SCOTTISH CUP FINAL Celtic 1-0 Dundee United

"It was a brilliant effort. We deserved to win, but like last week we couldn't put the game away," he admitted.

"We missed some great chances and 1-0 is never enough. They hit the bar and that would have been harsh on us if that had gone in.

"It was a great final effort from what is a terrific bunch of players."

O'Neill admitted he would have hated to be leaving Celtic on a losing note, like last weekend.

"At least we had the opportunity to put it right again and where better than the Scottish Cup final?" he said.

"It has been a pretty extraordinary week. It has taken me a bit of time to get over the defeat and my only regret is that, due to the circumstances, I don't have the chance now to try to regain the championship next season."

Man of the match Craig Bellamy said the victory made up in part for the disappointment of losing out to Rangers on the SPL title.

"This means a hell of a lot," said the striker, who insisted he did not know if he would be at Celtic next season.

He's been great for Celtic and Scottish football in general Celtic captain Jackie McNamara on Martin O'Neill

"Last week was so disappointing although credit to Rangers because they had to go to Hibernian and win.

"But we threw it away and that really hurt. But we have bounced back to win this trophy."

Goalscorer Alan Thompson also acknowledged how difficult it had been for the players to lift themselves for the game as a result of last weekend's defeat by Motherwell.

"We have been so down and so low this week," he said.

"You can't really explain how we have been feeling after last weekend.

"Football is a cruel game sometimes but, when the good times happen like today, you have to savour the moment."

Captain Jackie McNamara said the overwhelming emotion at the end was one of relief.

"We made it hard for ourselves again," he added.

McNamara explained the thinking behind the players' decision to send O'Neill up to collect the trophy.

"It was something all of the players felt was right. It was just a small token of our appreciation for what he's done here over the past five years," he said.