Coming off the bench, Novo could have inspired a late comeback for Gers, but skied his shot and said afterwards: "I saw Lee McCulloch in there so he put me off a little."

"No excuses," he added honestly.

He reflected quietly, almost to himself, about the dejection he felt when Walter Smith announced the team and he was not in the starting XI.

"Don't get me wrong I feel great, I have confidence," he said of his form going into the game. He did not look or feel great in the bowels of the City of Manchester Stadium.

"I always thought I would have one chance in the game," he said of the moment that glory kissed him goodbye. He insisted, however: "I will have more chances with more time."