“On top of the world,” Celtic captain Calllum McGregor looking down on the Rangers
After the triumph in the Hampden showpiece, Captain Callum McGregor was overjoyed. The goal came from substitute Adam Idah in the 90th minute. Idah will undoubtedly be a top summer signing to replace Joe Hart, who retired yesterday with three fantastic years of playing for our football team, a clean sheet, and another winners medal.
The Celtic captain, who spoke to Celtic TV about his feelings after the match, was naturally happy to have won another Hampden final. You know, he’s never lost one.
“At the pinnacle of everything. Fantastic match, cup final, two teams competing. Probably a little nervous, not very good in the game, but listen, in the cup finals, you only have one chance, and that one came to us, and the big man [Adam Idah] finished calmly and well,” Calmac remarked.
“And then you have to spend an additional eight or nine minutes doing all the other parts. I felt we did a great job of sticking together, running, pressing, staying in the game, and doing all the nasty little things that bring you over the finish line in cup finals. I’m really happy for 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.
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.”
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