Celtic will face off against their former captain Neil Lennon's Dunfermline Athletic in the Scottish Cup final after overcoming St Mirren 6-2 in a thrilling semi-final match that went into extra time. The Hoops initially took a 2-0 lead through goals from Daizen Maeda and Anthony Ralston, but St Mirren staged a dramatic comeback with Mikael Mandron scoring twice, including a stunning equalizer in the 91st minute to force the game into extra time. However, Celtic regained their composure and dominated the extra period, with Kelechi Iheanacho scoring a brace and Luke McCowan and Benjamin Nygren adding to the tally, ensuring a decisive victory.
The win sets up an emotional final between two Celtic legends, Martin O'Neill and Neil Lennon, at Hampden Park on May 23. The match got off to a chaotic start when St Mirren's backup goalkeeper Ryan Mullen gifted Celtic the opening goal inside the first minute, and his subsequent injury led to 17-year-old Grant Tamosevicius making his senior debut. At the other end, Celtic's Viljami Sinisalo was nearly caught out by Mandron, but managed to avoid a similar mistake.
Tamosevicius had some impressive moments despite the occasion, including a smart save from Maeda, before Ralston scored Celtic's second just before half-time. St Mirren reduced the deficit through Mandron's header early in the second half, but Celtic temporarily regained control without creating clear chances. As the match wore on, St Mirren launched a series of attacks, and Mandron's second goal in stoppage time sent the tie to extra time. However, Celtic took charge in the extra period, with Iheanacho heading in the first goal, followed by Luke McCowan's calm finish, Iheanacho's second, and Nygren's late strike.
The Scottish Cup final will be a repeat of the 2007 final, which was Lennon's last match as a Celtic player. Lennon expressed his honor and privilege at facing his former manager O'Neill, with whom he shares a long and brilliant relationship. O'Neill praised Lennon's remarkable achievements, including his time at Leicester and Celtic, and looked forward to their reunion in the final.