Hibs defender Paul McGinn has just been on Premier Sports saying that his side had stopped expecting a substitution when Tom Rogic's free-kick set up Kyogo Furuhashi's winning goal at Hampden.

However, he admits they should have defended it better and we leave you with the image that sums up the bottom line of the 2021 Scottish League Cup final - Celtic are winners for a 20th time thanks to two moments of magic from their new goalscoring hero, Kyogo Furuhashi.

Image source, SNS

There's hardly any time for the two finalists to either celebrate or wallow in self pity, with midweek Premiership fixtures to come.

Celtic don't have far to travel as they face St Mirren in Paisley looking to narrow the seven-point gap between themselves and leaders Rangers after a particularly tasty seventh consecutive win in a row to lift the Scottish League Cup for a 20th time.

Meanwhile, despite playing their part in a thrilling second half at Hampden, Hibs host Aberdeen having only won one game in five but in all likelihood under a new manager, with Shaun Maloney expected to be appointed before then.

A new era is about to start at Easter Road. A new era at Celtic Park under Ange Postecoglou is well under way. Join us for their next instalment on Wednesday.

Pat Bonner
Former Celtic goalkeeper on BBC Sportsound

David Gray says his squad have "given me absolutely everything from the moment I took over. I’m forever grateful to the boys for that".

“I thought all the fans today were absolutely outstanding for us again, as they always have been. We’re obviously gutted we can’t send them back along the M8 with a trophy."

On the speculation surrounding the next Hibs manager, with Shaun Maloney expected to be appointed this week, he adds: “My future and the future of the clubs will be decided in the coming days and we’ll react accordingly."

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Hibernian caretaker boss David Gray tells BBC Scotland: "We asked the players to give everything and have no regrets. I'm proud of how much they put into the game.

"We started the second half really well, got the goal but need to see through that period after we scored. It's disappointing we couldn't.

"The manner we lost the goals was sore, but every player has given me absolutely everything from the minute we were put in charge."

Gray feels Hibs should have been given a second-half penalty for Carl Starfelt's push on Ryan Porteous and queries the free-kick for Celtic's winning goal.

"I don't understand how that's a free-kick," he adds." If it is, how he misses the foul on Ryan Porteous in the penalty box is beyond me. He has to give a penalty.

"It makes it harder to take."

SPFL chief executive Neil Doncaster has congratulated both finalists for making this season's League Cup "a huge success".

"Everyone at the SPFL would like to offer our warm congratulations to Celtic’s players and management team on winning this year’s Premier Sports Cup final," he says.

“We would also like to send our commiserations to everyone at Hibernian, who helped made it a compelling advert for the Scottish game."

Pat Bonner
Former Celtic goalkeeper on BBC Sportsound

Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou says his first task at Celtic was to give the fans "hope" again.

“From the moment I arrived, I've had my head down," he tells BBC Scotland. "I've done the things I believed would set this club back on the track it should be on.

"This isn't a club that should go years without any trophies.

“My first task when I took the role was to give the fans hope; I couldn't guarantee success, but I could give them hope. I feel privileged to be part of this football club."

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Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou adds on BBC Radio Scotland: "It's a bit surreal. We've had a helluva ride from the moment I've arrived, enormous challenges right from the first day. Even today they rose to them.

"I'm just so happy they got their rewards.

"I think Hibs' goal was their first time in our box. It was tight, but we were in control.

"Whatever challenges are put in front of these players, they find a way."

Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou says his first trophy as Celtic is an "emotional" one.

“It’s emotional, I know the significance of it," he tells Premier Sports. "It’s been a hell of a ride so far and I’m just so proud of this group of players.

“I want the pressure. You don’t accept this positon to shy away from special things. We’re still in the beginning and we just want to keep going.

“This is what football’s about. We pass through these clubs, but the support is generational, they pass it on to their kids."

On match-winner Kyogo Furuhashi, he adds: "He’s a brilliant player and a great person too. He was determined to be out there and helps the boys today.

"He's not 100% and, to be honest, I don't know how he did it."

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Celtic defender Nir Bitton hails match-winner Kyogo Furuhashi, telling BBC Scotland: "I'll be honest - we couldn't believe he was playing today. He was injured 10 days ago and did everything he could to be fit.

"He's just a magician. Every time we need a little spark, he's always there. He's unbelievable."

On bouncing back from Celtic's trophyless previous season, Bitton adds: "It feels amazing - every trophy we win here is a great feeling and it's what this club is all about.

"Last season was horrendous, I can't even describe it. No fans, no excitement, no joy and Covid and everything that came with that."

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Celtic goalkeeper Joe Hart is delighted with his first trophy at the club.

“I'm here, I'm part of it and I'm buzzing," he tells BBC Scotland.

“I came up here to do this, it's been a while since I've been involved in a final. It was a special atmosphere.

“It goes without saying, I'm loving life here, it's a top place to be."

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Callum McGregor says his first trophy as Celtic skipper "means the absolutely world to me".

“It puts me up there with other captains who've won something here," he tells BBC Scotland. "I want to say thank you to the guys and the backroom staff.

"We've got a group of guys together and we've got a trophy at the first time of asking. We just want to push on and win more.

"The manager asks everything of us, every day, this is the first trophy with him and hopefully more to come."

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So it wasn't to be for David Gray.

A Scottish Cup winning captain in 2016, the 33-year-old was unable to steer them to League Cup glory in his third game as caretaker manager.

Now there will be speculation about his own future in the Easter Road backroom with Shaun Maloney poised to be named manager on Monday.

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Tom English
BBC Scotland's chief sports writer

A big cheer from a Hampden now half empty and bereft of Hibs fans as Celtic players collect their medals and captain Callum McGregor lifts the League Cup aloft...

Chris Sutton
Former Celtic striker on Premier Sports

What an impact Kyogo Furuhashi has made after joining Celtic this summer.

The Japan striker now has 16 goals and he scores twice in a national cup final where he probably wasn't fully fit given he was an injury doubt as late as yesterday.

It's all over.

Ange Postecoglou wins his first trophy as Celtic manager.

The Glasgow club have won the League Cup for the 20th time.

A deserved win and Kyogo Furuhashi is the goalscoring hero with a double after being an injury doubt before kick-off.

Image source, SNS