Scottish Cup final: Reaction as Celtic make history by beating Hearts on penalties

Hearts manager Robbie Neilson tells BBC Scotland: "I thought we were absolutely outstanding. To come back in the second half and then recover in the second half of extra-time was phenomenal. It shows all these players are fighting for this club.

"We looked at the teams that had beaten them and the only teams that had done that had played five at the back and three in the middle to try and shut them off, so we did that. Even in the first half, but for a wondergoal and a penalty they didn't have anything else. So the game plan never really changed, it was just to be more aggressive, to get after them.

"I wasn't here last year but I think if that happened last year they couldn't come back from that.

"It shows we can compete against one of the top teams in Scotland. it shows we should be coming to Hampden regularly."

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So, does that take the heat off Neil Lennon or will the wobbly nature of their second-half collapse add ammunition to those calling for him to go?

No doubt fans will remain split but one thing is sure, Celtic cannot afford any more slips in the league, with Rangers so far in front.

Celtic go to Ibrox on 2 January. Before that Old Firm showdown, the champions take on Ross County (H), Hamilton (A) and Dundee Utd (H).

Celtic manager Neil Lennon continues: "It's a very special moment for me on a personal basis. I've been here 20 years and I think I'm the first person to do it (win the treble) as a manager and a player. So I'm in a unique band of one and I'm very proud, but I'm very grateful to the people who supported me and helped me achieve this along the way, especially the players.

"I didn't think we played poorly at all. I thought it was a great cup final. I'm so pleased that we've won it. So pleased for the fans as well. It's just an unbelievable achievement, incredible.

"The weight of all this expectation has gone. That's 12 trophies in a row, we're out of the League Cup, and now we can just focus on the league and cup again. Trophies aren't easy to win, that's 12 in a row and you'll never see that again."

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Celtic manager Neil Lennon tells BBC Scotland: "The weight of expectation, they're human beings at the end of the day. This has never been done before and you can see how difficult it is.

"We said before the game we'd come up against a very heavily motivated team, we did, but we had good control of the game and we just came off it a little bit. And then we get the third goal and you're thinking 'see it out' and we can't do that. It's just pure drama.

"It's a monumental achievement. I would like to dedicate it to Mr Desmond, Peter (Lawwell) and the board for their unwavering support over the last few months, it's been a difficult time, and the players, they've been absolutely magnificent. They really felt it today, you could see that, the longer the game went on you could see the anxiety coming in and it showed. I even watched the penalties on a screen with our analyst, just the two of us, because I just wanted to watch them in the peace and quiet."

Celtic striker Leigh Griffiths tells BBC Scotland: "The only thing missing was the fans. It was a great spectacle.

"Penalty shoot-outs are a lottery and luckily we got the winning ticket.

"I was disappointed it (his extra-time goal) was not to be the winner, but it's a team game. We've won the cup again and I'm buzzing."

Launch it? Kristoffer Ajer could not have hit the final penalty any harder. An absolute rocket from the big defender!

Celtic's winning penalty-taker Kristoffer Ajer tells BBC Scotland: "It's a great feeling. We had some tough weeks but today we had to fight through so much. You see the togetherness in the group. We are a bunch of friends who work hard.

"Hearts are a great team, a lot of experience, it's not the best pitch in Scotland and they made some really great set pieces.

"I had some cramp walking up to that penalty so I had to launch it through the middle."

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What a day for Conor Hazard! The 22-year-old had a few shaky moments during the final but he was the Celtic hero at the end, stopping two Hearts spot-kicks in succession.

And it was just his third start for the champions...

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That's more like it. The Celtic players get their hands on the cup and summon the energy for a spot of celebratory bouncing as fireworks explode into the night over Glasgow's southside.

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Now the Celtic players wander over to pick up the first prize medals. It's all pretty low key, out in the middle of pitch.

The players are so tired they can barely raise a clap.

The exhausted and emotionally drained Hearts players trudge up to collect their runners-up medals, followed by the officials, who get some kind of commemorative gong.

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Quote Message: You can't commend Hearts highly enough. Their spirit, their grit, and game plan as well. In the end Celtic have come to the fore, they've got this quadruple treble and I don't think I'll see anything like that in my lifetime again.

You can't commend Hearts highly enough. Their spirit, their grit, and game plan as well. In the end Celtic have come to the fore, they've got this quadruple treble and I don't think I'll see anything like that in my lifetime again.

You've got to feel for Hearts.

At half-time, the Championship side looked dead and buried but they hauled themselves right back into it to force extra-time.

They had to respond again to make it 3-3 and then edged ahead in the shoot-out, only to wilt at the bitter end.

Robbie Neilson will be gutted but, on that evidence, they are going to breeze back into the Premiership.

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Wow! What a game.

Such a pity Hampden wasn't full of fans for an afternoon of high drama.

Celtic win the Scottish Cup for a 40th time and that completes the quadruple treble.

Kristoffer Ajer hammers it down the middle. Celtic win the cup!

Conor Hazard saves again, this time from Craig Wighton.

Pretty poor pen...

Mikey Johnston makes it level.

Stephen Kingsley's effort is weak and Conor Hazard saves low to his right.

A lifeline for Celtic.