GAEL BIGIRIMANA believes Motherwell can benefit from their Hampden heartaches this term.

Stephen Robinson's side suffered their second final defeat to Celtic on Saturday as they missed out on a Scottish Cup winner's medal.

It was a disappointing end to an encouraging campaign for the Steelmen and midfielder Bigirimana reckons they can look to the future with confidence.

He said: “After the season we’ve had we hoped to finish with a cup but it obviously wasn’t meant to be but we’ve had a great campaign and we’ll benefit from it as a team and a club. It might not feel like it after a defeat but sometimes you get better and stronger when you’ve been knocked down and you have to get up again.

“For the majority of the players it’s been a first season in Scotland. It’s a team just put together for the first year together with new players and staff we can take so much confidence.

“For me, it’s been a different type of growth. I’ve had to play as a substitute for most of the season but it’s all about the team."

Goals from Callum McGregor and Olivier Ntcham were all that Celtic needed on Saturday.

Bigirimana hit the bar with a free-kick late on after Dedryck Boyata was only booked for bringing down Chris Cadden on the edge of the area as he burst through on goal.

That was as close as Motherwell would come, though.

Bigirimana said: “I could see what Craig Gordon was trying to do and push his defensive wall to one side to see more of the ball so I tried to aim for the target but it hit the post.

“Once I hit it I saw it heading for the top corner but in the blink of an eye it hit the post. Those sort of things will be in your head but it’s gone, you can’t change the past, so you have to renew your mind.

“It’s not for me to say if it should have been a red card but on days like Saturday you need those sort of moments go for you and make the game more intense for both teams and fans and have a grandstand finish."