Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers praised the mentality and desire of his team after they battled to victory over Rangers to lift the League Cup at Hampden.
Both sides led in a frantic, topsy-turvy contest, with Celtic looking to have won the game late on through Nicolas Kuhn only for Rangers to immediately equalise through Danilo and force extra time.
Celtic won it in the end though as Ridvan Yilmaz was the only man to miss in the penalty shootout, with Daizen Maeda slotting home the winning spot kick and giving Rodgers the tenth trophy across his two spells as Celtic manager.
Rodgers was delighted with the character shown by his men on a day when he was far from satisfied with their overall play.
“Well, I think it's really all about mentality and getting through,” Rodgers said.
“Obviously, to be in front and then get pegged back, it's not ideal, but it can happen in a cup final.
“There's nothing to lose. There's no second chances. But I just said it's the team now that has the desire to win this and that will come out in the end.
“But I think it was a great final. A Celtic Rangers game that finishes 3-3 after extra time and goes to penalties. People will get their money's worth watching it.
“But ultimately, you want to be on the right side of it and thankfully we were.”
Celtic will be making the most of their free midweek to savour their trophy victory, with Rodgers stressing the importance of marking the achievement as a bookend to a hugely satisfying opening to their campaign.
“It's about celebrating this one,” he said.
“And celebrating it well. And to be with your families and enjoy it.
“And then we're back in on Wednesday getting ready for Dundee United. And that is it. That is it.
“We've done so, so well since pre-season. You always want to put a marker down if you can win that first trophy. It can give you that huge lift.
“And it's really a reward for how the players have been up until this point. They can enjoy it. Put it to bed.
“And it's our next game, it's the most important one. And then we see how the season progresses from there.
“They deserve huge credit for putting that energy into the game to make it the spectacle that it was. So, yes, to have that opportunity to recover now and get ready, because obviously it's a really busy spell. Not just to the end of this month, but we've actually got more games in January.
“But you have to enjoy these moments. It's such a special win for us today.
“I know the magnitude of this game. Celtic and Rangers worldwide and both sets of supporters. And it means so much to people's lives. So I come into every game, I think it's maybe my 20th game. But I always treat it like the first and prepare that way.
“But as I said, it's all about coming out on the other side. And the guys showed a big heart to come back from being behind in the game. And then to obviously show that composure in the penalties.
“And the most important thing is being on the podium at the end, and they achieved that.”
Rodgers reserved special praise for matchwinner Maeda, who also scored Celtic’s second goal of the day as his energy allowed him to press Rangers into an error, with the Celtic manager saying that the winger is becoming something of an icon at the club.
“[His goal] was fantastic,” he said.
“I think that he's up against an opponent who's really, really good going forward. So, he has to do that work. But then he has that persistence and mentality to do it on the other side as well.
“He's becoming a real iconic figure here at the club, with and without the ball. So, yes, delighted for him.”
