All hope that this afternoon's Scottish Cup semi-final between Celtic and Rangers would offer a competitive, enticing spectacle definitely fell away shortly after the second-half began.
Leading 2-0 through goals from Tom Rogic and Callum McGregor, Ross McCrorie's sending-off after 51 minutes allowed Celtic in for a third, and all but confirmed Brendan Rodgers' sides' place in the cup final.
Having been beaten by pace by Moussa Dembele, McCrorie pulled at the Frenchman's shoulder and duly gave away the deciding penalty.
And what a penalty it was.
Playing with the confidence of one who was looking to grab his seventh Celtic goal against their city rivals, Dembele was calmness personified.
In a first-half they thoroughly dominated, it was the Australian Rogic who was afforded far too much time in the Rangers box to turn and neatly finish the game's opener.
Some very neat work from full-back Kieran Tierney allowed Celtic the necessary room to manufacture a second opening shortly thereafter; McGregor pouncing on the loose ball and finishing well.
All but over as a contest, Celtic tagged on a fourth through an Olivier Ntcham penalty.
Celtic will now face Motherwell in the Scottish Cup final as they attempt to achieve back-to-back trebles.
