Celtic's liking for Aberdeen under John Barnes held firm for Kenny Dalglish at Hampden Park as his two surprise selections emerged the goal heroes to claim the CIS Insurance Cup.

Neither Vidar Riseth nor Tommy Johnson were expected to start at the National Stadium, but Dalglish relegated both Alan Stubbs and Mark Burchill to the sidelines and it paid dividends.

The Parkhead director of football may have failed in his gamble to introduce Barnes to management, but now as temporary coach he can add a trophy to his glittering haul for Celtic as a player.

In three previous meetings with Aberdeen this term, all under Barnes' charge, Celtic had managed a goals aggregate of 18-0, but only in the closing stages were they so commanding today.

Riseth's half-hit 16th-minute shot was the only difference between the two sides at the break, but the balance of the contest shifted dramatically Celtic's way early in the second half.

Aberdeen's first blow was to lose influential forward Hicham Zerouali to injury, and to add insult to that they fell 2-0 behind courtesy of a sharp finish from the rejuvenated Johnson.

Out of the picture at Celtic earlier this term and sent on loan to Everton, Johnson has responded positively to the change of management and is belatedly justifying his £2.3million fee.

Aberdeen's interest in matters effectively ended after 61 minutes when Thomas Solberg was sent off for a second bookable offence and from there Celtic were able to coast to victory.

They could and should have scored more goals, going close countless times, but at least they have salvaged something from a season dominated by that dreadful Scottish Cup loss to Inverness.

The result needs to be in perspective in that to win the competition Celtic have only needed to defeat the Scottish Premier League's three bottom sides - Dundee, Kilmarnock and Aberdeen.

It also comes in a year when Rangers have maintained their dominance, with the Ibrox outfit currently 12 points clear at the top of the table.

But Celtic have every right to celebrate. The long-term impact of winning this trophy may yet hold real significance, not least if Dalglish now decides with himself as manager Celtic can go on to bigger and better things.

Riseth's inclusion demoted Stubbs to the bench, while for Burchill there was the disappointment of failing to even find a place among the substitutes for the second successive season.

The youngster was left out of last year's Old Firm Scottish Cup final and had to endure the same fate today as fit-again Johnson played after shaking off a hamstring problem.

As anticipated there was to be no dramatic comeback for Swede Henrik Larsson, while Paul Lambert was missing due to a shortage of match fitness following recent ankle ligament damage.

Aberdeen started with more positive intent and after nine minutes Paul Bernard's header looped over the bar from an Andy Dow free-kick as Celtic struggled to move into gear.

With their first sustained attack, however, Celtic moved ahead as Morten Wieghorst broke into space on the left before crossing for Riseth to sweep past Jim Leighton from close range.

Aberdeen almost produced an instant response within a minute as Zerouali drilled in a cross which Arild Stavrum reached first at the near post only to direct his effort into the side-netting.

Solberg was cautioned for an ugly challenge on Jackie McNamara, but the Celtic player recovered to set up Riseth moments later for a 25-yard drive which flew narrowly wide from the Norwegian.

Aberdeen spurned a half-chance to level when the ball ran loose to Perry inside the area, but Celtic keeper Jonathan Gould was able to claim it before a brief altercation with Zerouali.

Dow summed up the Dons' frustration by felling Petrov for another yellow card, while right on half-time Viduka fired badly over after running onto McNamara's threaded pass.

Aberdeen made a change at the break with Cato Guntveit replaced by Rachid Belabed and the Dons were presented a chance to level when Riseth lost control of the ball 10 seconds after the restart.

Zerouali pounced on that mistake only to be tripped on the edge of the area, but the resulting free-kick was hit straight into the wall and the opportunity was lost.

It was to be Zerouali's final contribution as after an accidental collision with McNamara the Moroccan was carried off with what looked to be a serious leg injury.

The Dons' misery was compounded on 58 minutes when a fluent Celtic move culminated in Viduka bursting through the centre before feeding Johnson, who defeated Leighton with a low drive.

That was 2-0 and the cue for Aberdeen to lose their way as just three minutes later Solberg hauled down the onrushing Petrov to be given a second yellow card and his marching orders.

Reduced to 10 men it now appeared to be a damage limitation exercise for the Dons as a relaxed Celtic started to pass the ball around in a manner which indicated they wanted to win in style.

Viduka emphasised this after 70 minutes as a drag back left Perry grounded and he strolled towards goal only for Leighton to deny him scoring with a casual flick with the outside of his foot.

Suddenly, after a tight opening half, it was again a question of how many Celtic might get, Moravcik putting a deft strike wide and the busy Wieghorst looping a header over the bar.

After 83 minutes a stunning Moravcik chip came back off the bar after beating Leighton, while moments later Perry cleared off the line after Viduka had played in McNamara.

Teams

Aberdeen: Leighton, Perry, Anderson, Solberg, McAllister, Bernard, Jess (Mayer 74), Guntveit (Belabed 45), Dow, Zerouali (Winters 53), Stavrum.

Sent Off: Solberg (61).

Booked: Solberg, Dow, Bernard, McAllister.

Celtic: Gould, Riseth, Mjallby, Boyd, McNamara, Petrov, Moravcik (Stubbs 87), Wieghorst, Mahe, Viduka, Johnson (Berkovic 90).

Subs Not Used: Kerr.

Booked: Petrov, Johnson, Riseth.

Goals: Riseth 15, Johnson 58.

Att: 50,073

Ref: Kenny Clark (Scotland).