Dunfermline Athletic reached the Scottish Cup final after a dramatic penalty shootout victory over Falkirk, following a goalless draw in the semi-final, according to multiple reports. The Championship side will face Celtic in the final, after the Premiership club overcame St. Mirren in the other semi-final, scoring four goals in six minutes during extra time, according to multiple reports.
Dunfermline's run to the final has been remarkable, having beaten three Premiership teams — Aberdeen, Hibernian, and Falkirk — en route, according to multiple reports. Celtic's semi-final was equally dramatic, with Benjamin Nygren scoring their sixth goal, as reported by other sources.
I was thinking about my father after the penalty shootout. We lost him in December. He would have loved this, so that was for him.
Dunfermline manager Neil Lennon dedicated the victory to his late father Gerry, who died in December, according to multiple reports. "I was thinking about my father after the penalty shootout. We lost him in December. He would have loved this, so that was for him," Lennon said in a press conference. He added: "He was the biggest influence in my life, both professionally and personally. He'd have loved this. He'd be outside with a cigarette, his fedora and walking stick telling everyone: 'I told you'." Lennon also praised his team's performance: "It's amazing, I thought we were great. It was attritional but we had the better chances. You could tell the pitch and the occasion was getting to both sets of players."
Lennon's relationship with Celtic interim manager Martin O'Neill dates back to Lennon's playing days at Leicester City, according to major media reports. O'Neill, in his second interim spell as Celtic manager, according to major media, acknowledged their bond but insisted there would be no sentiment in the final. "He's been fantastic for me, both at Leicester and at Celtic. His record in management is really terrific. What a job he's doing at Dunfermline to get to the final. But there will be no old pals' act. I'm just pleased that we're in the final with him," O'Neill said. He added: "He's been a big part of my managerial life. He's done great and it's no surprise. I think he's a top-class manager. His record both as a player and manager at Celtic is quite extraordinary. I've got the utmost regard for him. Had I not signed him for Leicester, I might not be sitting here."
He was the biggest influence in my life, both professionally and personally. He'd have loved this. He'd be outside with a cigarette, his fedora and walking stick telling everyone: 'I told you'.
Falkirk boss John McGlynn admitted his team was 'rubbish' in the final third, according to multiple reports. The exact scoreline of the Celtic vs St. Mirren semi-final has not been confirmed, and the date, venue, and referee for the Scottish Cup final remain unknown. It is also unclear whether Neil Lennon's Dunfermline will secure promotion to the Premiership this season.
It's amazing, I thought we were great. It was attritional but we had the better chances. You could tell the pitch and the occasion was getting to both sets of players.
He's been fantastic for me, both at Leicester and at Celtic. His record in management is really terrific. What a job he's doing at Dunfermline to get to the final. But there will be no old pals' act. I'm just pleased that we're in the final with him.
He's been a big part of my managerial life. He's done great and it's no surprise. I think he's a top-class manager. His record both as a player and manager at Celtic is quite extraordinary. I've got the utmost regard for him. Had I not signed him for Leicester, I might not be sitting here.