Everything Celtic's captain sid to the media following Celtic's 1-0 win over Rangers in the Scottish Cup final on Saturday...

We’ve heard a lot this week in the build-up and on social media. Is this a Celtic team that does its talking on the park?

Yes. I think when you come to these days, the only thing that matters is winning the game. I didn’t see any of the noise as I’m not on social media or anything like that but there’s enough inside our own building to try and prepare the guys and the game plan. We don’t take any notice of it and it’s probably one of the biggest strengths of this group that we don’t care what anybody else thinks. We’re so busy worrying about ourselves and trying to build a new team and squad - we’ve got enough going on with that. I’m absolutely delighted that we’ve peaked at the right time and finished with two trophies. Make no mistake, though, we want to be better next season and that’ll be the remit when we come back in the summer. We’ve got to push forward - we want to get our other trophy back as well! Delighted, great day for the club in another big pressure moment that we’ve came through. We know we have personality in the group and we just have to start to layer everything up and start to get going again and build another strong squad again for next season.

If you’re going to win a cup final, you may as well do it with a 90th-minute winner.

Yeah, well that’s it! I was speaking to Joe (Hart) after the game and what a way to finish off your career. A cup final derby match and you win with a 90th minute goal. Brilliant from the players, we showed everything that we needed to show in the game. Probably not a massive quality within the game but you get the job done by being together. That’s been our message all season - to be together and working for each other. That can carry you a long way in football.

How big a help has Joe Hart been to you this season, for his role and his leadership? Give us an insight into his contributions.

He’s been outstanding, and his stature in the game brings that respect straight away We’ve got a young group that needs help and it can’t be the one voice all the time. If I keep banging the drum all the time then eventually everyone will stop listening because it’s the same voice over and over. Joe has been an unbelievable lieutenant for me. We speak on a regular basis about what we can do with the group to push and motivate the group. He’s been really good for me, just his experience as well. I’ve got to lean on that, I can’t say that I know everything because I don’t, but that’s also good leadership by leaning on strong guys beside you. He’s been unbelievable since he came into the club and he’s leaving with three league titles, a double and a treble. That’s pretty impressive as well.

At any point, did you try and get him to try and reconsider and get him to stay a season longer?

No, his decision was made and straight away I’ve got enough respect for him that he’s thought long and hard about it. I don’t think anything that I would have said would have swayed him anyway!

A couple of moments ago you were talking about next season. Does that typify the mindset of you and the manager?

Yeah, this is the club we play for. After tonight, everybody will be saying ‘What’s happening next season? How can we get stronger?’ and that’s where you need to be to succeed at this club. It’s a club that demands success. The standards are through the roof, and you’ve got to get there or someone will take your place. It’s a nice building block for this season, you see what’s in the group concerning personality and strength of character. We’ve layered everything that we’ve wanted to do and we’ve got a strong squad.

Adam Idah looks as though he would be a nice addition for next season…

Yeah, he’s been hugely important since he’s signed in January. He’s come up with big goals and that’s what you need as a number nine to play for Celtic. Kyogo has been unbelievable and then we supplement him with the big man when needed and in an important time in the game he comes on and gives us a presence and a goal which is a great finish. That’s not an easy finish. 

You mention the excitement of next season but of course, the Euros are before that. What are your thoughts on that? 

I’m buzzing, I can’t wait. A couple of days off and then I’ll meet up with the boys and we’ll start training again on Thursday. I’m feeling good and ready to go. It’ll be an amazingly exciting summer.