BBC SPORT | Football | CIS Ins Cup | O'Neill: 'Celtic were better side'

Alex McLeish looked forward to proudly leading Rangers out in a cup final as Martin O'Neill was left praising his Celtic players and insisting they should have won.

Rangers emerged victorious after a thrilling CIS Insurance Cup semi-final at Hampden Park, their 2-1 win in extra time ending Celtic's hopes of winning back-to-back Trebles.

But there was no gloating by McLeish or devastation from O'Neill - publicly at least - after Tuesday's match won by a 25-yard thunderbolt from Bert Konterman.

O'Neill said defeat would simply make Celtic more determined to retain the league title and the Scottish Cup.

Bert Konterman drives home the winning goal
Bert Konterman earned praise from McLeish

"I was not talking about the Treble and, despite what the papers were saying, neither were my players," he said.

"I thought they were excellent tonight and should have been two or three up early on.

"We dominated for large parts of the first half and all of the second half, but it just wasn't to be and well played to Rangers."

O'Neill had special words of praise for French winger Didier Agathe, who put in an impressive display on his return to action after weeks out through injury.

McLeish was just delighted to have opened his Old Firm account with a victory and to contemplate a final against his former club, Hibernian.

The Edinburgh side must first overcome Ayr United on Wednesday, but McLeish said: "I left Hibs a bit low in confidence but in the semi-finals.

"Hopefully, we will see my old team in the final.

"It will be a very proud moment for me to lead this team out in the final.

"They were brilliant tonight. I asked for 11 giants before the game and the subs played their part too.

"And what a goal to win it for us by big Bert."

Celtic's Henrik Larsson shadows Barry Ferguson

Konterman has been much criticised, but McLeish said: "He is a decent player.

"He had some difficult games and that affects confidence, but he did well against John Hartson tonight."

McLeish was not yet suggesting that the balance of power had changed in Scotland.

"We will keep our feet on the ground as Celtic are a formidable side," he said.

Midfielder Barry Ferguson added: "It means the world to me to reach my first final as captain of Rangers.

"That's 18 months without any silverware and we are desperate to bring something back to Ibrox."