A whole season, two enduring themes. Celtic remain on course for a domestic treble by dint of the two essentials that have taken them so far for so long during the course of this campaign: collective determination and one Henrik Larsson.
But for the scoreline, Celtic's passage into the final of the Tennents Scottish Cup had all the hallmarks of their recent wins, which have had a groundout quality to them. Dundee United left wondering what they did to deserve to be on the end of a 3-1 defeat and Larsson left having set a scoring record.
The Swede, who scored twice - his first was a flying header from a barely credible angle and his second came from the penalty spot - now holds Celtic's post-war record for goals scored in a single season. His 49 in all competitions is one better than the previous record holder, Charlie Nicholas.
Nicholas said last night: "Actually I'm convinced I got 49 goals in 1982-83 - and I don't count headers or deflections either. But he's been absolutely sensational. His confidence and fitness levels are right, and the service he gets makes him one of the finest players you could wish to have in this country."
As if Larsson's record breaking two goals weren't enough, he also assisted in Celtic's third, waiting just long enough for the substitute, Jackie McNamara, to peel to the right of Dundee United's 18-yard box before teeing up a pass just crying out for the measured conversion.
At least Dundee United had the consolation of piercing the monolithic Celtic rearguard at least once. But the sight of Joos Valgaeren failing to stretch far enough to cut out Jamie Buchan's long pass, thereby allowing Derek Lilley to round Robert Douglas for a late tap in, was scant reward for their efforts.
The Celtic manager, Martin O'Neill expects to use at least a couple of the next few games to give his youngsters a run. "Each one, to a man, said `I hope it's not me'," he said of his plans to rest a couple of players. "They want to play."
His counterpart, Alex Smith, who expressed pride in his players' efforts, believed a replay was close. "There was a 25minute spell when we dominated, but we needed to score at that stage," he said. "Had we scored at least one of a couple of chances, we would have left with nothing less than a replay."
Vital blocks and nick-of-time headers by United's central defenders, Jim Lauchlan and Jason De Vos, provided precious little warning of the travesty that led to Celtic's opener.
Johan Mjallby's pass down the right side looked to be going out, but as De Vos slowed up, Chris Sutton remained in hot pursuit. His cross found Lauchlan still lifting his leg as Larsson burst in.
Strangely, despite the routine beating of Jamie Buchan by Didier Agathe down the Celtic right, none of Celtic's goals came from that most productive of channels.
Larsson won the penalty he was to score from with nothing more complicated than cutting inside and inviting Danny Griffin to run into his back.
Celtic's opponents in the final will be Hibernian, who, thanks to two goals from John O'Neil, swept aside First Division Livingston 3-0 on Saturday. The Edinburgh club will now try to win the tournament for the first time in 99 years.
CELTIC: Douglas, Mjallby (Boyd 85), Vega, Valgaeren, Agathe, Lennon, Lambert, Moravcik (McNamara 67), Thompson, Sutton (Johnson 85), Larsson. Subs Not Used: Gould, Healy. Goals: Larsson 32, 79 pen, McNamara 80.
DUNDEE UTD: Gallacher, De Vos, Griffin, Lauchlan, Hannah, Easton, Buchan, Miller, McCunnie (Partridge 85), Lilley, Thompson. Subs Not Used: Combe, Venetis, Hamilton, Winters. Booked: Lilley, Partridge. Goals: Lilley 84. Attendance: 38,699.
Referee: H Dallas (Scotland).
