Related items

• Use of Hampden for Scottish Cup final great for women’s game – Claire O’Riordan

  Claire O’Riordan believes the use of Hampden Park for Celtic’s Scottish Cup final win over Rangers is another step in the right direction for the women’s game.

  The first time the two sides had met in the final of the competition was also the first time the showpiece finale was hosted at the national stadium where second-half goals from Natasha Flint and O’Riordan saw the Hoops retain the trophy with a 2-0 win.

  After the game, watched by a crowd of 10,446, Republic of Ireland international O’Riordan said: “Obviously, that shows a stepping stone in the right direction in the women’s game to be able to put it on such a stage, the progression that the SFA have been able to put into the women’s game and the support and exposure that has come with that.

  “It can only mean that the game can utilise that and continue to grow and again, it is really important for women’s football here in Scotland and around the world.”

  Celtic missed out on the league title last week after Glasgow City’s dramatic last-gasp winner against Rangers at Ibrox rendered the Hoops’ 2-0 win over Hearts at Celtic Park irrelevant.

  O’Riordan said: “Obviously, it was difficult finishing off the season the way we did last week but in some ways, we took the positives, another record crowd at Celtic Park (15,822) and another three points to finish off the league season.

  “And we just got back into work as we do every day, every week and we reaped the rewards today.

  “It was a tough task but the most important thing was we stuck together and grinded out the result.”

  Hoops boss Fran Alonso admitted the victory was “the perfect ending” for his side.

  He said: “This week was very hard to pick the girls up, which was our dream.

  “Credit to Glasgow City, they deserved it but football was cruel to us.

  “We transferred this anger and disappointment into aggression and passion and today – against a superb team – we dominated the game.

  “We could have scored more. I am extremely proud and it was what the girls deserved. They never give up and never let me down.

  “I told them before game even if we don’t win the game that I was proud of them – they have been 10 out of 10 this season. But that is the perfect ending. It is a very special day for me and my family.”

  It was Malky Thomson’s last game as Rangers boss before he returns to the club’s academy.

  The Light Blues secured the Sky Sports Cup earlier this season but came third in the league before their Scottish Cup final disappointment.

  He said: “You get to the latter stages of any competition and you want to try and win it, so there are a lot of emotions.

  “We have given a good account of ourselves across a long, hard season.

  “There are fine margins. When you create opportunities you have got to take them.

  “I have to say that no matter what, we have always been playing for something this season. That is a major positive.

  “We won one trophy, we got to the Scottish Cup final and we came close to retaining the title so there are a lot of positives.

  “It is a work in progress. That is three years we have been professional.

  “There have been massive expectations at this club. The learning experience they have gained will stand them in good stead for next season.”

• Dundee United’s relegation confirmed following defeat at Motherwell

  Dundee United’s relegation from the cinch Premiership was confirmed as they fell to a 3-2 defeat at Motherwell.

  The Terrors required a victory and an eight-goal swing in goal difference to avoid the drop but they were unable to produce a great escape at Fir Park.

  Kevin van Veen took his incredible scoring run to 11 consecutive matches by breaking the deadlock after five minutes – setting a new Scottish Premiership record in the process.

  United responded through Jamie McGrath’s penalty and Steven Fletcher coolly fired Jim Goodwin’s side ahead early in the second half, but Motherwell would come surging back.

  Blair Spittal levelled after 69 minutes before Max Johnston grabbed a winner shortly after having a goal ruled out for offside.

  Spittal saw a shot gathered at the second time of asking as the home side threatened in the first minute.

  The opening goal arrived after five minutes when Sean Goss dispossessed Glenn Middleton and slid a neat through ball to Van Veen, who coolly rounded the goalkeeper before slamming the ball into the net.

  United were in desperate need of a response, and a good stop by Liam Kelly prevented Middleton drawing them level in the 10th minute. Fletcher was then denied an equaliser by an excellent goal-line clearance from Paul McGinn.

  Van Veen almost doubled his tally after he connected with Stephen O’Donnell’s cross, only for his header to clip the crossbar and drift over the top.

  Referee Steven MacLean awarded the visitors a penalty following a VAR check on the half-hour which showed Bevis Mugabi to have handled inside the area.

  McGrath stepped up to take the resulting spot-kick and he powerfully dispatched the ball beyond the reach of Kelly to restore parity for Goodwin’s men.

  Mikael Mandron passed up a glorious chance to head Motherwell back in front when he failed to hit the target following good work from Van Veen.

  Fletcher’s close-range header struck the outside of a post just before half-time, though the striker would complete the turnaround three minutes into the second half – giving their travelling supporters a glimmer of hope that they could orchestrate a miracle turnaround.

  Peter Pawlett did well to link with McGrath before surging forward, and he teed-up Fletcher for the simplest of finishes past Kelly.

  A superb save by Jack Newman prevented Mugabi’s point-blank header from finding the net and there was a further chance for Mandron before James Furlong’s low drive somehow stayed out after striking a post and flashing across the goal-line.

  The equaliser eventually arrived with 21 minutes remaining on the clock, Spittal drilling the ball beyond the despairing Newman from the edge of the box.

  Johnston saw a goal ruled out for offside as the home side continued to press and Goss really should have taken on a shot himself rather than squaring the ball to Van Veen who was hampered by a tight angle.

  Johnston was not to denied second time around when he found the net again with eight minutes left on the clock, turning home Furlong’s cross to put beyond any doubt that the Tannadice side would be relegated.

• Silverware no definition of successful career for Willian

  Willian believes success in football does not necessarily equate to a cabinet full of silverware, highlighting Harry Kane as an example.

  The Fulham attacker was a two-time Premier League winner during his time with Chelsea, and collected medals in the FA Cup, EFL Cup and Europa League.

  In addition, the 34-year-old won the 2019 Copa America with Brazil and was a member of his nation's squad when they came fourth at home in the 2014 World Cup.

  But when asked what defines success in football, he suggested that trophies do not solely define the legacy of a player's career.

  "I think it's a mix of several factors," he told Stats Perform. "It is to win titles, [it] is to be playing at a high level.

  "Sometimes there are players who don't win titles, but play at a high level and are always playing well, always scoring goals. Harry Kane, for example, for me, is a great player

  "[He] is always at a high level at Tottenham, playing very well and scoring goals, but I don't think he has any career titles as a professional. Can you say that he was not successful in football?

  "It depends. It is a mixture of things. It depends a lot on what it means to be successful in football. For me, the most important thing is for the player to be playing well, and the title becomes a consequence of the work."

  Despite his success, Willian acknowledged there are two major honours that have eluded him, at club and international level, but he adds their absence from his collection does not detract from his other successes.

  "One is the Champions League and the other is the World Cup," he noted. "Every player has that dream.

  "Those are the two titles I'd really like to win, but if I don't win them, I'm satisfied with my career and the titles I've already won."

  Willian has spent nine seasons in the Premier League, more than he has in any domestic top-flight competition, and he maintains it remains the strongest he has played in.

  "The Premier League is the best league in the world," he added. "You'll never have an easy match.

  "It might get easier during the game, and you might beat the other team, but you're never going to go into the match thinking it's going to be easy, thinking you're going to win 4-0.

  "It is a very difficult league. The last one can take points from the first one, and it is very competitive and that is why it becomes the best in the world."