Sunday 23 October 2016 18:34, UK
Brendan Rodgers praised Celtic's perseverance after they got a late winner to beat Rangers 1-0 in the Scottish League Cup semi-finals.
Moussa Dembele's goal two minutes from the end finally gave them victory in a game they dominated for much of the contest.
After Erik Sviatchenko's header was disallowed early in the second half, it seemed the game was heading for extra-time at Hampden Park.
Dembele's intervention ensured that would not be required and that pleased Rodgers, who reached his first cup final as Celtic manager as a result.
He said: "We were very dominant in terms of chances and the power, quality and strength in our game.
"Sometimes you never know if the chances don't go in or maybe you don't get the little bit of luck that is deserving of it. I thought how we went about the game was brilliant.
"The players stopped them building and any time they did try to do that the pressure and intensity of the press we put on them was at a high level.
"When we had the ball we created opportunities and looked a real threat going forward. Every element of our game was at a high level.
"When you consider coming off the back of a really tough Champions League game in midweek, every single one of the players deserve a huge amount of credit for not only the performance but their strength and mentality to get the victory.
"We've kept going, didn't get disappointed and had great discipline in the game. Eventually they got their reward, which is what they deserved."
The goal itself was a genuine moment of quality, with substitute Leigh Griffiths setting up Dembele, who then flicked the ball into the net through goalkeeper Matt Gilks' legs.
Rodgers added: "It was wonderful play. Leigh came on and did what he does best. He looked a real threat and was disappointed he didn't score.
"But he showed his real unselfish nature by just guiding it into Moussa's path and he had a real clever finish to give us the winning goal."
As well as reaching his first final, Rodgers also remains unbeaten in domestic matches since his move to Scotland in the summer.
Celtic have won all bar one of their 12 games against Scottish opponents since then and the former Liverpool boss said: "You can see the collective mentality and spirit within the team.
"I know there are areas here I want to improve over time but the players are performing magnificently well.
"They have that hunger to succeed and are playing the game at a real top-level tempo, both with and without the ball.
"In order to rubber stamp that you want to get trophies and in order to do that you need to get to the final.
"We've got to the final, we can put it to bed now and can concentrate on that in a number of weeks' time. It was a great performance deserving of getting to the final."
