With just over 20 minutes remaining at Hampden and the League Cup semi-final still deadlocked at 0-0, Ange Postecoglou turned to the most experienced member on his bench as his first substitute to try and unlock the St Johnstone defence.

James Forrest has enjoyed many highlights at the National Stadium, and having been introduced for Liel Abada, it took him just five minutes to conjure up another one as he fired home what proved to be the only goal of the game to book Celtic’s place in next month’s final.

Speaking after the semi-final victory, the 30-year-old said: “I was delighted to come on and help the team. It was obviously 0-0 and I’m just glad to have got the chance to contribute and help the team and that’s what I managed to do.

“We started well but I think the players kept patient and the fans stayed with us and didn’t get frustrated. We did have chances in the second-half and it was just about taking one.

'We could have maybe got a couple towards the end as well, which maybe would have made the last five minutes easier, but we’re delighted to be in the final.'

Having been associated with Celtic for his whole playing career, Forrest knows about Bertie Auld’s legacy more than most.

Saturday’s game was the first opportunity for the Celts to pay their tributes to the Lisbon Lion, after his sad passing at the age of 83 last week, and Forrest said it was important they got the result for Bertie and his family.

“The manager touched on Bertie before the game,” he said. “It’s good for his family and for everyone associated with the club that we managed to win and get into the final and make that a better day.”

James Forrest is once again the Hampden hero for the Hoops