The mixed feelings that muted his celebrations were understandable but the important message to everyone at Celtic was that Gary Mackay-Steven had the professionalism to put the boot into his old mates when they were down on Saturday.

Compassion may have been registered in the reaction, but not when it came to doing his job by scoring an outstanding opening goal.

"Dundee United's the past in terms of my career," the 24-year-old said yesterday.

"It was nice to see the boys but I'm a Celtic player now and I just never really look back, just look ahead. I'm really enjoying it here and I'm glad to be here.

"I didn't want to celebrate really out of respect for the time I had at Dundee United. I had a great four years there and really enjoyed it so it was just a bit of that, but obviously the next goal I score I'll be celebrating a bit more."

Key performers for United in their run to Hampden, the aftermath of the League Cup final in particular was always going to be odd for both Mackay-Steven and Stuart Armstong, with whom he left the Tannadice club.

"I was definitely not putting a shirt on," Mackay-Steven acknowledged.

"We did go down and congratulate the lads for winning and obviously we kind of consoled the Dundee United boys a bit as well.

"It was a strange situation for us both because we played the whole competition with Dundee United and for Celtic to win was great for Celtic and we want to win the treble here and that was the first step to doing that, so it was just a case of going down and congratulating the boys while being in the background."

"I didn't really speak to an awful lot of (the United players) too much. What can you say really? You're trying to say keep going and keep positive, but it's kind of difficult.

"On Saturday I caught up with a few of them after the game and it was just nice seeing them and wishing them all the best for the season. There are a lot of them I'm close with and I'm sure I'll see them outside of football, but so far it's been quite busy, I haven't had a chance.

"They're all delighted for both me and Stuart. They're a great bunch and they've not had the best of results lately, but I'm sure they'll bounce back."

There is, though, relief that it will be a while before they encounter one another on the pitch again.

"I think everyone, not just me, both teams will be glad to have different opposition the next game and just put that behind us and move on," he said.