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GARY CALDWELL reckons Rangers will be haunted by their Co-operative Insurance Cup final defeat - because Celtic boss Gordon Strachan 'spooked' them with his team selection.

The result finally laid to rest the ghost of Celtic not having won an Old Firm cup final for 20 years.

Now the defender believes the spirit shown by Strachan's side is what is required to go on and add the SPL title to their League Cup.

And he is confident they can put the frighteners on the opposition during the run in by utilising the options now open to the Hoops boss.

Strachan had the courage to drop both Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink and Georgios Samaras for the final, electing to push midfielder Aiden McGeady up front to partner Scott McDonald. After a terrific 120 minutes, the winger sealed the 2-0 win by winning and converting a penalty in the dying seconds after Rangers defender Kirk Broadfoot had been sent off for bringing him down inside the box.

Caldwell praised Strachan for having the nerve to go with such a dramatic team selection and said: "We've been struggling 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.

"I thought we played well for long spells. Aiden did well in the hole with Scott, and it maybe spooked Rangers 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 stepped up a gear in extra time and could maybe have scored more.

"Overall, we probably just edged it and deserved the win.

"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 since 1989. But the Scotland defender insists they can't rely on this victory providing the platform for them to go on and retain the championship.

They currently lead Rangers by three points. But Caldwell knows they must be ready for a Rangers backlash after denying the Ibrox side the chance of a treble.

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'll now be part of the club's history.

"But we have to be focused. Next week is a massive game against Dundee United.

"We are three points clear and that's what gives us the edge."