In a dramatic semi-final clash at Hampden Park, Celtic secured their place in the Scottish Cup final after a hard‑fought 6-2 victory over League Cup holders St Mirren, the match extending into extra time. The encounter pitted Celtic manager Martin O'Neill against his former captain Neil Lennon, who will be on the opposite side of the final after his side, Dunfermany Athletic, earned their own spot by defeating Falkirk in a penalty shoot‑out. The game began with Celtic taking an early advantage.
Within the first minute, Daizen Maeda capitalised on a defensive mishap when backup St Mirren keeper Ryan Mullen was charged down, allowing the Japanese forward to slide the ball into the net. Anthony Ralston added a second goal shortly after, giving the Hoops a 2-0 lead and seemingly setting the tone for a comfortable win. However, St Mirren responded with resilience. Their striker Mikael Mandron, who had previously been instrumental in the club's League Cup triumph, sparked a comeback by scoring a header from a Declan John cross just after the restart.
The goal marked his first for the club since December and injected belief into the visiting side. Mandron's influence grew as he struck again in stoppage time, finding the back of the net from a well‑timed through ball and forcing the match into extra time with a dramatic 91st‑minute equaliser. The extra‑time period belonged to Celtic.
Kelechi Iheanacho opened the scoring for the champions, heading in from a James Forrest cross six minutes into the additional period. Two minutes later, Luke McCowan calmly rolled the ball into the net, extending the lead. Iheanacho then doubled his tally by slotting the ball into the top corner in the 100th minute, and Benjamin Nygren added a final goal shortly thereafter, sealing a comprehensive 6-2 win.
Key moments throughout the 120 minutes highlighted both teams' character. St Mirren's backup goalkeeper Grant Tamosevicius, thrust into action after Mullen's injury, made a commendable debut, making a smart save from Maeda and handling several shots before being beaten by Ralston just before halftime. Celtic's Viljami Sinisalo also faced pressure, nearly repeating Mullen's early error when Mikael Mandron dispossessed him inside his own six‑yard box, but a missed finish by Killian Phillips prevented a disaster.
Sinisalo later produced an excellent double save in the 87th minute, though he could not prevent Mandron's late equaliser. Beyond the on‑field drama, the semi‑final set the stage for a nostalgic final. Neil Lennon's Dunfermany Athletic will meet Celtic on May 23, recreating the 2007 Scottish Cup final, which was Lennon's last appearance as a Celtic player. Lennon, who spent a decade under O'Neill at both Leicester City and Celtic, described the upcoming showdown as "an honour and a privilege," noting the personal and professional bond he shares with his former manager.
O'Neill echoed the sentiment, praising Lennon's punditry work and his success with Dunfermany, and expressed enthusiasm for the encounter. The victory also marks a reversal of fortunes from December's League Cup final, where St Mirren had triumphed over Celtic. This time, the record champions displayed their depth and experience, overturning a precarious situation to dominate the extra‑time period. Their performance underscored the tactical acumen of O'Neill, who managed to keep his side composed after conceding a late equaliser and then orchestrated a swift and decisive response.
Looking ahead, Celtic will aim to cap off a season of silverware with the Scottish Cup, while Dunfermany, having shocked Falkirk with a penalty shoot‑out win, will seek to emulate their historic 2007 triumph. Both managers have highlighted the emotional weight of the fixture, emphasizing respect for each other's achievements and the significance of the rivalry.
Fans can anticipate a high‑stakes encounter that blends nostalgia with contemporary competition, as two of Scottish football's most storied figures face off once more on one of the country's biggest stages. The final promises to be a fitting climax to a season that has already delivered plenty of excitement, drama, and unforgettable moments for supporters across the nation.