Kamara said it was vital Celtic bounced back from their Scottish Cup exit

Celtic's Diomansy Kamara insists securing possible Champions League football for next season was vital after their shock Scottish Cup exit.

The on loan Fulham striker was on target in the 2-0 victory over Dundee United, as Celtic clinched second place in the Scottish Premier League.

"The target was to get to the final of the Scottish Cup but we lost the semi-final," the 29-year-old said.

"The target then was to qualify for the Champions League and we have."

Celtic's hopes of securing silverware in a turbulent season were dashed when they lost 2-0 to Ross County in the semi-finals of the Scottish Cup.

Interim boss Neil Lennon has steered Celtic to five consecutive league wins, including Sunday's fiery victory over United at Tannadice.

We won't win a trophy this season but I think we have a good squad Diomansy Kamara

That win ensured Celtic will finish second behind SPL champions Rangers and Kamara believes there are grounds for optimism.

"We won't win a trophy this season but I think we have a good squad," the Senegalese international said.

"I think the performance against United was terrific. We played well against a good team, beat them and left them 10 points behind.

"So we have qualified for the Champions League and that is the most important thing."

Goals by Kamara and Robbie Keane from the penalty spot secured victory for Celtic and the former could have netted a hat-trick.

"I had a few chances. I scored one and missed a good chance at the start of the second half but the most important thing was to win the game," he added.

When he signed in January, Paris-born Kamara revealed a desire to stay at Celtic after his loan spell expires in the summer.

He also played for Portsmouth and West Brom during his career in England, after starring for Red Star 93, Catanzaro and Modena.

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