MX23RW : Sunday, December 27 06:38:17| >> :120:41992:41992:

Callum McGregor credits Scotland penalty exploits for cup final success

Callum McGregor credits Scotland penalty exploits for cup final success
© Reuters
The Hoops beat Hearts on penalties in the Scottish Cup final to complete a quadruple treble.

Callum McGregor believes his experience in Scotland's victorious penalty shoot-outs helped in Celtic's dramatic William Hill Scottish Cup final win over Hearts on Sunday.

The Hoops midfielder scored his penalties in shoot-out wins over Israel in October and Serbia in November which took the Scots into next summer's European Championship.

He also scored from the spot in the 3-2 Europa League win over Lille earlier in the month and he was among the five Celtic volunteers after a thrilling final at Hampden Park ended 3-3 after extra time.

Again McGregor netted and two saves from Conor Hazard, playing only his third game for the Parkhead club, ultimately allowed Kristoffer AjerΒ to smash in the winner to secure an unprecedented quadruple treble and take the trophy back to the east end of Glasgow for the 40th time.

Asked if the Scotland penalty shoot-outs had helped him when stepping up to face Jambos keeper Craig Gordon, he told the William Hill Scottish Cup Twitter account: "Yes, I think so.

"When you take them regularly you get a feel for it.

"They are always pressure moments, in penalty shoot-outs there is no room for error. You just have to trust your technique and hope for the best and I'm thankful it went in.

Callum McGregor scores in Scotland's shoot-out against Israel
Callum McGregor built up his penalty shoot-out experience on international duty (Andrew Milligan/PA)

"Obviously it was a really tense day. Performance-wise, the first half was excellent.

"The second half we came off it and gave Hearts the chance to get back into the game.

"Cup finals are always edgy but the main thing was we got the trophy and finished off the quadruple treble."

ID:427449:cQx

Click here for more stories about Callum McGregor

Click here for more stories about Celtic

Share this article now:
Did you know...?
Celtic manager Neil Lennon pictured on August 22, 2020
Read Next:
Neil Lennon delighted to rewrite record books
>
Latest Sports Video
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free match previews newsletter! Updates are sent twice a week.

rhs 2.0
Todays Game Header Right
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1RangersRangers2018205454956
2Celtic17124142142840
3Aberdeen1911532718938
4Hibernian20106430181236
5Dundee UnitedDundee Utd206771724-725
6Livingston197392226-424
7Motherwell206592326-323
8St Mirren1963101425-1121
9Kilmarnock2052131928-917
10St Johnstone2045111830-1217
11Hamilton AcademicalHamilton2052132145-2417
12Ross County2034131038-2813

Subscribe to our Newsletter


Transfer Talk Daily
Match previews - twice weekly
Morning Briefing (7am UTC)
Ultra close-up image of Kevin De Bruyne [NOT FOR USE IN ARTICLES]Get the latest transfer news, match previews and news direct to your inbox!