Celtic’s boss Martin O’Neill will meet his former captain Neil Lennon in the upcoming Scottish Cup final after the Glasgow side edged past League Cup champions St Mirren 6‑2 following extra‑time in the semi‑final clash. The match began brightly for the Buddies, who surged into a 2‑0 advantage thanks to early strikes from Daizen Maeda and Anthony Ralston. However, Celtic’s Mikael Mandron sparked a dramatic revival in the second half, netting twice – including a clutch equaliser in the 91st minute – to force the game into the extra‑time period. Once the additional thirty minutes commenced, the record‑holding Hoops asserted their dominance.
Kelechi Iheanacho delivered a brace, while Luke McCowan and Benjamin Nygren each added a goal, turning a tightly contested encounter into a comprehensive victory. The result ensured there would be no repeat of the December League Cup final, where the two sides had previously met. Hampden Park is set to host the emotional showdown on 23 May, pitting two Celtic legends against each other.
Lennon’s Dunfermline Athletic earned their place by upsetting bitter rivals Falkirk in a penalty‑shootout in the other semi‑final on Saturday, echoing the drama of previous cup ties. St Mirren’s night started poorly when backup keeper Ryan Mullen was caught out by Maeda within the opening minute. The Japanese forward capitalised on a heavy touch from the ex‑Celtic academy graduate, sliding the ball into the net to give the visitors an early lead. Mullen’s misfortune deepened fourteen minutes later when he limped off with an injury, prompting 17‑year‑old Grant Tamosevicius to make his senior debut.
On the opposite side, Celtic’s Viljami Sinisalo nearly mirrored that error when Mikael Mandron dispossessed him inside the six‑yard box. The Finnish defender escaped blame only because Killian Phillips failed to finish the ensuing close‑range chance. Earlier, Sinisalo had produced a fine save to deny Liam Donnelly’s powerful header from a corner, showing his shot‑stopping credentials. Tamosevicius appeared unfazed by the pressure of a semi‑final debut.
He made a sharp save from Maeda and displayed confident footwork before eventually being out‑muscled by Ralston at the stroke of halftime. Ralston then struck the post with a thunderous effort after a clever back‑heel from Yang, adding to the tension.
The second half resumed with St Mirren quickly back in contention. Eight minutes after the restart, Mandron – who had previously scored seven goals in Celtic’s League Cup run – 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 scarce, while St Mirren continued to press, launching a flurry of attacks in the final fifteen minutes of regular time. In the 87th minute, Sinisalo produced an impressive double save, yet he could not prevent Mandron’s second goal in stoppage time.
The French striker latched onto a through ball and unleashed a powerful finish into the far corner, sending the tie into extra‑time. The extra‑time period proved decisive. Six minutes in, substitute Kelechi Iheanacho headed home from a James Forrest cross, giving Celtic the lead. Two minutes later, Luke McCowan calmly rolled the ball into the net, extending the advantage.
Iheanacho then struck again in the 100th minute, finding the top corner for his second of the night. Finally, Benjamin Nygren capped the scoring spree shortly thereafter, sealing a 6‑2 triumph. Celtic’s victory sets up a repeat of the 2007 Scottish Cup final, which coincidentally was Neil Lennon’s last match as a Celtic player.
Dunfermline’s manager, Neil Lennon, expressed that facing his former mentor Martin O’Neill would be “an honour and a privilege.” He reflected on their long‑standing relationship, noting, “I played under him for ten years, first at Leicester and then at Celtic. It’s amazing to be back in this arena together.” O’Neill echoed the sentiment, praising Lennon’s punditry work and his achievements at both Leicester and Celtic, as well as his recent success with Dunfermline. He said, “He’s done brilliantly for me at Leicester and at Celtic and he’s done brilliantly at Dunfermline – what an effort yesterday. I look forward to it.” The upcoming final promises a narrative rich in history and personal connections, as two former teammates now stand on opposite sides of the most prestigious domestic trophy in Scottish football.
Fans can anticipate a fiercely contested match, with both managers eager to add another chapter to their intertwined legacies. For those following the Scottish Premiership, the league table and highlights remain available online, along with live streaming options that require no contract. The competition continues to deliver excitement, drama, and moments that will be remembered for years to come.