Jeremie Frimpong endured the toughest test of his young career at Hampden Park yesterday.
Up against Rangers' £7million man Ryan Kent, the Celtic defender was forced to defend for his life during difficult spells of a 90 minutes where his side were outplayed for a majority.
The defender called it as it was, the hardest game of his life.
Jonny Hayes hails Celtic's Fraser Forster as best in the country after Betfred Cup final heroics
Shown a straight red card for hauling Alfredo Morelos down inside the box, the ex-Man City kid was relieved to see Fraser Forster save the resultant penalty.
And while he accepts a spot-kick was the correct call for referee Willie Collum to make, being sent-off for it was tough to take.
He said: "It was the hardest game of my life so far, really hard," he told BT Sport.
"But as a team we stayed strong, got our chance, scored and defended well so it was really good.
"It is a penalty but you see Chris went to clear it and it ricocheted. [Morelos] was through on goal, so I had to.
"The red card was harsh, the penalty was right but it wasn't a red card."
He added: "I heard a fan shouting but I had my head turned so didn't know which side it was for then I knew it was our side so I was buzzing.
"Then it was the worst feeling ever because the minutes go so slow, I wanted to cry.
"But when they blew the whistle I was buzzing."
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