Ange Postecoglou tonight lauded Kyogo Furuhashi after watching the Celtic striker make history and score two goals in the League Cup final for the second season running.
Furuhashi netted on either side of half-time to ensure the Parkhead club beat their city rivals Rangers 2-1 at Hampden to retain the Viaplay-sponsored competition.
The Japanese striker, who bagged a brace in the 2-1 win over Hibernian last season, became only the second Celtic player to score doubles in back-to-back League Cup finals.
Billy McPhail previously pulled off the feat in 1956 and 1957 - when he scored a hat-trick in a record-breaking 7-1 win over Rangers.
Postecoglou, whose men can complete a domestic treble in the 2022/23 campaign, believes his £4.6m signing has been rewarded for his hard work and bravery in the final third.
“The measure of players at this club is often how you perform in big games,” he said. “He (Furahashi) has played in two finals for us now and scored four goals. He’s been fantastic from the day he walked in.
“There’s not much of him, but he's a handful and he was fantastic. He’s just an unbelievable young man in terms of his personality. He’s such a clever player and he wants the big moments. He delivered again.
“It’s not about his goals. Obviously they are the most important thing, but he works so hard. He’s another that whatever rewards he gets, they are hard earned.
“He’s not floating about there just waiting for a chance. He’s running his socks off to do things other strikers won’t do because he knows it’s the right thing for the team.
“Players at this football club are often measured by how they perform on the biggest of stages and he delivers again. You look at him, the size he is and the players he is against and he doesn’t shirk any of it. He was outstanding and has been from the moment he joined this club.”
Rangers fought back after falling 2-0 down in the second-half and scored through Alfredo Morelos - and Postecoglou confessed that he only relaxed when referee Nick Walsh blew the final whistle.
The Greek-Australian admitted that he found following in the footsteps of legendary predecessors like Martin O’Neill, Gordon Strachan, Brendan Rodgers and Neil Lennon daunting and stressed that lifting trophies is a pre-requisite of his job.
"It's not about me and how I feel,” he said. “These are just the expectations at this club. I have just spoken to Gordon Strachan. You know how hard it is to follow guys like that? And Martin O'Neill, Brendan Rodgers and Neil Lennon?
"This club is steeped in success so when you take the job you know that's the responsibility. That doesn't diminish the achievement. We still celebrate as we don't take it for granted. You don't just roll up in a Celtic shirt and it's given to you. You have to earn it and we did."
“The overwhelming feeling is relief. People think you are jumping for joy, but it’s relief as you know how much it means to people: the players, everyone at the club and the supporters.
“You carry that burden for 95 minutes and when the final whistle goes it’s just relief. You watch the players, the fans, and what it means to them. I take great pride in it. It’s a day I’ll remember forever. We’ve been consistent for a very long time. We don’t let our standards slip in terms of our football.
“We had to earn it, we played some fantastic football and just couldn’t put them away. You know Rangers are going to come at you, but we defended well. We got through a sticky patch and then Rangers had to open up, and we had chances to get a third.
“We haven't had many off days because we never look too far ahead and never look too far back. That’s why we have been so relentless in our approach. The reason I push them is for days like this. Come Tuesday we focus on a tough game at a tough venue.”
