Ange Postecoglou's FULL reaction to Celtic's 2-0 win over Kilmarnock

Congratulations on making it to the League Cup final what were your thoughts on the game?

It was a tough game. It was a cup semi-final and you expect that. All credit to Derek (McInnes) and his boys as I thought they gave everything to the contest. We had to match it today. The conditions weren't great and the pitch was not in great condition which is disappointing as we knew it would be a battle before the game started. Again it is a credit to the boys and this team as it is not always just about the football there is a real desire and willingness there to overcome any challenge and they did that today.

Two disallowed goals do you have any complaints about either of them?

They are offside.

Were you lucky late on with the penalty claim that Kilmarnock had?

Well you know I'm a pretty lucky man so I just think it's filtering through to the team.

Does that show the character of the team when your backs are against the wall like that?

I don't think it was back against the wall. I just thought it was a battle. It was an arm wrestle. It was a cup semi-final played in trying conditions where we never going to get open space and be able to play through them as the conditions and their application to their gameplay didn't allow us. Your ultimate goal is to overcome whatever you need to do out there and this team have consistently done that and that is why we are in this position. We rarely lose because whatever is thrown at us this group of players as a collective find a way to get the job done.

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Was it sheer desire that got you through it as there were some difficult moments?

Yes desire. It's all part of it there was discipline, and structure in those kinds of conditions and it is very easy to do something rash. Mistakes are going to happen because of the nature of the contest and the conditions that were presented before us. It is how you react to those mistakes. I thought we were focused and concentrated and Joe (Hart) made a couple of great saves which we have not needed him to do at all lately at the other end we created the moments we needed to get the goals we needed.

You have mentioned the pitch and the conditions do you think we need to think about when we have showpiece games like this for the fans as much as the players?

You can't control the Scottish weather that is almost impossible. I was disappointed in the state of the pitch as I thought that would be better. You know when you come to Hampden it is a showcase event and you want the conditions to be the best they possibly can be. You can't control the weather and even when I walked out before the game I was disappointed with the pitch. There is a game there tomorrow and it is going to be tough for the two teams as well.  I think if you are going to have showcase events and everyone is watching them you want to present them in the best possible condition. I don't know how much football has been played on it but for a cup semi-final, you want the best possible conditions.

What was the issue at the pitch level?

I think everyone saw what the conditions were like. It does not have a great grass cover. I went to Motherwell's pitch recently and it was perfect. I am not here complaining. I was asked a question about showcase events and presenting everything in the best possible manner at Hampden for big games. When you go to a venue for big games you just expect the pitch to be in the best possible condition considering everything.

Would you hope it is in a lot better state for the final?

Yes, you would because I just think all eyes are always on these games and you want everything to be presented in the best possible manner. It portrays the whole competition in a good light. I don't know the background of it and how much football has been played on it. I'm not sure. When you have a venue like this it is designed for big games and you hope that it is presented well.

How exciting is it to get another trophy with another big occasion for your players and supporters?

Absolutely. That's the great thing. We have given our supporters another trip out here for another cup final. When you start the season that's your goal and ambition at this football club. You want to be present when the trophies are handed out to give yourselves an opportunity and that's great. We will park it as we have a game on Wednesday night. In terms of what we needed to do today was that when the final white went we gave our supporters the opportunity to contest another trophy.

How keen are you to strengthen again and are you confident that you will?

We are still working on things and we are constantly trying to make the squad stronger. I think we need to and I want to and I don't want us to stand still at any time. The three boys we all have brought in will make a contribution. They haven't today but I have no doubt that they will contribute. If there is an opportunity to make us stronger again we will take it. I want us to take it. For us it is about insuring we never stand still and that we are always looking to improve in every aspect of our football club.

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Whatever happens with Giorgos Giakoumakis I thought he showed a great attitude by getting his goal today didn't he?

He always has. I kept getting asked questions about him and Josip (Juranovic). I see them in training every day and their attitude is first-rate. If you look at our second goal it is (James) Forrest to David (Turnbull) to Giakoumakis and that's the three guys I put on. They are not sitting around moping that they are not starting. They understand that for us to be successful then we need a strong squad and whether you start or not the opportunity still exists whether you play 60 minutes or 30 minutes to contribute to your team and that is the attitude of the boys. It was brilliant for Giako to get his and the three contributors to the second goal is a testament to the attitude of the boys at the moment.

Have you had any concrete bids for Giorgos Giakoumakis?

If anybody bids in concrete then I will certainly not entertain it. There is nothing. There is going to be speculation between now and the end of the window. Michael (Nicholson) deals with the majority of that and if it gets to me we know it's serious but there is nothing that I need to address.