It is an ending that feels like a beginning.

With foundations like these, what might come next?

Celtic head to Hampden this afternoon for the William Hill Scottish Cup final against an Aberdeen side who have been hanging onto their coat tails in recent seasons.

It could be the final piece in the puzzle for Brendan Rodgers’ side who already have two out of three in the bag; few would see past Celtic steamrolling their way to a third trophy to complete only the fourth domestic Treble in the club’s history.

From the moment that Brendan Rodgers was unveiled in the May sunshine to 13,000 supporters inside Celtic Park, there was an expectancy on the Irishman to deliver. Even by the lofty standards of those who pack into stadiums every week, Rodgers has fulfilled his promise. And then some.

There have been the records that have melted away this season, at one stage, with an alacrity that required all fingers and toes to be involved in the totalling of new accolades; we are left with a record points tally in the league (106), a record number of goals scored (106), and, of course, a record undefeated season.

That in itself would invite applause but it is the fact that Rodgers has re-energised a Celtic side that had been vulnerable to an accusation of simply going through the motions in recent years that has perhaps drawn the most acclaim.

This time a year ago, there were fingers pointed at where Rodgers should begin the weeding out process; few would have envisaged that the meekness of Dedryck Boyata would transition into a far more aggressive, controlled centre-half, or that Stuart Armstrong would be pivotal to the way Celtic play through the middle of the park. There were many who felt that Scott Brown’s number was up.

Now, just twelve months on and the standing on the cusp of writing their names into the history books at the club, the one feeling about this Celtic side is that they can be trusted.

That trust has been earned throughout the course of an intriguing ten months when they have delivered under pressure. They have coped with adversity on a domestic level and come back into games that threatened to be slipping away. Rarely, but Motherwell and St Johnstone will both testify to having Celtic on the ropes before hitting the deck themselves.

Just as in 1987/88 on the club’s centenary season when the triumphs and successes and late, late goals, seemed to be pre-ordained, there has been a growing belief this year in the 50th anniversary of the Lisbon Lions that a Treble season is written in the stars for Celtic.

Rodgers will have no such truck with such whimsical theories. It is on the training ground and on the pitches up and down the country where Celtic have earned the right to enjoy the position they find themselves in this afternoon.

Whatever 22 players walk out the Hampden tunnel this afternoon, there will be nerves and butterflies. Some will relive the next 90 minutes over and over again with their head in their hands; others will watch the re-run again and again, the moment of triumph one to savour.

But where Celtic have the edge on Aberdeen in terms of the psychological approach to the game is this season’s experience of the Champions League.

Having lined up in Europe’s most prestigious tournament this season, Celtic are not only used to the big occasion but believed it is exactly where they belong.

This afternoon’s occasion is not one that will intimidate, but one which will excite. This is a group of players who have lived with the demands of the winning – and winning in a certain way.

There will be a feeling among them this afternoon that this moment is simply a moment in waiting as they look to make a final bit of history this season.