GUTTED Wasps keeper Neil Parry admits Celtic’s two late strikes in the 2-0 Betfred Cup loss was a tough one for them to take.

Alloa Athletic rode their luck during the quarter final clash at Parkhead, though they could be forgiven for letting their minds wander toward the prospect of extra time as the game reached 80 minutes.

But the big keeper, who produced a man of the match display, insists they will likely look back with pride was their disappointment fades.

Parry told Advertiser Sport: “We all really enjoyed playing at Parkhead and the occasion itself, but when it starts to hit the 80th minute you can’t help, but think of making it to extra time and beyond, so to get so close and then lose it late on was pretty gutting for us.

"The belief started to grow for us from the first ten minutes when we started to repel them, but a team like Celtic have outstanding quality and in the end it has taken two really good goals to beat us.

"It is a sore one at the moment, but maybe in a few weeks when we reflect back on it then we can be proud of our efforts.”

“These type of games seem to produce the best in me, but I also seem to get late goals against me in them too.

"I came from junior football and worked my way up to this level, so I just try to enjoy these games when they come along because you are a long time retired.

"If you can't enjoy playing in front of the TV cameras and a crowd like that then you shouldn’t be playing football.

"It was great to get the man of the match award, but it was a real team performance.

"Some of the blocks the lads produced in front of me and the work rate of the lads further up the pitch was immense so there is loads to be proud of.”

Parry was quick to heap praise on manager Jack Ross who he believes has created a winning formula at the Indodrill Stadium this season.

He said: “The gaffer has been outstanding for us. All of the boys are desperate to play for him and do well.

"I think that shows that we are willing to run that extra mile for him and he is such a great man-manager. He has brought a really good group to the club and we have bonded really well.”

A return to the bread and butter of League 1 looms now for Alloa as they prepare for a trip to face Brown Ferguson’s Stenhousemuir, and the Wasps number one says they will be ready for the challenge.

Parry added: “We will enjoy the fall out of this game and then dust ourselves down and be ready for Stenhousemuir on Saturday.

"That game will be a bit of a culture shock for us coming off the back of this, but our goal is to get promotion so there is no point in us going there feeling sorry for ourselves.

"That game is just as important so we will have to start preparing for that one as soon as the dust has settled.”