‘Well fell at final hurdle

Goalkeeper Trevor Carson was gutted to have fallen at the final hurdle but was still proud his teammates never gave up hope in the second half as they chased an equaliser.

The Northern Irishman produced a stunning double save to deny Moussa Dembele but was helpless to stop the two strikes from Callum McGregor and Olivier Ntcham.

Carson said: “Obviously it’s disappointment in losing a cup final but there’s pride as well in my teammates who didn’t give up right to the last minute. It was unfortunate to lose that early goal but these things happen.

“The only regret we have in there is how we’ve reacted, a lot of the boys went into their shell and it took until half-time to regroup, to then come out in the second half and have a right good go at them.”

Carson felt the Steelmen didn’t get close enough to the Hoops to put them off their stride.

He added:“Celtic are a great team at the best of times but when you stand off them and give them 10, 15 yards of space they’re just going to pass around you. In the second half we came out and credit to the boys they gave it a right go.

“We got away a bit from what we’re good at but in the second half we did cause them problems.

“The first two goals, the second one’s a deflection and the first one’s a worldie. Apart from that I didn’t have a lot to do but I never gave up hope.”