It was well documented why Celtic wanted to come away with the Scottish Cup – to end an eventful season and to give the perfect send off for their departing skipper.

However for the Fifers, their motivation was just as great, wanting to make amends for being relegated and to send clear statement to the rest of Scottish Football their drop to the lower leagues was going to be a temporary set back.

And they were quick to make their mark when former hoops striker go in behind the Celtic defence, but his angled shot finished just wide of the post.

After ten minutes, Celtic were starting to play the type of possession football that you would expect from reigning SPL Champions and from a team that reached the knock out stages of the Champions League.

However the Fifers still posed the greater threat going forward, but were almost dealt a sucker punch in 21 minutes when Shunsuke Nakamura knocked the ball into an empty net but referee Kenny Clarke blew for a foul as Dorus De Vries dropped the ball under pressure from Paul Hartley.

Dunfermline continued to show that they were the hungrier team, but without the threat of Tam McManus, Gary Mason and Jim O’Brien, lacked the killer touch inside the box.

Then on the half hour, out of the blue, Kenny Miller turned in a great bit of skill down the near side, sending in a great cross in to the box, which was met by the diving Jan Venegoor of Hesselink, but his header sent the ball a foot off target.

Whatever was said at half time seemed to half positive effect on Celtic as Dunfermline were starting to show signs of tiredness.

On 50 minutes, Miller tested the Dunfermline keeper when his close range header was well saved on the goal line.

De Vries came to his side’s rescue again when a snap shot by Lee Naylor from the edge of the box was well saved.

Kenny tried to freshen things up by introducing some fresh legs up front, but with extra time looming ever closer, with Craig Beattie on for Kenny Miller, Strachan needed omething special to shake up his side if they were to clinch the final during regular time.

But no one expected the Celtic Boss to bring off his Captain midway through the second half on his final game, being replaced by Gary Caldwell.

A point that bemused Lennon who walked straight up the tunnel, but returned to the dugout, minutes later.

And 6 minutes from time, the most unlikely cup final hero, settled some nervous Celtic fans when Doumbe slid in to stab the ball into the net after a Craig Beattie delivery is deflected into his path on the edge of the six-yard box.

That was enough to knock the stuffing out of the battling Fifers and give Celtic another eague and cup double.

But judging on this display, Celtic's will to win proved why they are champions and despite a poor performance, they will certainly be in the mix for hounours next season.

As for Dunfermline, they may be down, but it won’t be long before they are back battling in the top flight again.