Skipper McManus was the villain at New St Mirren Park in the quarter-final tie when he hauled down Buddies striker Craig Dargo inside the Celtic penalty box 10 minutes after the break.

Billy Mehmet stepped up to send Celtic keeper Artur Boruc the wrong way an immaculate spot-kick and the home side booked their place in their first semi-final since they won the competition in 1987.

The fact Celtic trounced Gus MacPherson's side 7-0 in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League last week added to the visitors' disappointment and the pressure on Gordon Strachan and his side will intensify ahead of next Sunday's Hampden final.

McManus, struggling to come to terms with his part in Celtic's first Scottish Cup defeat by St Mirren in 47 years, said: "I was devastated that I gave away the penalty.

"I have no complaints about the penalty but that's as big a blow as I've had in my career so far.

"We didn't pass the ball well and we didn't make chances, so it was our own fault.

"Now we have no option but to pick ourselves up.

"We will work as hard as we possibly can all week and get ready for the final.

"We will still be hurting from this but we will all rally together."