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Callum McGregor credits Scotland penalty exploits for cup final success

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."

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Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
Championship Group
1Celtic000080265478
2RangersRangers000072234975
3Hearts000046341262
4Kilmarnock00004334951
5St Mirren00003843-543
6Dundee00004454-1041
Relegation Group
1Hibernian00004451-739
2Motherwell00004651-537
3Aberdeen00003549-1435
4St Johnstone00002446-2231
5Ross County00003256-2430
6Livingston00002259-3718
 
First Phase
1Celtic33246380265478
2RangersRangers33243672234975
3Hearts33195946341262
4Kilmarnock33131284334951
5St Mirren33127143843-543
6Dundee331011124454-1041
7Hibernian33912124451-739
8Motherwell33813124651-537
9Aberdeen33811143549-1435
10St Johnstone33710162446-2231
11Ross County3379173256-2430
12Livingston3339212259-3718


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