Everything Ange Postecoglou said to the media at Hampden following Celtic's 2-1 League Cup final victory over Hibernian.

How does it feel to be a cup winning manager at Celtic?

I’m usually pretty good but I’m struggling to find the words this time. I’m just really proud of this group of players. As much as players, as people. And the staff. Pretty much from the day I walked in the door we’ve had some sort of challenge in front of us. Almost on a daily basis we’ve had to sort of overcome something and find a way.

I haven’t made excuses or allowances - I simply believe in what we’re trying to do here. Every time we thought it was becoming too much we overcome some obstacle, even today the first time they were in our box they scored and the response has been the same from the moment I arrived.  I’m just really proud of that group of people, who got their rewards tonight. I feel privileged to be a part of it.

Did Hibs surprise you with the way they attacked early doors (in the second half)?

I just felt comfortable. OK, we weren’t creating a lot and we weren’t threatening but we were still controlling the game. I don’t think they’d been in our box -that was the first time, from their corner. It was disappointing to concede from it. I didn’t feel that anxiety after it though. If we hadn’t had an immediate response I might’ve, and they might’ve had the chance to slow the game down. But hitting back straight away was brilliant for us, it gave us the momentum to keep going.

How important is Kyogo for what you want to achieve here?

The bond is no more special with Kyogo than with the other players but I feel a responsibility with him because I brought him here. When you bring somebody from the other side of the world – I don’t think anyone would’ve said he’d have been a cast-iron guarantee to be a hit. But I knew he’d be a fantastic player. He’s an even better person and, when he picked up the injury, there was no way he was not going to play today irrespective of what I was saying or the medical team were saying. He wasn’t 100 per cent but I knew he would play today.

His movement is incredible and the quality of his finishes, to have that composure in such a big game, are two world-class finishes. He knows everyone’s watching him. It’s one of the challenges we have as we’re missing some significant players but these boys keep finding a way.

Is Kyogo success what can entice others to this country?

I have an advantage because I managed on that side of the world and I knew their talent could transfer, in particular to Scottish football. Japanese players have had great success on the continent and, in general, they’ve had fantastic careers in the Bundesliga and places like Holland. They have a good pedigree and some have had good careers in the Premier League (too).

When I took over I was definitely going to use that. Kyogo was always going to be my first pick because I witnessed first-hand the kind of player he was. I’d no doubt he’d be successful for us.

Did this give you a taste for more success?

It doesn’t more or less because that’s the expectation. When I took on this role, while no one knew of me, I knew this football club could not go two or three years without success. I knew, with me accepting this position, that would be the expectation. I wanted that. I would never have accepted the role if I didn’t want that responsibility.

READ MORE: Detailed Celtic player ratings as Kyogo steals the Cup final show and repays Ange Postecoglou's faith

I cannot guarantee success but I was determined that that was the goal (trophies). And it wasn’t going to take me any length of time to get there – I wanted to get there as soon as possible. That’s what the expectation of any Celtic manager is and should be. Just like every other Celtic manager, you don’t rest on your laurels. You get up tomorrow morning and work towards the next one.

How is David Turnbull?

That’s a big change in question.

We’ll see. It looked like a hamstring – and we’re suffering because of the amount of games we’re playing and not being able to rotate the squad a lot has hurt us. That’s why we’re picking these injuries up. We’ll just need to see how he is.

How fit was Kyogo? Was it a risk?

Of course there’s risk. It was a risk putting someone like Dave (Turnbull) out there too, because of the amount of football he’s played. It’s not an exact science. Good luck trying to keep Kyogo out that team today.

There was no chance – he would’ve sneaked on a bus and snuck onto the field at some point! He just had it in his head he was going to play today. He wanted to help the team and the players. He wanted to be a part of it all.

I know his mentality. He felt responsible to go out there and help the players.

What was that moment like at the end with Kyogo?

It’s hard for me to describe it. People look at me as some alien being but I’m no different to any other kid – any kid who grew up in these parts. This is what I dreamt of.

How do you celebrate this success?

Just with my beautiful wife and my boys. The people that are closest to me. I’m going to take a snapshot of it and file it away. Tomorrow I’ll get up and go again.

Will you have some wine or beers?

No, not really. I know I smell like I’ve been drinking a few beers but that’s because of Juranovic and Hart (pouring it on him) – they’re now in for some tough sessions the next few days!

I’ve been very fortunate in my career that I’ve had success. I want to remember them and, for me, I take a little snapshot in my head I can remember. As much as you love success it’s who you share it with that’s important.

I want to know in 20 years time, if I bump into one of these boys and we talk about this day, that I’ll remember it as clearly as possible. I’ll get myself a glass of scotch and remember it.

Is this cup win a huge shot in the arm?

It is. Not for me, but for the group of players and us as a club. I thought it was really important. Right from the start, particularly with our supporters, to sell them some hope because it didn’t go smooth at the start. And to be honest, it hasn’t gone smoothly at any point. We’ve had some real challenges. I needed to give them some hope that there were good times around the corner.

I think they’ve supported us because of that. Success turns that hope into something more tangible. Maybe this team can do some special things. The players, the staff and everyone involved can feed off that.

It’s the manner in which you do it which counts as much as the success itself. This club has had a lot of success over the years and a lot of times it’s been as the dominant team. But we weren’t at the start of this season. I doubt very much that people would have thought we’d have any sort of success this early in the season. We have done that and by overcoming all we have. It definitely builds belief and resilience.

Does the adversity you’ve overcome (since arriving) make this all the sweeter?

Without sounding arrogant, I’ve never doubted myself or wavered in my own self-belief in what I could do. I understood when I took this role that people would be running a book over how long I’d last – some people might’ve had December, but that’s gone out the window. It doesn’t affect me.

It’s not arrogance, it’s just that I’m really passionate about what I do. I have been since I was a little kid. I have a real certainty about the way I want to do things. With that, the more obstacles put in my path, the more I lean in against it. That’s the bit I love. That’s what gets me going.

When it’s smooth I get really irritated. I’ve moved on in every job because I’ve had success and felt ‘what’s the next challenge?’ But there have been challenges so far – and there’s many more to come – I relish it.