Sunday 19 April 2015 18:19, UK
Inverness boss John Hughes said his side deserve their place in the Scottish Cup final for all the hard work the players have put in since he became manager.
David Raven’s goal four minutes from the end of extra-time sealed a 3-2 win over Celtic in a dramatic and somewhat controversial semi-final at Hampden Park.
Celtic took the lead through Virgil van Dijk's free-kick before they had claims for a penalty waved away just before half-time when the ball struck Josh Meekings' hand a yard from goal.
The Highlanders were awarded a penalty 10 minutes into the second half when Celtic goalkeeper Craig Gordon was sent off for bringing down Marley Watkins.
Greg Tansey equalised from the spot and Raven settled the match at the death after Edward Ofere and John Guidetti had made it 2-2 in extra-time.
Hughes accepted that his side rode their luck at times but said he was thrilled for everyone connected with the club as they sealed their spot in the final for the first time.
"The sending off changed the game in Inverness' favour, but as I said before the game, what these boys have done for me since I came to the club, they deserve that today,” Hughes said.
"I'm absolutely delighted to be there. Well done to the boys and supporters.
“First and foremost I’m delighted for the club and everyone involved at Inverness from the chairman right through to the groundsmen – we’re all together.
“We’ve not got much but it creates a great siege mentality which creates a spirit and I felt you saw that today.
“But what these boys have given me from the minute I walked in the door, with demand on them to be a winner, I wouldn’t lower my standards and they’ve come up to that. I felt today that you’ve probably seen that – absolutely different class.”
Hughes also said that he sympathised with Ronny Deila after his side survived that controversial first-half penalty claim.
Afterwards he said: "I haven't seen it yet but probably going by the reaction of the Celtic players we probably got away with a penalty with Josh Meekings and if that is the case, then maybe a sending off.
"I know Ronny will feel really aggrieved because I certainly would.
"That is part and parcel of football, we needed that wee bit of luck to beat Celtic."
However, Hughes was full of praise for his squad, saying they have had to overcome the loss of key personnel to reach the final, including skipper Richie Foran and goalkeeper Dean Brill, who was injured in last week’s clash with Celtic, as well as having to cash in on striker Billy Mckay in January.
He said: “It’s the first time the club has been in the Scottish Cup final and we’re still going for that European spot working with a squad of 17.
“We lost our inspirational skipper right at the start of the year with a knee problem, our goalkeeper, had to sell our striker – it just keeps mounting up but it just galvanises us and we just keep going and going.
“We got that little bit of luck today - the sending off being the swing of the game and probably with the penalty - that you need to beat Glasgow Celtic.
“But I’m absolutely delighted for everyone concerned in Inverness and the supporters and hopefully that will encourage the next generation and the young supporters to support their local club.”
The former Falkirk boss also admitted that he had considered taking goal hero Raven off before he popped up with the late winner which was only his second goal for Inverness and third in his career.
He said: "Coming up to extra-time he was sitting on the grass and I pulled him up by the scruff of the net and said, 'don't show any weakness'.
"Sitting down is weakness for me. You stand up.
"And I have to be honest, before he scored the goal I was looking to change it. I was going to put Aaron Doran in at right-back but more as a winger so he could take the left-back on.
"Thankfully I didn't do that and David came up with the goal."
The one down side for Caley was the booking for defender Gary Warren which rules him out of the final, after suspension also cost him a place in last season's Scottish League Cup final defeat to Aberdeen at Parkhead.
Hughes said: "That is a rule that I would look at. To deny someone the opportunity to play in a cup final, especially the Scottish Cup final with the history of it, that rankles with me.
"If it is a straight red in the semi-final, by all means, you don't play, but if it is two bookings that rules you out, you need to look at that.
"Gary is an absolute gentleman, he has come in to the game late and gives you everything he has got. I am gutted for him."
With Falkirk now up next in the final, Hughes added: “It'll be a right good cup final, and hopefully it is for Scottish football."
