months that he can help the team. He’s a great guy to have around.

‘I have been here for three seasons now and we always tend to attract a lot of players. That’s just part of it. Since I’ve been here, every player we’ve signed has come here with the right attitude and tried to help the team as much as possible. That’s all you’re looking for.’

Cameron Carter-Vickers and full-back Alistair Johnston pose with the famous trophy

Saturday reminded you that resilience and perseverance are the most important qualities in any football team. After a campaign that presented more challenges than anyone expected, the mentality of Rodgers’ players delivered results.

“It hasn’t been smooth sailing all season, but I think we’ve stayed cool and calm at all times and kept working,” Carter-Vickers said. “And I think if you do that, you usually get rewarded in the end.

‘I thought the game was quite reserved. I don’t think either team played great football. But I think as a group we believe in each other and we will continue to work until the end. Luckily for us we scored the goal.”