Forged in silver, the 55th title of Celtic’s storied history was fervently celebrated after Parkhead bore witness to history.
From the first week of the August, one question has followed James Forrest.
Since netting on his debut against Motherwell in 2010, the winger had etched his name on the score sheet in 15 consecutive seasons.
Increasingly a bit part player this term, opportunities to continue that remarkable sequence have been more limited.
In recent weeks, the clamber of his team-mates to get him on the board has been almost comical. At Pittodrie on Wednesday, Brendan Rodgers suggested the Aberdeen fans were even wanting the winger to score. He may have been joking.
Sprung from the bench after St Mirren had taken the lead early in the second half, Forrest was serenaded with the song the supporters used to reserve for Jimmy Johnstone.
Forrest celebrates after scoring the goal that brought Celtic level against St Mirren
The Parkhead veteran made it goals in 16 consecutive seasons for the club
He bobbed and weaved on the right flank, swapped flanks and swapped again. But Saints remained as resolute as they’d been from the first minute. It didn’t feel like a day for a fairytale.
With just five minutes added on, there was almost an air of resignation in the air.
There was barely 60 seconds of those remaining when an untidy sequence offered hope of salvation and an unimaginable finale.
Alistair Johnston thought about going for goal then thought better of it. Forrest appeared on his shoulder and slammed the ball home.
His first goal since scoring at Kilmarnock a year ago had been worth the wait.
Parkhead exploded with joy, a familiar hero saving the day and ensuring the same question will be asked once again next season.
Celtic needed this. Not in terms of the title which had been won some weeks ago, but to ensure their momentum wasn’t punctured ahead of the Scottish Cup final.
It was, truthfully, a far from vintage team display. They rarely looked like scoring the three goals to equal the post-war scoring record set by Ange Postecoglou’s side two years ago.
Ayunga had given Saints a surprise lead at Celtic Park earlier in the match
Forrest (right) and captain Callum McGregor get their hands on the league trophy
A share of the spoils also saw them end on 92 points, one fewer than a year ago. Not that anyone was complaining as a familiar scene unfolded at full time.
This was the fourth time Callum McGregor had hoisted the trophy into their air as captain, the 10th overall. You’d get long odds on him denied the same privilege a year from now.
You had to feel something for St Mirren here. When Jonah Ayunga edged them in front early in the second half, they were heading for fifth place and a return to Europe.
But with Dundee United coming from behind at Tannadice against Aberdeen, their efforts in Glasgow were always going to be irrelevant.
Nonetheless, once the dust settles, a third successive top-six finish for the first time since the 1980s will be something to celebrate.
The pre-match party atmosphere in the stands belied the fact that Celtic’s season is far from over.
With the Scottish Cup Final now coming in view, Rodgers went strong here with only McGregor and Paulo Bernardo retained from the patchwork side which impressed at Pittodrie.
Needing something from this game to stand any chance of snatching a European place, Saints were never going to let Celtic have it all their own way.
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers partakes in the title celebrations
Their discipline denied Rodgers many openings, with Zach Hemming invariably getting a strong fist on the ball when Arne Engels swung a string of corners under his crossbar.
The visitors were not without their moments. Kasper Schmeichel did well to grasp the ball as Ayunga threatened to head home an opener while the Dane had to field a strike from Mikael Mandron.
Back in the starting line-up for the first time since the league was clinched Tannadice, Alistair Johnston’s energy and enterprise stretched Saints down the right flank. Rarely, however, did Celtic get in behind.
With Alex Gogic and Richard Taylor extending their legs to prevent the home side exploiting any space in behind, McGregor tried his luck from distance. Caolan Boyd-Munce typified the efforts of the Buddies with a courageous block.
While Hemming’s desire to take an age with goal kicks frustrated the home players, referee David Dickinson wasn’t minded to sanction the keeper.
Celtic struggled to find their rhythm. A meaty Engels shot looked like it might break the deadlock only for Declan John to throw himself in the way.
Taylor was the next home player to make a heroic block when he launched himself at Bernardo’s stinging volley. It was good enough for the visitors to traipse up the tunnel still level.
After rediscovering his early season form, Nicolas Kuhn had an off day. Having failed to make the most of a chance after outpacing Taylor, Rodgers signalled to a trio of substitutes to get ready. Before they’d entered the field, though, Celtic were behind.
Stephen Robinson would have been praying that his physically imposing side could snatch something off a set piece.
John’s floated free-kick asked a question of Celtic’s defence. Liam Scales clearing header was unconvincing. Ayunga’s touch and left foot finish from 12 yards were not.
The introduction of Forrest, together with Yang Hyun-jun and Luke McCowan, was a crowd pleaser.
Seeking the elusive goal, the veteran offered more menace. A typical drop of the shoulder preceded a deep cross. Daizen Maeda will never know how he managed to head the ball over from under the bar.
Rodgers looked for more urgency, but his side struggled to get out of third gear.
Yang’s mazy run looked like opening up the Saints defence until Mark O’Hara crunched him at the cost of a booking.
Sub Johnny Kenny wriggled free of Gogic. Hemming produced an excellent double save. With seconds, the keeper had dusted himself down and prevented Yang’s spectacular strike finding the rigging.
Played in by Forrest, Jeffrey Schlupp seemed destined to score until Marcus Fraser’s intervention turned the ball over the top.
Saints were nearly there. They would assuredly have got over the line had Fraser cleared his lines as he ought to have done.
Celtic breathed again, recycled the ball and switched it. Johnston thought about shooting but saw Forrest out of the corner of the eye.
The winger took aim and fired a rocket with his right foot beyond Hemming. It was a moment of history to spare the blushes of Rodgers’ players.
