Source: Team_Talk
Caldwell hails Strachan selection
The Parkhead boss dropped both off-form strikers Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink and Georgios Samaras and had midfielder Aiden McGeady supporting Scott McDonald.
Celtic edged the first goalless 90 minutes but at the start of extra time stand-in left-back Darren O'Dea's first goal for over two years broke the deadlock.
McGeady sealed the win in the final seconds from the spot after Rangers defender Kirk Broadfoot had been sent off for bringing him down inside the box.
Caldwell praised Strachan for having the nerve to make such a radical change in a cup final.
"We have been struggling of late to create chances and score goals and to be fair to the manager, he decided to shake things up a bit in a cup final and it worked," he said.
"I thought we played well for long spells - Aiden did well in the hole with Scott and it maybe spooked them a bit in the first half because we were well on top.
"We struggled a bit in the second half but came strong again.
"We have a big squad, we must use it and I think we will from now until the end of the season."
It was Celtic's first cup final win over Rangers in 20 years but the Scotland defender insists that alone does not give them the edge in the SPL title race in which the champions lead the Light Blues by three
points.
He said: "It's great to win against Rangers, it's great for the fans.
"I was only six when Celtic last beat Rangers in a cup final but we got the win this time and I suppose we will be part of the club's history.
"We stepped up a gear in extra time and we could maybe have scored more.
"We probably just edged it and we deserved the win.
"But we have to be focused. Next week is a massive game against Dundee United.
"We are three points clear at the top and that's what gives us the edge.
"If we can win every game until the end of the season we will win the league. That is going to be our aim and we have to focus on that to try to get four in a row."
Vennegoor of Hesselink put aside his frustrations to enjoy the after-match celebrations.
The Dutchman, who has only scored in one game this season, was restricted to only a few seconds of playing time at the end when he came on for Samaras, who limped off injured after he had replaced Paul Hartley.
He said: "I feel very good. We won the cup and that is the most important thing.
"Of course I would be lying if I said I was happy. But you have to put your personal things aside and we won, so that's the main thing."
