From the first whistle to the last, it was a frantic Glasgow derby match-up, with goals scored in each of the four halves that were played across 120 minutes.

Despite suffering a number of setbacks, including going behind twice in the game and getting pegged back when they'd taken the lead, the young Celts showed a tremendous fighting spirit to continue playing their football.

The U18s coach was impressed with his side’s mentality on the big stage, as they continued to impose themselves on the big occasion.

“You go into these huge experiences like a cup final and you’re never 100 per cent sure how it might go,” he said. “As much as you know the boys, it’s a different and unique environment for them.

“It’s not like they are a Callum McGregor or a Joe Hart, who have seen all these big games come and go!

'I’m really pleased with how they applied themselves throughout.'

“After conceding a goal early, and not having the best start to the game, I thought they composed themselves well and got the two quick goals to go back in front.

“Even in the disappointment of being pegged back, I thought they handled themselves extremely well, they focused on the task at hand.

“We tried as best we could to play our style of football. I thought some of the goals, and chances we created were terrific.”

Lifting silverware at Hampden Park is a very familiar sight for Celtic, and the same can be said in the Scottish Youth Cup dating back to the mid-1980s.

Victory on Wednesday evening secured the Hoops’ 16^th triumph in this competition, with the closest competitors being Rangers who have lifted the trophy eight times.

Players such as Callum McGregor and Anthony Ralston have enjoyed success on this occasion, before going on to do the same at first-team level.

And McLaren is hopeful that this experience can help fuel the youngster’s development further, as he revealed how the players were given some extra inspiration in the dressing room before the game.

He said: “Before the game, we put up on the players' lockers photographs of themselves in Celtic kits. We spoke about how proud those young boys and their families must be of the journey they have been on.

“So to reach this kind of occasion in their career, and have this wee bit of success is obviously great for them.

'It’s a memory that will last a lifetime, and it gives them that experience of what it takes to win trophies for this football club.'

“We just hope now that fuels them even more, to go and try to strive and reach the heights of the first team, playing Champions League, winning Championships and Scottish Cups here at Hampden with the big team!”

Stuart McLaren: I am thrilled to see the boys lift silverware at Hampden