Celtic captain Callum McGregor has paid a fulsome tribute to ‘giant’ Joe Hart on his retirement from professional football, saying that his legacy will live on at the club for years to come.

Hart brought the curtain down on his career as he helped Celtic to the 1-0 win over Rangers on Saturday that secured the Scottish Cup and a double for Brendan Rodgers’ men, a fitting way for the 37-year-old to bow out of the game.

McGregor will miss the support Hart gave him in a leadership role within the Celtic dressing room next term, but he is certain that the impact and influence he had on his teammates – particularly the younger ones – will continue to benefit Celtic for a long time to come. “When you play with top, experienced players you have to learn from him,” McGregor said.

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“That is why they are there, they are there so you can ask questions and watch what they do and how they prepare themselves. He is 37, he has seen a lot in football, he has been at the top level, he has gone through difficult moments in his career as well. He is somebody that the players should look at and really learn from because once you come across these top players you have got to get every bit of information out of them that you can.

“You couldn’t write a better script - finishing with a double, beating Rangers at Hampden with a last-minute goal and a clean sheet for him. It is a brilliant way to finish. He can go an enjoy his retirement. I am sure you will see him popping up somewhere. He deserves every plaudit and every bit of credit that he is going to get because he has been a giant since he walked through the door, someone who is hugely experienced and respected at the club and in football.

“He has been a huge part of why we have been successful over the last three years.”