Celtic's Mark Wilson quick to claim deflected goal and urge long-term deal for manager

Playing such a significant part in Celtic's victory was quite a way to round off a season where Wilson has come back in from the cold.

Even excluding the shot on Saturday which he saw deflected into the net by Stephen Craigan, Wilson has enjoyed a remarkable season. He played a significant part in Celtic's cup run having scored the winner against Rangers in the fifth round replay that was overshadowed by red cards and sideline bust-up between Neil Lennon and Ally McCoist. Other goals, against Aberdeen and Dundee United, helped him pin down a place in the side and saw him pick up the medal which gives him a full-set of Scottish titles.

"It was probably an own goal, but I'll claim because it's not often I will even get a shot at goal in a Scottish Cup Final," he said, before paying tribute to the manager who handed him a new contract earlier this season. Now Wilson wants Lennon to be given the security of a long-term deal.

"I know he's under a rolling contract, but it would be good from the players' point of view to have some clarity over his future," he said. "When I was playing and thought I only had six months of my deal to go, it was a worrying time. It's slightly different as a situation for him, but I'm sure it would still be nice for him to know he has a few years at it.

"The manager spoke after the game and said it was a fantastic day because that is why we are at Celtic - to win trophies. But he said we have to come back better next season and that the league is the priority. That is what we'll be trying to do."

Celtic skipper Scott Brown felt Motherwell tried to intimidate their opponents early on at Hampden. Keith Lasley was booked for a challenge in the sixth minute, although Celtic defender Daniel Majstorovic had beaten him into referee Calum Murray's book for a lunge at John Sutton. However, Brown pointed the finger at Motherwell and their manager Stuart McCall.

"I thought Lasley's tackle on Loovens was disgusting," he said. "His tackle was straight over the ball and went for Glenn's knee. If Motherwell want to go above the ball and that is the way their manager wants them to play then so be it. But we came away with victory. That is all that matters."