ROBBIE NEILSON believes it was the greater strength in depth of Rangers that was the telling factor as his Hearts team went down to defeat in the Scottish Cup Final, saying that the quality their opposition brought off the bench made the difference.
CRAIG HALKETT says that there was hardly anything between Hearts and Rangers at Hampden as Robbie Neilson’s men fell just short in the Scottish Cup Final.
THEY may not have won the prize they coveted in the end, but even former Celtic manager Martin O’Neill is magnanimous enough to admit that Rangers’ run to the Europa League Final has given Scottish football a major boost. Now he wants Celtic to show that they too are capable of competing on the continental stage once more.
THE overwhelming feeling expressed by Rangers supporters following their heartbreaking Europa League Final defeat, aside from anguish, has been pride. Pride that their team came so close to winning a major European final, particularly given their trials and tribulations over the past decade.
IT is a sign of both the youthful bent to the Celtic squad, and the rising status of Greg Taylor within that group, that the 24-year-old would now consider himself as one of the leaders of the dressing room.
IT is little wonder that while he and many of his Celtic teammates are currently enjoying a bit of well-earned down-time, Anthony Ralston doesn’t really want this season to end.
THE sting of relegation is one that Melker Hallberg knows only too well, and the St Johnstone midfielder isn’t exactly keen to experience that feeling again.
THERE was a common theme to the messages coming out of the jubilant Celtic dressing room on Saturday following the thumping of Motherwell that neatly bookended their Premiership title triumph.
WHEN Takis Fyssas was a Hearts player, there was a belief at the club that they could carry the fight to the Old Firm. Fifteen years after leaving, his opinion hasn’t changed.
GIORGOS GIAKOUMAKIS is savouring the prospect of playing at Celtic Park on a Champions League night, saying that the experience will eclipse even the fervour of the famed atmospheres in his homeland.
