“On top of the world,” Celtic captain Calllum McGregor looking down on the Rangers | OneFootball

Celtic’s 1-0 win over theRangers in the Scottish Cup final at Hampden Park allowed Brendan Rodgers, Callum McGregor and the rest of the squad to sign off what turned out to be a good season after all with THE double, the league title and the Scottish Cup.

A delighted Captain Callum McGregor spoke after the victory in the Hampden showpiece that’s to a 90th minute goal from substitute Adam Idah, who surely must be a priority summer signing alongside a replacement for Joe Hart, who yesterday hung up his gloves with a clean sheet and yet another winners medal after three wonderful years representing ou football club.

Speaking to Celtic TV on how he feels in the moments following the victory, the Celtic captain was understandably delighted at winning yet another Hampden final. He’s never lost one you know.

“On top of the world. Amazing game, cup final, two teams going at it. Probably a bit nervy, not massive quality in the game but listen, in cup finals, you only need one moment and that moment dropped to us and the big man [Adam Idah] stuck it away brilliantly, composed finish,” Calmac said.

“And then you’ve got to do all the other bits, you’ve got eight/nine minutes of added time. You’ve got to stick together, you’ve got to run, you’ve got to press and keep yourself in the game and do all the little dirty bits that get you over the line in cup finals and I thought we did that in spades. Honestly so proud of the boys.”

It took Celtic until the 90th minute to score but Adam Idah made no mistake in putting it past Jack Butland. Looking back on the performance as a whole, McGregor said: “I think it was decent enough football. I thought from the build-up phase through midfield, we were good.

“Maybe just a little bit at the top end of the pitch, maybe not quite as good as what we’ve been but listen, it happens, it’s cup final football and you’ve got to deal with that as well on the day and like I say, I’ve said it so many times but you’ve got to find a way to win and at Celtic, that is the remit,” the Celtic captain added.

“You have to win these games, you’ve got to win the big games. So delighted we managed to find a way to do it and to be honest, I thought we were comfortable out of possession, they never really caused many problems and a large part of the game was played in that midfield area.”

The captain was on the end of a controversial refereeing decision as he was shown yellow early into the game. He had to make sure that Celtic stayed with 11 players on the field but he thinks that he handled it well.

McGregor said: “You never know in these games, you might have to do something that prevents a goal or you’ve got to make a tackle or whatever but I thought I managed it quite well after that.”

The victory continues his record of having never lost a cup final in his career. “I don’t want anyone to jinx me,” McGregor said. “You can only prepare so much, you can get yourself mentally and physically ready, prepare the team, then obviously there’s a little bit of luck comes into it too. So delighted to keep it going and the more it grows arms and legs, the better you feel about it when you come back and you feel the confidence because you’ve got so much to look back on as well.”

The Scottish Cup final also marked Joe Hart’s final game as a professional football player. He will now retire following a star-studded career.

Speaking on the legendary goalkeeper, McGregor said: “No better way to sign off really. He’s been a fantastic player for us and a fantastic leader for the group so we wish him well. Top guy as well. Well respected in the game and deserves every bit of success he’s had.”

Celtic will be aiming for three more trophies to add to the Parkhead trophy room next season. Looking ahead to the next campaign, McGregor said: “Once we come back to pre-season, the remit will be to try and get three more medals. That’s where we are, that’s what the club demands, it’s in the DNA of the club now so let’s see if we can go and get more next season.”

Jessica Elliott

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