Celtic’s manager Martin O’Neill is set to meet his former protégé, Neil Lennon, in the upcoming Scottish Cup final after the Glasgow side dispatched League Cup holders St Mirren 6-2 following extra time in the semi-final showdown. The match began brightly for the Hoops, who surged into a 2-0 advantage thanks to early strikes from Daizen Maeda and Anthony Ralston.
However, St Mirren rallied with determination, and Mikael Mandron emerged as the catalyst for a dramatic comeback. The French striker netted twice in the second half, including a last-gasp equaliser in the 91st minute that forced the contest into extra time. Once the additional period commenced, Celtic reasserted their dominance.
Kelechi Iheanacho produced a brace, while Luke McCowan and Benjamin Nygren added further goals, sending the visitors reeling and ensuring there would be no repeat of the December League Cup final where they had been bested. The final will be staged at Hampden Park on May 23, pitting two Celtic legends against each other.
Lennon's side, Dunfermline Athletic, earned their place after a tense penalty shoot‑out victory over bitter rivals Falkirk in the other semi‑final on Saturday. St Mirren’s night began poorly when backup keeper Ryan Mullen mishandled a ball that Maeda charged down, allowing the Japanese forward to slide the ball into the net within the opening minute. Mullen, who was covering for the injured Shamal George, made a heavy touch that proved costly. Fourteen minutes later, the keeper was forced off with an injury of his own, prompting the 17‑year‑old Grant Tamosevicius to make his senior debut.
Celtic’s own defensive line faced a scare when Viljami Sinisalo almost repeated Mullen’s error. The Finnish centre‑back was dispossessed by Mandron inside his own six‑yard box, but the ensuing close‑range chance was missed by Killian Phillips, sparing Sinisalo from embarrassment. Earlier, Sinisalo had produced a superb save to deny Liam Donnelly’s powerful header from a corner.
Tamosevicius, despite the pressure of the occasion, showed composure. He made a smart save from Maeda and displayed confident footwork before being beaten by Ralston just before halftime. Ralston’s effort struck the post, and the Scottish international followed up with a powerful strike that rattled the bar after a clever back‑heel from Yang. The second half opened with St Mirren back in the game eight minutes after the restart.
Mandron, who had previously scored seven goals on Celtic’s route to League Cup glory earlier in the season, headed home a chipped cross from Declan John, marking his first goal since December. Celtic responded by regaining some control, though clear‑cut chances were limited, as St Mirren launched a flurry of attacks in the final fifteen minutes of regular time. Sinisalo produced a spectacular double save in the 87th minute, yet he could not prevent Mandron’s second goal in stoppage time.
The French forward latched onto a through ball and thundered it into the far corner, sending the tie into extra time. The extra period saw Celtic’s superiority quickly reasserted. Substitute Kelechi Iheanacho headed in James Forrest’s cross six minutes in, and two minutes later Luke McCowan calmly rolled the ball into the net. Iheanacho then struck the top corner in the 100th minute for his second of the night, and Benjamin Nygren capped the scoring spree shortly thereafter.
Having lost the final the previous year, Celtic will now face Dunfermline Athletic in a repeat of the 2007 Scottish Cup final – a match that coincidentally marked Neil Lennon’s last appearance as a Celtic player. Dunfermline’s manager, Neil Lennon, described the prospect of meeting his former boss as "an honour and a privilege". He reflected on his long‑standing relationship with O’Neill, recalling their first meeting in 1996 when O’Neill signed him for Leicester, and noting that their professional and personal bond has endured for three decades. Lennon told Premier Sports, "It is quite a daunting prospect.
It is going to be a privilege for me. It's brilliant to be there in the first place. It is a real honour to be there with Dunfermline but to play Celtic, it is the stuff that you would never envisage and it has become a reality. I played under him for 10 years.
I went to see him in February and said it's 30 years since we first met, in 1996 when he signed me for Leicester. We have a brilliant relationship personally and professionally all the way through, it is going to be an honour for me." O’Neill echoed similar sentiments, praising Lennon’s punditry work and his achievements at both Leicester and Celtic, as well as his recent success with Dunfermline.
"He has done remarkably well. Did brilliantly for me at Leicester and at Celtic and he's done brilliantly at Dunfermown – what an effort yesterday. So I look forward to it," O’Neill said.
The semi‑final victory not only secured Celtic’s place in the final but also highlighted the depth of talent within the squad, with contributions from both established stars and emerging youngsters. As the tournament progresses, fans can anticipate a thrilling climax to a competition that has already delivered drama, resilience, and unforgettable moments.
The Scottish Cup final promises to be a historic encounter, bringing together two of the game’s most respected figures in a battle that will be watched by supporters across the nation. Both sides will be eager to lift the trophy, and the stage is set for a memorable showdown at Hampden Park.