Neil Lennon has admitted the prospect of facing Martin O’Neill in a Scottish Cup final would carry real meaning, as Dunfermline wait to find out who they will meet at Hampden next month.
Dunfermline booked their place after edging past Falkirk in a tight semi-final that went all the way to penalties. It was a game short on clear chances, with both sides cancelling each other out for long spells before it was settled from the spot.
That type of match fits Lennon’s team. They stay compact, keep their shape, and don’t get drawn into open games. It’s how they’ve managed this run and it’s worked so far.
Attention now turns to Celtic against St Mirren. Lennon knows that tie won’t be simple, especially with St Mirren already beating Celtic at Hampden earlier in the campaign.
He said: (The Scotsman), “Emotional if it happens, and that’s not take anything away from St Mirren who have already won one cup.
“You wouldn’t write them off, but it could possibly be Martin’s last game as a manager.
“And for me and him to go… I’ve never done it before, but I mean it’d be a hell of a story.
“He wouldn’t want to talk about it until afterwards, him being him.
“He’s got a lot of work to do still with the league and obviously tomorrow as well.“
His point on St Mirren reflects where things stand. Celtic still have to come through a side that sits in well and waits for chances to break. That has caused problems in earlier meetings this season.
If Celtic do get through, the final would likely be another tight game. Dunfermline won’t open up, and Lennon’s approach suggests a match where patience and small moments decide it.
For O’Neill, it would mean going up against someone he knows well. There’s a shared history there, but once the game starts it comes down to how each team handles it.
For now, Lennon’s job is done. Dunfermline are in the final, and the other half of the tie will be settled at Hampden.
