Celtic's veteran manager Martin O'Neill will meet his former captain Neil Lennon in the upcoming Scottish Cup final after the Hoops edged past League Cup holders St Mirren 6-2 in a dramatic semi‑final that stretched into extra time. The match, played at Hampden Park, began with Celtic taking an early 2-0 advantage thanks to goals from Daizen Maeda and Anthony Ralston, but St Mirren mounted a spirited fight‑back in the second half.
Mikael Mandron, the French forward, sparked the comeback by netting twice, the second of which came in the 91st minute to force the game into the additional period. Once the extra‑time whistle blew, Celtic re‑asserted their dominance. Kelechi Iheanacho struck twice, while Luke McCowan and Benjamin Nygren added one goal each, turning a closely contested tie into a comprehensive victory and ensuring there would be no repeat of the December League Cup final, where the two sides had met previously.
The final, scheduled for May 23, will be an emotionally charged encounter between two of Celtic's most celebrated figures. Lennon, now managing Dunfermline Athletic, led his side to a shock shoot‑out win over fierce rivals Falkirk in the other semi‑final on Saturday, setting up a classic showdown of former colleagues.
St Mirren's opening moments were disastrous. Backup goalkeeper Ryan Mullen, standing in for the injured Shamal George, mishandled a ball that Daizen Maeda charged down inside the first minute, allowing the Japanese international to slide the ball into the net.
Fourteen minutes later Mullen suffered an injury of his own, prompting the 17‑year‑old Grant Tamosevicius to make his senior debut. Despite the pressure, the youngster showed composure, making a crucial save from Maeda and displaying confident footwork before being out‑muscled by Ralston just before the break. Celtic also flirted with danger early on.
Viljami Sinisalo, the Finnish centre‑back, almost repeated Mullen's error when Mikael Mandron stole the ball in his own six‑yard box. Fortunately for Celtic, Killian Phillips failed to capitalize on the ensuing close‑range chance, sparing Sinisalo a costly mistake.
Earlier, Sinisalo had produced a superb save to deny Liam Donnelly's powerful header from a corner, highlighting his importance at the back. The second half saw St Mirren revive their hopes.
Eight minutes after the restart, Mandron headed home a delicately chipped cross from Declan John, marking his first goal since December and reigniting the contest. Celtic responded by tightening their shape, but they struggled to create clear‑cut opportunities as St Mirren pressed forward with urgency in the final fifteen minutes. Sinisalo showcased his reflexes with a double save in the 87th minute, yet Mandron's second goal arrived in stoppage‑time.
The Frenchman latched onto a through ball and hammered it into the far corner, sending the tie to extra‑time. The extra‑time period was a showcase of Celtic's attacking depth.
Within six minutes, substitute Kelechi Iheanacho headed home James Forrest's cross, restoring Celtic's lead. Two minutes later, Luke McCowan calmly rolled the ball into the net, extending the advantage. Iheanacho then struck again in the 100th minute, blasting the ball into the top corner for his second of the night.
Benjamin Nygren capped the scoring spree shortly thereafter, sealing a 6-2 win. This victory sets up a repeat of the 2007 Scottish Cup final, a match that holds special significance for Neil Lennon as it was his last appearance as a Celtic player.
Speaking ahead of the final, Lennon described the prospect of facing his former manager as "an honour and a privilege." He recalled their long‑standing relationship, noting, "I played under Martin for ten years, first at Leicester and then at Celtic. To meet him again in a cup final is something I never imagined would happen." O'Neill echoed the sentiment, praising Lennon's achievements at both Leicester and Celtic, as well as his recent success with Dunfermline.
"He's done remarkably well everywhere he's been," O'Neill said. "I'm looking forward to the challenge and the chance to see him back on the pitch in a Scottish Cup final." Beyond the on‑field drama, the match promises a narrative rich in history and personal connections, pitting a seasoned manager against his former protégé in a showdown that could define both of their legacies.
Fans can anticipate a tightly contested final, with both clubs eager to add another trophy to their cabinets. The Scottish Cup final will be broadcast nationally, and supporters are encouraged to tune in for what promises to be a memorable climax to the season.
The competition has already delivered thrilling moments, and the forthcoming encounter between Celtic and Dunfermall Athletic is set to cap off an unforgettable campaign.