A Celtic win sets up a Martin O’Neill versus Neil Lennon showpiece

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The Celtic Star

·19 April 2026

A Celtic win sets up a Martin O’Neill versus Neil Lennon showpiece

Let’s do this today Celtic, and set up a memorable Martin O’Neill versus Neil Lennon Hampden showdown in the Scottish Cup final…

Later this afternoon Celtic will take on St Mirren at the national stadium, as we look to book a Scottish Cup Final date for the fourth year in succession, with Neil Lennon’s Dunfermline providing the opposition if we can overcome a just as motivated opponent.

It will be tough, as we know all too well having lost to the Buddies in the Premier Sports Cup final back in December, and despite winning all three league clashes against the Paisley side this campaign, they’ve all been by the slenderest of margins, the latest coming just last weekend.

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Celtic celebrate scoring the opening goal of the game through Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain during the Scottish Premiership between Celtic and St. Mirren at Celtic Park on April 11, 2026. (Photo by WM Sport Media/Getty Images)

There’s no reason why we can’t be successful in our aim of reaching the final, despite our substandard displays of late. We still have a team of talented and experienced players that can produce the goods on the big stage, something that gives us hope in our aim to overcome the Paisley side and keep us on track for finishing a substandard campaign without empty hands.

It won’t be easy though, as previous clashes with the Saints have shown, but it’s not beyond us, and if we play to the best of our ability we will overcome the challenge and book our place in next month’s showpiece.

Martin O’Neill waves the fans after Celtic’s 2-1 win at Dens Park. Dundee v Celtic. Sunday 5 April 2026. Photograph by Vagelis Georgariou

It was also set up an iconic showdown between two Celtic legends in Martin O’Neill and Neil Lennon. Teacher and pupil going to battle in a Scottish Cup Final is box office, one that will naturally attract plenty of attention.

Lenny’s championship side of course overcame Premiership top six side Falkirk on spot kicks in yesterday’s semi final, to book their place in the final, and if it’s to be his old mentor who stands in his way and making history with the Pars, then it’s going to be an absolute blockbuster of a conclusion to the Scottish season.

We can only hope this conclusion sees the trophy decked in green and white ribbons. A league and cup double would be ‘The Sweetest Thing’ and that’s what we’ll almost certainly end up with if we can produce seven wins on the bounce starting today.

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