Celtic booked a place in their 61st Scottish Cup final with a 5-0 dismantling of St Johnstone in a one-sided semi-final rout at Hampden Park on Easter Sunday.
A first-half double from Daizen Maeda and goals from captain Callum McGregor and Adam Idah had the holders 4-0 up and cruising at the interval as Brendan Rodgers' men turned up at the national stadium and put on a show - a ruthless one at that as Jota made it 5-0 in the second half to compound St Johnstone's misery.
Rodgers started with the same XI that hammered Kilmarnock 5-1 at Celtic Park last weekend to put the men in green and white to within one point of clinching the Scottish Premiership title.
History did not favour the men from Perth in the competition as this was the ninth Scottish Cup meeting between the two sides, with St Johnstone's only victory coming back in 1936.
James Forrest, Callum McGregor, Arne Engels and Daizen all had efforts at goal for the holders as the clock ticked past the half-hour mark, but Simo Valakari's side were holding firm without displaying much attacking intent of their own.
Just as the Saints were getting a foothold and possibly conceit of themselves in the game, Celtic struck the opener on 34 minutes.
Celtic pressed a St Johnstone by-kick and won the ball back in midfield as
Alistair Johnston fed James Forrest, who shunted it to Reo Hatate, who in turn played a delightful back-heel into the path of skipper Callum McGregor, and he planted the ball firmly past Andrew Fisher.
It was a superbly worked goal and just like buses, a second came along within the space of three minutes. Adah found McGregor, who drove forward, and his slide rule pass found Maeda, and the Japanese striker easily slid the ball into the corner of the net to make it 2-0 and 32 for the season and counting.
Things got even better for Celtic after 45 minutes when Idah made it 3-0 after Liam Scales' sumptuous pass inside the Saints' defence was picked up by Hatate, who fired across the face of goal, and last season's Scottish Cup-winning goal hero tapped home from close range.
There was still time for Celtic to add a fourth when Maeda claimed number 33 of the campaign when he struck the ball through a ruck of players and into the net. This was Celtic at their clinical best.
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St Johnstone thought they had a crumb of consolation when Makenzie Kirk arrowed a screamer into the top corner from 25 yards, but it was disallowed after a VAR check for Daniels Balodis' two-handed push on Idah.
Celtic then saw a penalty overturned by VAR when Forrest went down in the box, and referee Calum Scott initially pointed to the spot but changed his mind when he viewed the TV replays.
Rodgers then threw on Jota and Kuhn for Idah and Forrest. It was the Portuguese superstar who sneaked in at the back post to steer home a delightful finish to make it 5-0 after 67 minutes.
With one point needed to clinch their 55th title, you get the feeling that Aberdeen should be afraid...very afraid when they come to Glasgow on May 24th for the Scottish Cup final showpiece.
Rodgers' Celtic are in rip-roaring, free-scoring, never-boring mode.
A historic ninth 'Treble' is there for the taking.
On this form, Celtic will grasp it with both hands and then some.
Captain Callum McGregor was imperious and showed his men how it was done as he hit double figures for the season
It was the Captain Fantastic who showed the way again for Celtic as he led by example and scored the most important goal of the goal of day, which let the holders relax and start playing their football.
McGregor stamped his authority and class all over the proceedings, and his sure-fire low finish past Andrew Fisher was sweetly struck after the cutest of back-heelers into his path by Hatate.
The skipper's goal was his 10th of the campaign, which is another excellent return for his team.
As always during Celtic's time of need, it is usually the captain who steps up to the plate more often than not.
Reo Bravo
This was yet another stellar outing for the Japanese playmaker.
He scored two goals last week against Kilmarnock, but he was the provider of two assists for McGregor to get the ball rolling in this tie and then laid it on a plate for Idah as the Irishman capped off his week with a badly needed goal.
Hatate has come in for some unjust criticism of late, but he has rammed a lot of those words down people's throats of late.
It will be interesting to see if any potential suitors come calling for one of Celtic's prized assets in the summer and test the club's resolve with a serious bid.
On his day, Hatate is the most gifted midfielder and technician in the country, and he didn't disappoint at Hampden Park in this outing.
Like McGregor, he was at the hub of everything good and creative about Celtic on the day.
He deserved his standing ovation when he made way for Paulo Bernardo after 67 minutes.
Greg Taylor is playing like a man who doesn't want to leave the club
Greg Taylor is playing like a man possessed at the moment, and it is a small wonder that Rodgers does not want to see him leave the club.
You get the feeling that there is good news in the pipeline for Taylor and the recent round of contract talks.
The manager isn't giving up on keeping him at the club, and on this kind of form, it is easy to see why.
Taylor ghosted into the space that the inverted full-back position allowed him to do at will, especially in the opening period, and he took advantage of that.
It wouldn't surprise you to see Taylor sign a new three-year deal, would it?
You know what to do, Celtic...announce GT3 on a new contract...you know it makes sense.
Brendan Rodgers should be applauded for his man-management of Adam Idah, as his Hampden Park record remains intact
Make that 21 Hampden appearances for Rodgers and 21 wins.
Incredibly, Rodgers has won this trophy three times over his two spells as Celtic boss and has never lost a match in the competition.
Celtic lifted the famous old trophy for the 42nd time last year after Adam Idah scored the only goal against Rangers in the 90th minute last season, and are now on course to make it 43.
The Irishman chose to keep faith with the same starting X1 that dismantled Kilmarnock on league duty last weekend.
The inclusion of Idah was a managerial masterstroke despite a video of the Irish international attacker doing the rounds on social media last week.
The 52-year-old just threw a protective arm around the striker, and he rewarded him with a typical striker's goal to take his tally to 15 for the season.
That goal in particular will have put a big smile on Rodgers' face.
Now for the 'Treble'.
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