Gutted Alex Mitchell confessed he has never experienced such an emotional game of football in his life after St Johnstone’s rollercoaster ride against Celtic.
The heart-on-sleeve centre-half went through the highest of highs by netting a 93rd leveller - his first goal in the professional ranks - only for the Glasgow visitors to regain the lead moments later.
Millwall loan man Mitchell, quickly becoming more of a fans’ favourite with every passing week, had produced another impressive defensive display packed full of bravery, desire and heart.
But when the full-time whistle sounded he was left with his shirt over his head in despair.
“It was very gutting to score your first professional goal against Celtic in the 93rd minute and then concede moments later,” Mitchell admitted. “There are a lot of emotions.
“I think it is the most emotional I have ever been in a football match. I just cared so much.
“Honestly, I ran my absolute heart out and I couldn’t give anything more. To give your best and then lose the game like that is really gutting.
“Football is a cruel game and for myself it is a massive learning curve to get better. I hope I gave a good account of myself.”
Despite falling behind to a first half own goal from Andy Considine, Mitchell felt Saints executed their game-plan well and were rewarded with his close-range neat control and finish.
The 21-year-old realises conceding straight away - and so late in the day - cannot happen again.
“If you watch the game as a neutral then you would think Celtic were all over us,” Mitchell said.
“But, for us, it was a strategical and tactical game.
“We knew the quality they had but we also have quality. And we knew if we could keep our shape and discipline then we would get chances.
“We just can’t keep conceding like that at the end. There was Hibs in the first game of the season too.
“We really need to keep going to the end. It’s our own mistakes and we’re getting punished.”
Despite the last-gasp sickener, Mitchell will forever remember his goal.
“I’ll be honest, I think scoring that was my career high,” he said. “Scoring against players that you have grown up watching, at your home ground, in the last few minutes of the game.
“There was no better feeling at the time and it is one I’ll remember for the rest of my life, 100 per cent.
“My dad was there. I hadn’t seen him in three months. The first family member I’d seen in three months.
“I smiled at him when I scored and that is a moment we are going to remember for the rest of our lives too.”
Mitchell is not one for resting on his laurels and is determined to continue to improve in Perth.
He said: “It’s really positive to know the fans and team-mates like you, and that the gaffer is picking you.
“I still need to go out and perform on the pitch but I feel everyone around me is helping me to settle.
“I can say that I am really privileged to play for this club. We need to keep our heads up and need to now get three points next week.”
