"I don't think it was my best game for Celtic." said Hinkel in reply to the praise he received for his performance last week. "Offensively, I didn't get the chance to do much. Defensively, it was good but I think I have played better games going forward. For me, that doesn't matter. The whole team played well and we fought for each other. We won the cup together as a team. It wasn't down to one or two players."
The League Cup triumph must now be put to one side, of course, as the title race rightfully resumes it's position as the top priority for the team and Andreas has been at the club long enough now to realise that games against the so-called 'smaller clubs' in the SPL are not a foregone conclusion. Celtic have found Dundee United a tough proposition so far this season with both previous SPL games ending in draws and the League Cup semi-final only produced a victory after a marathon penalty shoot-out saw the Bhoys emerge 12-11 winners. 
"I've developed a winning mentality"
"People always talk about Celtic and Rangers but the other teams make it difficult for us as well," said Hinkel. "Dundee United are a very good side. They have done very well against Celtic and Rangers this season. They make it difficult for you."
"Last year Motherwell were up challenging in the title." said the Celtic right-back, proving that he hasn't mastered the English language entirely. "They were the rising side, but there are a few good teams. Hearts are strong, as are Hibernian. They won the Edinburgh derby last weekend and are very strong offensively. They beat us at home as well. Against every opponent, we have to be focused at all times. From now on, every game is important. If we look at every game individually and play every game individually, that's the best thing to do."
Andreas has adapted well to the pressure of playing for one of Europe's biggest clubs, playing for fans who demand victory whenever and wherever the team play. He admits that he'd never known anything quite like that pressure before but he has developed a winning mentality now. "It's good to play in a team where the expectations are high." he said. "We have to win every game. It doesn't matter if we are away or at home. And it's the same with Barcelona, Real Madrid or Bayern Munich. The pressure was new to me when I came here. It's because of the history here."
"With Sevilla, we had a strong team but we didn't have the same history." said the Celtic number two. "We were often favourites in Spain because we had a very good team and we played good football but we didn't have the same expectations as Celtic. Stuttgart was a big team, but not the same as here. You have to be able to handle that pressure. There is even more pressure playing with Germany. There is a special pressure and a special atmosphere with Germany."
"You just need to look at the incredible media interest in the national team." he added. "It's the same as the England team, there is so much attention around the games. Celtic prepares you well for that pressure. I've learned to deal with pressure in every game and I've learned to have that winning mentality."