Celtic manager Gordon Strachan insisted it had not been easy for his side despite easing into the CIS Cup semi-finals at the expense of Rangers. "We had to work incredibly hard at times to win the ball out there," Strachan said after the 2-0 victory.
"We stayed above the often scarey atmosphere in terms of how you expect an Old Firm tie be played.
"The result is first and foremost. But to play like that is an added bonus and we're feeling good about ourselves."
Strachan revealed that a pep-talk for goalscorer Shaun Maloney helped the young forward improve his display in the second period.
"He wasn't at his best in the first half," he said.
"He told me at half-time that he could play better than this and I said 'you're right'. His goal was fantastic, but I am expecting a bit more and he gave it."
MMIX
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