Hartson - defeat will make us stronger

Celtic striker John Hartson insists that Saturday’s Tennent’s Scottish Cup heartbreak will make his team-mates all the more hungry for future success.

Many predict that the balance in power will swing back to Ibrox after Peter Lovenkrands’ last-gasp winner at Hampden Park destroyed Celtic’s Double dream.

Hartson scored his first Old Firm goal, but the way in which the drama unfolded left him particularly upset having lost out on the European Cup Winners’ Cup to Zaragoza with Arsenal in similar circumstances.

But the club are still heading for the Champions League having retained the title and he is backing his team-mates to be fired up for their next campaign.

‘‘I was obviously delighted at the time to get the goal, but I’d gladly have swapped it for a win,’’ sighed Hartson.

‘‘That’s two cup finals I’ve played in and scored in each of them, only to lose the game in the very last minute.

'‘When I was with Arsenal we lost the Cup Winners’ Cup against Zaragoza in 1995 when they scored a last minute goal, and for it to happen again at the weekend was so disappointing.

‘‘I also feel so disappointed for the fans because we would have loved to have done the Double.

‘‘Obviously all the boys are a bit down, which is understandable because we had one hand on the Cup twice only to let it slip.

‘‘We’re pleased that we won the league which was the aim all season, but when you get to the final of a competition then it goes without saying that you want to go out and win it.

‘‘Everyone is disappointed now, but we’ll get over it and come back determined to do well again next season.’’

The 27-year-old still has two games to play this season with Celtic travelling to Aberdeen on Sunday and Wales taking on Germany.

But he is looking forward to putting his feet up after a long hard season before coming back ready for the start of a new challenge.

‘‘I have a game for Wales against Germany in Cardiff next week so I have to keep myself going and it’s important that we all keep our heads up anyway,’’ added Hartson.

‘‘It will be nice to come back refreshed after the break and then start again.

‘‘It’ll be an interesting season next year and I’m sure Rangers will be strong.’’