Celtic’s Hampden heroes last night paid tribute to the incredible backing that they received from the hoops support.
For well over two hours Stevie Frail’s side were roared on to victory before celebrating wildly in front of the support.
At half-time in Sunday’s first team match against Dundee United the u-19 double winners will take a bow before the Celtic support with Frail looking forward to thanking the fans.
“We had fantastic support, they were incredible,” the hoops coach said. “It’s hard not to be cliched but they are easily the greatest fans in the world.
“The kids really appreciate the backing they get. They got a great reception last season at Celtic Park when they were presented with their trophies and Sunday is going to be special.
“With the first team going for the double and the club on the up it’s going to be amazing for the boys on Sunday.
“It’s a great feeling to be presented with trophies in the pitch. They got so much applause especially in that little corner where The Green Brigade are.”
Die-hard defender and season ticket holder Lewis Toshney added: “ Words can’t describe how I felt looking up to the support and seeing my family in the crowd was unbelievable. It was special and something that I’ll never forget for the rest of my life.
“There was a 50-seater down from Lochee and that was amazing.
“I know a few folk in The Green Brigade and their turn out for a youth cup final was absolutely exceptional.
“I can’t wait for Sunday’s match, being from Dundee I’ll know some of the United supporters but I can’t wait to get round the pitch with the trophies.”
Greig Spence opened the scoring last night and after cheering the first team at Ibrox on Sunday was delighted to be on the pitch at Hampden sampling that special derby atmosphere.
“You could see at the end what it meant to us, it was an amazing feeling,” the Fifer admitted.
“You’re in the crowd at Ibrox supporting the team and wish that you were out there. Tonight was a good taste of what the club is about, you feel part of it.”
Spence who was substituted with eight minutes left to play added: “I was starting to cramp up again. I’ve not played 90 minutes all season and put in a lot of running.
“There was no point in trying to struggle on so I said to Stevie that I’d need to come off.
“I came off at 1-0 and thought that my name would be in the headlines so it was devastating when Rangers equalised as were all the boys.
“I knew that we’d get it back and that our fitness would prevail. Liam (Gormley) is a fantastic player whose had a really hard time with injuries and not playing.
“What a way to respond. We know that he has the ability and I’m glad he took his chance. When he was running in I was thinking ‘Sean Fitzharris Sean Fitzharris’ then he put it in the top corner. It was deja-vu.”
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Bert, yes both full backs were the best players on show, sadly both are NOT being offered terms by the club, both big Celtic fans so heartbreaking for the bhoys , but they did thereselves their families proud, Stephen been at the club 2 years and was out for most of last year injured, Keiran has been with Celtic since he was 9yrs old , 10 years!!! Couldn’t have done any more.U19 International and scored on his debut in September.
Hopefully both with flourish away from their club, and also all the other bhoys who helped the club to a double double!!
Irony is a totally outplayed Rangers team have given all there 92s 2 year deals!!
Anyone at the game can make there own mind up on that.