- 20 hours ago
Dougie Donnelly presents highlights from the Scottish Cup final as Celtic take on Dunfermline at Hampden Park.
Pars manager Neil Lennon, formerly both manager and player at Celtic, will be looking to bring the cup back to Dunfermline for the first time since 1968.
Martin O’Neill’s Celtic, however, have won the trophy twice in the last three years and will look to make up for last year’s final defeat to Aberdeen.
We bring you the best of the action, plus post-match analysis, interviews and reaction from a huge Saturday in the Scottish football calendar
Pars manager Neil Lennon, formerly both manager and player at Celtic, will be looking to bring the cup back to Dunfermline for the first time since 1968.
Martin O’Neill’s Celtic, however, have won the trophy twice in the last three years and will look to make up for last year’s final defeat to Aberdeen.
We bring you the best of the action, plus post-match analysis, interviews and reaction from a huge Saturday in the Scottish football calendar
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TVTranscript
00:11For some, success is plain and simple, demanded, expected, essential, for others, it's not
00:27as black and white, history has to be chased, rewritten, reclaimed, some successes set
00:39a standard, a benchmark, two clubs so different but yet intertwined, they've shared this stage
00:50before, from last gasp winners to fond farewells, now they both return again, Mentor versus
00:59Protégé, East versus West, who will bring home success?
01:08It's an intriguing matchup isn't it? Hello and welcome to Hampden in the Sun, for the
01:15match which is always the climax and hopefully one of the highlights of the Scottish season,
01:21the Scottish Cup final, Celtic against Unferm and Athletic, let's join our commentary team,
01:27James McFadden and Liam McClain.
01:32As two storied Celtic icons go head to head at Hampden, the revered Martin O'Neill, a three-time
01:40Scottish Cup winner during his glittering five-year spell at the turn of the century,
01:45as he goes up against his former trusted Lieutenant Neil Lennon, an eight-time winner during his
01:50spells as player, captain and manager of Celtic, as he dares, second-tiered Unferm and Athletic
01:57to dream.
02:02Can Lennon and his powers overcome massive odds and emulate Alan Stubbs-Hibbs, the East
02:09Fife team of 1938 and that of Queen's Park in 1893, clad the trophy in black and white and
02:17take it back to the kingdom for the first time since they won it themselves in 1968, or will
02:23it be a record-extending 43rd time for Celtic, who have won it in eight of the last 15 seasons,
02:29though they were beaten on penalties by Aberdeen a year ago.
02:38James Forrest has won this competition seven times before and can go level with Bobby Lennox
02:43and winners' medals in this tournament today.
02:46Celtic's most decorated player comes in for just a ninth start of the season.
02:50Johnston, he's in for Sebastian Tenecti from the side that started the dramatic win over
02:54Hearts last week.
02:56Johnston and McGregor will be keen to atone for their failed spot kicks in last year's
03:00shootout defeat.
03:01McGregor looking for a seventh-winner's medal himself.
03:04Maida had gone 17 games without a goal before he opened the scoring in the semis against St.
03:10Mirren.
03:10He now has eight in his last six.
03:15Nine of the pars starters began the semifinal, but young John Todd comes into the team and
03:20the man who's penalty took them here in the shootout.
03:23Tasha and Ackley both also starts at the expense of Amade and Kane who have to make do with
03:28the bench.
03:30The Todd brothers' dad, Andy, came on as a sub against Celtic and they're defeating the
03:332004 final as Henrik Larsson's last Celtic goal sealed the trophy.
03:38Aston-Oxtra is back in goal.
03:43On the 26th of April 1961, a certain Jockstein led Dunfermline to one of their greatest days
03:49against the club.
03:50He would lead to the greatest prize of them all just six years later.
03:55Dave Thompson and Charlie Dixon writing their names into the pars history books with the
03:59goals in a 2-0 replayed final victory against a Celtic side that featured future Lisbon Lions,
04:05McNeil, Clark, Hughes, and Chalmers.
04:08This fixture is a rich history in this competition.
04:15Celtic 62nd cup final in this tournament, conferment 6th and 1st since 2007.
04:22They've lost three of them, including that year, and they've all been to today's opponents,
04:26having last won it against Hearts in 68.
04:291-8.
04:34Mayda, Yang from Ygrin.
04:48Yang again.
04:54This is where Dunferman will have to be so rigid, but Engels found a little pocket of space there,
05:00and it's your little Ka-Mullen forced to put it behind for the first corner of the final.
05:05Yeah, you're spot on I think when Celtic get into those areas, they have runners, they've got players
05:09that can see the pass and play the pass, and that's where Dunferman have to be switched on,
05:14big test for every single Dunferman player, but in particularly that back three,
05:19because he will be dragged all over the place.
05:21Arne Engels to take, return from injury at just the right time for Celtic,
05:26at the end of the season, Noxpera punches it away, Forrest on his left foot in the corner pretty well
05:36considering.
05:38Yeah, he does well, he wants the space, says Forrest, straight at Aston Noxpera.
05:54He grinned as well, here's McGregor, and Maida's on his bike ahead of him,
05:58and he's got goal side, was that a foul? Stephen McLean doesn't think so right now.
06:03Yeah, that's a big call, great movement from Maida,
06:10Gavin McGregor getting free, Tasha and Oclebooth, lovely weighted pass,
06:16just gets the wrong side of John Todd.
06:24There's no suggestion that this is going to be a stoppage, in fact there is now,
06:32but they're happy with the decision here, it's a good run by Isaac Maida,
06:37and that is what John Todd will be so keen to avoid this afternoon.
06:41Yeah, I mean, he does go to put his arm across him, I think that's the right call.
06:50Celtic looking for the early goal.
06:57Negren.
07:01Full flag against Yang, not quite work it to Dyson Maida,
07:06but he's certainly flourished under Martin O'Neill as Yang, he's at times,
07:10he's looked a bit out of place at Celtic, but under O'Neill,
07:14initially in that interim spell in the autumn, and then laterally this season,
07:19he's proved to be a very important player for the Celtic side.
07:22Yeah, he has, and I think that...
07:26Well, that's a bit dodgy, isn't it?
07:28And Sydney Salo gets away with it, Morrison was claiming it was over the line.
07:36Well, once or twice, Viliamy Sydney Salo was almost caught out against Hearts last week.
07:42Similar situations, and that is fortunate that Celtic have been able to scramble that off the line.
07:48Yeah, I mean, it's really poor defending initially,
07:51and a real mix-up, but what you have to say is,
07:54it's outstanding from Liam Scales to recognise the danger,
07:58to get there and stop the ball from just creeping over the line.
08:03Johnston, Sydney Salo, making a bit of a mess, and look at this risk.
08:13Morrison gets even just a tiny bit more on that.
08:17I have to say, initially I did think it was more Sydney Salo,
08:21but I think Alistair Johnston has to deal with that much better.
08:23He lets it bounce, the ball doesn't skid through as much as he's maybe hoping for.
08:40From Johnston to be misjudged, and Maida's in.
08:43That's clever, and that is 1-0 Celtic!
08:54And if this is to be Dyson Maida's last game in a Celtic shark,
09:00another piece of silver where it would be the perfect parting gift!
09:041-0 Celtic!
09:07I mean, we give him praise, Dyson Maida, for how hard he works, the speed.
09:14He doesn't often get the praise for the composure that he's been shown in front of goal of late.
09:19The pass, too much time from a defending point of view.
09:23High line, John Todd just gets caught under it.
09:26Perfectly weighted pass, but what an exquisite finish from Dyson Maida.
09:30No panic, just pure composure. Lovely pass from Alistair Johnston.
09:35You know you can overhit it because Maida will catch it.
09:39And that finish there, sublime from Dyson Maida.
09:4717 games without a goal for Maida, but he has exploded into life at just the right time.
09:59Some of the goals he's got, you even think of the Falkirk one, he goes and puts pressure,
10:03they win it back. It's just such a composed finish. From distance, no panic, good technique,
10:10and that's something he's shown.
10:12He's flipped that by Engels, gets it back from Maida.
10:16Johnston on the stretch, but it's with Forrest, it's Johnston.
10:21Gley Booth deals with it, as does Fraser, but this is looking ominous right now for the
10:28Firmin Athletic, you would have to say.
10:30Yeah, I mean, you know, the aim is clearly not to concede at any point,
10:35but certainly early in the game. And it's important for Firmin, from their point of view,
10:41that they don't go and get too excited and force it and try and rush it, or feel sorry for
10:46themselves,
10:47because if they do and let Celtic get into their rhythm, then it could be a long afternoon for them.
10:54I'm sure he would have told them that before the game, that there is a high possibility
10:59Celtic are going to take the lead, you have to maintain your composure, don't be too down by it.
11:26The team that scores the first goal has only lost the Scottish Cup Final four times out of the last
11:3137.
11:32Last season, of course, the most recent example, Yang's in here.
11:39And Augsburg are delighted that he's put out the wrong side of the post.
11:44I think the offside flag was up as well, it's a great play from Engels,
11:48just backing in, waiting for the run from Yang.
11:51Yeah.
11:52I mean, it is quite tight, I have to say, but that's the wrong option and the wrong execution from
12:00Yang.
12:10And they've got to try and stay within touching distance, but it could be more difficult here,
12:14but Augsburg, in an orthodox clearance, is two in behind momentarily.
12:22A mother of two stabs at that, now Charlie Gilmer's got a little bit of space to work in,
12:27and that's been at a premium.
12:40Probably wouldn't do them any harm just to get some passes together, knock it about.
12:45Even if they're not going anywhere.
12:47It's for Morrison.
12:50A little bit unfortunate, seems to be giving Trusty a bit of a hard time.
12:57A little bit unfortunate, seems to be giving Trusty a bit of a hard time.
12:58Scarcely could Martin O'Neill have thought, 21 years on from his last Scottish Cup lift,
13:04that he'd be back here, in charge of Celtic, in the final of this tournament.
13:13Rida's after it again!
13:14Rida's after it again!
13:17Rida's in the right place.
13:27Nigren.
13:32Horst, Yan.
13:36Fraser clears.
13:38Well won back by Trusty, McGregor.
13:46Again.
13:48Engels.
13:49Oh, wonderful!
13:54A wonderful goal, fitting for the cup final.
14:00And Arne Engels might have won the trophy for Celtic already, ten minutes shy of the break.
14:08Oxborough, rooting!
14:11Nah, they're just too much, Celtic midfield.
14:15Engels, and McGregor in particular, finding space, impacting the game.
14:19It's McGregor that steps in with a quick forward pass to Forrest,
14:22and then the space just opens up.
14:24A simple little pass here.
14:27Engels, you know how well he strikes the ball, there is a bit of movement in it,
14:30I think it starts going towards Oxborough.
14:32There's some bodies in front of him.
14:37It's a good strike from Arne Engels.
14:41It's a time and space, you know, really disappointed,
14:44there's no attempt to put pressure on the ball there.
14:49He's been really, really comfortable for Celtic in this first half.
14:59He hasn't always convinced the Belgium international off the back of that record move from Augsburg.
15:06As Yang comes forward, here's Tierney.
15:15Confirming they're being pulled from pillar to toast here.
15:19It's time and space, they're getting overrun, outplayed.
15:23I think Tierney has a chance to get the shot away there.
15:26A little hesitation, just makes the ball go outside them.
15:30But Arne Engels with the pass, and you're right, he has come in for criticism.
15:35Like many Celtic players this season.
15:38A great turn by Yang.
15:40It's a clever ball as well.
15:43James Forrest goes into the net.
15:48He's only regretting he's not taking the ball with him.
15:50Yeah, that's brilliant from Yang.
15:52Little, drop to the shoulder, Chilicoa Mullan buys it.
15:55Too easy.
15:56But that pass, outstanding.
16:04Fraser takes.
16:08Top-out to Abdoulaye here.
16:12Chilicoa Mullan.
16:14Well initially, and then flies in the challenge with Kieran Tierney,
16:19who concedes the corner in the end.
16:22The first of the match for Dunfermline Athletic comes early in the second half.
16:27It's just the determination that gets him through.
16:29A lovely bit of skill here.
16:34Matty Todd to take.
16:35He's standing in the quarters against Aberdeen.
16:38Kane couldn't quite get the flick onto it.
16:40It would have been very interesting to see what would have happened
16:43had he managed to get anything on that.
16:46That's Abdoulaye.
16:47That's a lovely little ball in from Matty Todd.
16:49Abdoulaye goes and attacks it.
16:52He just can't get it in the target.
16:54He's running back the way.
16:55That's a big chance for Dunfermline.
17:01That's a big chance for Dunfermline.
17:04That's a big chance to lose up the box again.
17:09He's taken by Simi Shallow and Mudden slips his hand on the pitch in frustration.
17:15Yeah, but he's there.
17:16He can't get a clean header on it.
17:18But he's there to get his head on the end of it.
17:31Just a little bit of belief, but a lot more belief certainly than the first half from Dunfermline.
17:37He's having Celtic something to think about.
17:47Here come the pars, Andrew Todd.
17:51Sinisalo is to slap it away.
17:56Yeah, I don't think he was going for a goal there, Andrew Todd, but enough to trouble Sinisalo and goal.
18:02Yeah, we're right behind that.
18:04If he misjudges it, it could quite easily have gone in.
18:13Keanu got a second chance.
18:17Matty Todd.
18:21Kearney's balls.
18:22Ruddon's header.
18:25Sanguena.
18:28Gilmore.
18:36He's hit it well, but off target.
18:41But again, it's another signal of intent from this Dunfermline team that's woken up for the second half.
18:47No, it's a great play.
18:48Patient play.
18:49Temptation just to throw it into the box for Fraser and Gilmour.
18:53Ahmad just picks it up.
18:55One thought in his mind.
18:57Take a good first touch, get a shot at the goal.
18:59Scales out, trying to close the angle.
19:02I think Sinisalo had it covered anyway.
19:16Oh, hello.
19:22Scales as the trick's out.
19:24And Yang is on to it.
19:27Iheanacho's waiting.
19:29Flags up.
19:32Offside given.
19:34Iheanacho's asking if it was him, but it looked like Yang was the one who was off.
19:39Yeah, I thought in the build-up that Yang didn't have to get involved.
19:42I thought Iheanacho was running on to it.
19:45And it's a lovely pass from Meagren.
19:51Now he does look offside.
19:53Iheanacho is certainly onside.
19:55And I don't know if Yang has to get in the way.
19:58Iheanacho's running through there.
20:00I mean, he's not getting on to it to be selfish and, you know, put the ball in the back
20:04of the net himself.
20:05He gets his head up and it's a lovely little square pass.
20:07I just don't know how much Yang had to get involved there.
20:14Well, Iheanacho's definitely running on to it.
20:20Boz Yang, first offside.
20:22I don't think it really Iheanacho is.
20:24He gets the other side of Nguyenye by the time.
20:27And that ball was passed.
20:35Here's Johnston for Celtic.
20:38And away by Robbie Fraser.
20:45Incredible, I think it was six months ago we were standing or sitting in this very spot, James,
20:50when Scotland qualified for the World Cup Finals.
20:55And in three weeks' time they'll be taking on Haiti.
20:59And then Foxtra and their return to the biggest tournament of the lot.
21:04Yeah, what a night.
21:05It's been a long way to beat that game, Liam.
21:10Hopefully the boys can turn up and knee-grim for Iheanacho.
21:13Come off a hand there, it's still Iheanacho!
21:24The cup is going back to Parkhead.
21:30And he's been the Super Salves so often in this wonderful end of the season.
21:36And Kelechi Iheanacho settles it.
21:43I mean, there was a shout for a handball in Chilicotl Mullen when he slides across.
21:47But being actual, I mean, it's a goal you see in training.
21:50He's so calm, dancing in and out.
21:53The defenders, he just felt that when he came on, how hungry he would be to get himself a goal
21:59and get on the score sheet.
22:01He does brilliantly.
22:03Just quick feet, desperate to put it in the back of the net, and that settles it.
22:09Confirming good start to the second half.
22:13Certainly Celtic have come strong again, and no surprise that Iheanacho has the ball in the back of the net
22:18once again.
22:23The twinkle-toed Nigerian ensures that Celtic will get their hands on the cup again.
22:32They've won it more than anyone else.
22:35Beaten in last year's final.
22:39They're going to get their trophy back now.
22:43There's not much anyone can do.
22:4812 and a half of the 90 left to play, and you're 3-0 behind.
22:53It's the first half that's killed them, ultimately, Dunfermline.
22:59You can forgive them, championship side up against the country's champions.
23:04The team that's won the top flight so often.
23:07It's the toughest challenge in Scottish football.
23:14Cooper's waiting in the middle for this, and there are others arriving.
23:17Cooper, he's just on, he's pulled one back.
23:26Maybe, just maybe, Dunfermline are not done yet.
23:31Well, what an impact from Cooper.
23:34Andrew Todd will be sitting on the bench thinking,
23:36I wish I was still on for that opportunity, but it's a great play from Dunfermline.
23:41Chris Cain and Rudden linking up.
23:44It's a good run into the box.
23:46I actually thought Rudden was anything about getting the shot away,
23:48but it's a lovely little cutback.
23:52Cooper in the right ways at the right tight.
23:55Just sweep it into the net.
23:57At least they've given their fans,
24:00if they don't manage to mount a comeback,
24:02something to shout about in the Scottish Cup final.
24:07They're just about there again.
24:12And once again, the Scottish Cup belongs to Celtic.
24:20O'Neill and Lennon embrace.
24:26Friends, former colleagues.
24:32The teacher and the pupil.
24:36And it's the teacher who comes out on top.
24:39Martin O'Neill's champions double up
24:41and bring the trophy back to Parkhead for a 43rd time.
24:45And 13th this century.
24:48It is a 14th league in Scottish Cup double.
24:53And 122nd major honour for a club that is a winning machine.
24:59O'Neill at the age of 74
25:01becomes the second oldest manager to win the trophy.
25:06Behind only Bill Struth.
25:07He was 77 when he won his 10th Scottish Cup in 1953.
25:12And it comes 21 years after O'Neill last got his hands on it.
25:17What a story it is for him.
25:20They have beaten Dunferland to end what has been a roller coaster of a season
25:26that saw them exit the Champions League in the qualifiers.
25:28The unseemly departure of the legendary Brendan Rodgers.
25:32The Wilfred Nancy debacle.
25:35And losing the League Cup final here to St. Mary's in December.
25:37Yet from the ashes they have salvaged more glorious success
25:43to add to what has been a remarkably successful 15 years.
25:47They've won 31 of the last 45 major honours available in Scottish football.
25:53And once again despite all the trials and tribulations.
25:58The bitter infighting statement tennis between the fans and the board.
26:04And leaving it late way too often for the manager's liking.
26:07They are top dogs once more.
26:20Celtic Scottish Cup winners yet again.
26:26It is a double.
26:28And it is the stuff of dreams for Martin O'Neill.
26:37Remarkable week in the club's history.
26:39What's been a remarkable era in the club's history.
26:45Who knows when it ends, if it ends.
26:49They will enjoy every moment when it comes along.
26:59Callum, that's another Scottish Cup trophy lift for you.
27:03Where does this one rank?
27:05Yeah, I mean, they're all special.
27:08Probably off the back of a difficult season.
27:11Everything the team's had to go through.
27:12It makes it all the sweeter as well, do you know.
27:15Off the effort last week, three massive games in a week.
27:17And then a little bit of down time.
27:19And then you've got to get yourself going again.
27:21The expectations there, you have to come and win.
27:23Second half, not great.
27:24But we've done a lot of the work in the first half.
27:26So finals are never easy.
27:28And you've always got to weather the storm a little bit.
27:30So I thought the team did fantastic.
27:32And now we can enjoy our summer.
27:34Well, James, another medal for the collection.
27:37How does this one feel given the context of this season?
27:41It's unbelievable.
27:42I think after last week, I think all the emotion.
27:44And it took everything out.
27:45All the players, the staff, the fans.
27:47And I think today was going to be tricky just off the back of last week.
27:51But it was such a high for a couple of days.
27:53And so I think that the boys really dug in.
27:55We put on a good performance.
27:56And we've got another trophy for the club.
27:58And it's another great feeling.
28:00So how hard was it to kind of refine that focus after the emotion of
28:03finally getting over the line, winning the title to focus on this?
28:07No, I think the gaff was brilliant.
28:08He gave us a couple of days off.
28:09He brought us back on Tuesday.
28:10And we've got another day off on the Wednesday.
28:12So I think come the Thursday, two days before the game,
28:15the focus was really on the game.
28:17And as I said, it's a cup final.
28:19So no matter who you're playing, you really want to win it.
28:21And when you see the amount of fans here as well.
28:22So you don't want to let anyone down.
28:25And as I said, you see all the players, the staff, the fans out.
28:27Everyone's buzzing, so delighted.
28:29How do you reflect upon the fact that you have won the double?
28:33I think it's just, you know, this team never starts believing.
28:36You know, we had highs.
28:37We had lows this entire year.
28:39But I know historically Celtic doesn't really have too many lows.
28:42But this team, this organization, when there was a low this year,
28:45we really got behind one another.
28:47And really, you know, I think a lot of teams are pulled in that situation.
28:50And that's not this team.
28:51That's not the environment that Celtic is.
28:53It's a winning environment.
28:54And you've got to switch on it and find a way to win.
28:56And we did.
28:56And how big a role did Martin O'Neill play in all that?
29:00And would you like to see him stick around?
29:01He's not bad at this old managerial lark, is he?
29:04Yeah, he's, obviously, it's up to him what he wants to say.
29:08He's a historic coach and very well established here at Celtic.
29:11But I guess worldwide as a player and as a coach.
29:14So it's really up to him.
29:15Whatever he wants to do, I think anybody will accept.
29:19But yeah, he played a massive part this year.
29:21Coming back twice, you know, how often does that happen?
29:24A 74-year-old coach coming back twice to save the day?
29:26So pretty magical.
29:27He's been fantastic since he's come back in, obviously, the second time as well.
29:30Takes big courage to come back after what happened in December.
29:34Backed up by amazing staff members as well and a huge collective.
29:37So, you know, the manager's legendary status at the club.
29:41I'm sure he will be involved in some capacity anyway.
29:43But the team have been fantastic.
29:44He's drove them on and we've won a double, so he can enjoy that as well.
29:49Well, I'm delighted to say that I'm joined by the two Darrens.
29:52Darren O'Day, former Celtic player, of course, and Darren Young, who played for Dunferman in two
29:57cup finals.
29:57And it's now, of course, the Clyde manager and Martin O'Neill, cup winning manager.
30:03Martin, congratulations again.
30:05When they come to talk about your remarkable career, I would imagine there'll be a chapter
30:10all about the last two weeks.
30:12It's been unbelievable, hasn't it?
30:13It is true, really.
30:14Well, I don't know about chapters in my career, but it was just true about the last couple of weeks.
30:19I think that for us to fight back in the manner which we did to Pip Hartz in the last
30:25few moments was fantastic.
30:27Although, to me, Hartz is the story of the season, without a doubt.
30:32And they're the reason why everybody had an interest, not just in Scotland, but further afield.
30:38So, from that viewpoint, but here today, for us to win and cap it all, it's a lovely feeling.
30:44There seemed to be a buzz, a liveliness about your team today right from the start.
30:48I thought that we had a lot of possession and we got our two goals in front.
30:52I thought in the second half, I felt that Dunfermline came roaring back.
30:56We couldn't get a grip of the game for the next 10 or 15 minutes.
31:00Then we started, as they were pressing forward, we started to get a few chances.
31:05But for a while at the game, I felt that Dunfermline had a score to go.
31:09That could have been really interesting.
31:11Kind of reminded me of the semifinal against St Mirren.
31:14You know, we've got 2-0 in front.
31:16St Mirren, you know, very, very strong in the second half.
31:19Get a goal back, then they get the equaliser.
31:22But for us, just to get the third goal at the time that we did was great for us.
31:27I know you'll give us a classic manager's answer.
31:30I don't like talking about individual players.
31:32But go on, make an exception for us about Dyson Maida.
31:35He's remarkable, isn't he?
31:36His spell is the reason that we have won.
31:40It was really fantastic.
31:42He pulled goal after goal out of nowhere.
31:45His overhead kick against Rangers was just, I think it probably epitomised his last six or seven weeks.
31:51Where he's almost, he's just decided, this is it.
31:54This is it.
31:55I know, if I'm going to leave the football club, which I hope he doesn't,
32:00at the end of all, I'm going to show everybody what I'm capable of doing.
32:04As he has done in previous times.
32:06This time, he woke up just in time for us.
32:10It's why we love sport, why we love this game.
32:13If we'd go back a couple of months to that awful day at Tanadice,
32:16would you ever have believed that you'd be standing here now celebrating a cup and league double?
32:21No, it was a long way off.
32:22And we played so poorly in the game.
32:25Forget about the fact that the pitch wasn't great, it's immaterial.
32:27We played so poorly in the game.
32:29And even though we, I felt, and I think I might have said,
32:33it was a severe blow to us.
32:35I didn't think it was mortal.
32:36But if you told me that we'd have to win the seven games,
32:39you know, almost faultless in terms of results,
32:42then I would have thought that that might have been a bridge too far.
32:46Having said this, we found something, as you say, epitomised by Maeda.
32:50Then we made substitutions in games where I think it's turned the page for us as well too.
32:56In the actual, he's become a cult hero now at this minute.
33:00So, very fine footballer, you can tell by his career.
33:05But, yeah, for us to pull it round from then was terrific.
33:09And then we talk about Junior scores us a goal against Dundee at Celtic Park in the last minute
33:15to take it into extra time.
33:16Otherwise, we wouldn't be here at all.
33:18Absolutely.
33:19You've raised the subject about Maeda's future.
33:21We don't know yet.
33:22Is he staying?
33:22Is he going?
33:23Well, I said in an interview, was it pre-match, that if he did go,
33:28I think he made some reference to the fact that he said he'd love to play in the Premier League.
33:32Who doesn't at the end of the day?
33:34And serious, the way he has played for us, if that opportunity came,
33:40well, I hope it doesn't.
33:41But if it came, it would be hard to stand in his way if that's the case.
33:45He's deserved it.
33:46He's been fantastic here at this football club.
33:49And loved by these Celtic fans.
33:50Absolutely.
33:51Honestly, he's...
33:53As are you.
33:53As are you.
33:54So, come on, what are you going to do?
33:56What's your future?
33:56That is of secondary importance.
33:59If you were asking the owners and the board members what choice would they have,
34:03I think they'd rather keep Maeda.
34:04You know?
34:05So, there we go.
34:06That's true.
34:07No, I don't know about that.
34:08That is absolutely true.
34:10Well, I mean, it's...
34:11I had this young man way back, you know, just starting off your career at the club.
34:15That's right.
34:15Yeah.
34:16Can I ask, man, just at the start of the second half, Dom Firling came out,
34:19they made the three changes, put you under a bit of pressure.
34:22And then, just when it looks like Dom Firling could nick a goal,
34:25you go and make the change, and then within five, ten minutes,
34:27he actually goes through and gets to third.
34:30No, I was concerned because it did take a similar pattern to the semi-final against St Mirren.
34:36You know, coming at us very, very strongly.
34:38And it felt as if for ten or fifteen minutes, we just couldn't get a breath as much as anything
34:45else.
34:46Kept losing the ball when we had it.
34:48Kept, you know, and then, you know, it was already in time.
34:52Had they gone 2-1 at that stage, it would have been a worry.
34:55I just felt we just seemed at that stage just to lack a bit of energy.
35:02Hardly surprising, really, from the week that their last ten or twelve days
35:05and the emotion and all that type of stuff.
35:07But really, yeah, it was a concern.
35:09When they get back to the third goal and then, obviously, Dom Firling score later on,
35:14but I think it's a wee bit too little, too late, and then you get to see the game out.
35:17Yeah, that's right. That's exactly what happened.
35:19Darren, you're...
35:20Don't worry, I still had an eye on the clock to see how long it's left.
35:24But that's a typical manager.
35:25Yeah.
35:26Darren, you're still pretty close to things at Celtic Bar.
35:29Give us an indication of just the players' feeling about this man and what he's done for the club.
35:34Well, I would more speak as an aspiring coach.
35:38I think we get bogged down in the coaching and the training.
35:43Ultimately, this man shows that it's about how you manage people.
35:47I obviously wanted Celtic to win the league from the start of the season,
35:51but it didn't look like it was going to be the case.
35:53And you talk about the last seven games, I think you've won the last 11 or the last 12 games.
35:57Yeah.
35:58It's funny how Dundee United is in that, and that's life as a Celtic player, coach.
36:02Every time you lose a game, it's a catastrophe.
36:04Yeah.
36:04But I don't really have a question other than just say it's just a remarkable feat,
36:08what you've done, and, of course, the staff as well.
36:11The staff have been fantastic.
36:12I mean, I genuinely have been doing the learning.
36:15However, it's interesting.
36:16You know that Guardiola's had 10 years there,
36:19and I heard him doing an interview about a year, must have been a year and a half ago,
36:23and they were asking him about things, and he said,
36:25it is about man management.
36:27And I was really pleased to hear him, like one of the great,
36:30saying something about man management.
36:32So, not to say that he isn't a fantastic coach,
36:34and he's got great ideas, absolutely,
36:36and he's changed the face of the Premier League.
36:41Really good, but it is, in essence, it's nice to hear him saying that.
36:44Yeah, brilliant.
36:45Martin, there'll be a long queue of people who wanted to speak to you,
36:47so we'll detain you no longer.
36:49Thanks for coming over and joining us.
36:50Not at all.
36:51Congratulations.
36:51You and I have not seen each other for...
36:53It's been a little while.
36:54100 years.
36:56We've been in.
36:57Thanks, sir.
36:58Cheers, man.
36:58Thank you very much.
36:59Well done, Martin.
37:00Thanks a million.
37:02So, Martin O'Neill leads Celtic to another trophy.
37:06What about Neil Lennon, his great friend and former captain?
37:09He's been talking to Amy Canavan.
37:11Neil, commiserations, how do you sum that one up?
37:15Just the better team won.
37:16Quality counts, and I think that was the difference today.
37:19We got a little bit spooked first half after the first goal,
37:23and we were a little bit off the pace
37:26and didn't pass it anywhere well near enough,
37:28and then we got them in at half-time
37:29and we played ever so well second half,
37:31but we just liked that quality.
37:34You know, listen, there's not many teams like Celtic have it,
37:38so, yeah, you've got to congratulate them.
37:40They were very good,
37:41and we were a much, much better second half,
37:45and I'm delighted we got the goal
37:46because I thought we deserved something from the game.
37:48It's no surprise.
37:49You said last week, you know,
37:50promotion was very much the main goal this season.
37:53With the run that you had in that
37:55and the run that you've had in this competition,
37:56how much confidence does that give you for next season
37:59and you can get the reinforcements that you would want as well
38:01to get that ultimate promotion?
38:04Well, I'm not overconfident.
38:06We've got a major rebuilding job to do again.
38:08You know, a lot of players are leaving,
38:10they're out of contract,
38:12so we've got, again, just another rebuild,
38:16and that takes time.
38:19The ultimate aim is to get the club into the promotion,
38:22but the championship is such a competitive league,
38:24and we'll see.
38:27But I've really enjoyed this season,
38:28I've enjoyed the players.
38:29I can't speak highly enough of our supporters today,
38:32they were wonderful.
38:33So that gives us all a little taste of what can be.
38:35So, what of the 2026 Scottish Cup final?
38:39Let's get the thoughts of the two Darrens.
38:42Darren, in the end, it seems,
38:44and at times looked, a comfortable win for Celtic,
38:47but there were some anxious moments
38:48at the start of the second half.
38:50Yeah, I think Celtic in the first half
38:52definitely had the better of Dunfermline.
38:55Neil Lennon had to switch kind of formation
38:58halfway through because they just couldn't get
39:00enough pressure on the ball,
39:01and you could tell he wasn't happy
39:02with the way things were going.
39:04Celtic getting the first goal
39:05naturally settles them down,
39:07and for the first half it was comfortable.
39:08But you're right,
39:10in the second half,
39:11for a good spell,
39:13Dunfermline had the kind of pressure on Celtic,
39:16had a good bit of the ball,
39:19and then obviously Celtic get the third goal.
39:21But Dunfermline,
39:22for the full 90 minutes,
39:23played and never once let their head go down.
39:25That's kind of a testament to the manager
39:27on the touchline.
39:28And as we always say in these cases, Darren,
39:30it's important for the underdogs
39:31to try to get the first goal,
39:33and Dunfermline very nearly did
39:35through Callum Morrison.
39:36That was almost over the line.
39:38Yeah, I mean,
39:39from where we were,
39:40we thought it was over,
39:41but the first 10, 15 minutes,
39:42I think Dunfermline,
39:43they did well,
39:44they pressed,
39:44they kept a high line,
39:46and again,
39:47just unlucky with Callum
39:48with a toe-pock,
39:49we thought it was over.
39:50Then once Celtic kind of got the goals,
39:52pretty comfortable for them,
39:53they get the kind of quick second,
39:54and then obviously they see it
39:56out to half-time,
39:57but I think getting into the second half,
39:59the start,
40:00they made the three changes
40:01to Dunfermline at half-time,
40:01it seemed to have an edge,
40:03and again,
40:03they looked like they were going
40:04to get the first goal,
40:05and I think really at that point,
40:06if they get the first goal back,
40:07then they've got a wee opportunity,
40:09but instead,
40:10Martin makes a change,
40:11and Achille comes on
40:12and scores,
40:13goes by two or three
40:14or four players,
40:15and then sloths it in
40:16like he does.
40:18Again,
40:19we can only say
40:20what a player dies on Maida is.
40:22I mean,
40:22it was just a stunning performance today,
40:24wasn't it?
40:24Yeah,
40:24I mean,
40:24the first goal was great,
40:25and it's what you know from him,
40:27he gets in behind,
40:28he uses his pace,
40:29the goalie comes out
40:30and he just knocks it over him,
40:31and it's 1-0.
40:33Yeah.
40:33What about Arnie Engel's shot?
40:35That was another cracking goal,
40:36Darren,
40:36wasn't it?
40:36Yeah,
40:37it was,
40:38because Oxford keeper
40:39doesn't actually dive for it,
40:41from where we were,
40:42you were kind of wondering
40:42had it moved in a specific way
40:45or had it even taken a deflection,
40:46but I think it's,
40:48Callum McGregor lays it on,
40:49really,
40:49really nice way to pass,
40:50and then Arnie Engel
40:51has a fantastic right foot
40:53and just smashes through it
40:54and actually gives Oxford
40:55no chance.
40:57And it was a big goal,
40:58I think once that goes in,
40:59I think from Dunfermline's point of view,
41:00it really takes this thing
41:01out of them,
41:03and Celtic really were in control
41:05at that point.
41:06Yeah,
41:06and as we've said,
41:07Dunfermline looking good
41:08and threatening start
41:09at the second half,
41:10again,
41:10a bit like the first half,
41:11they needed to score,
41:12didn't they?
41:12They needed to get that 2-1 score line.
41:15Yeah,
41:15when they get on top
41:16and again,
41:17they put balls in the box,
41:18they delivered front post,
41:19back post,
41:20and again,
41:20Celtic defended their box well
41:21at that point in time,
41:22and then when they go
41:23and nick the third,
41:23it kind of takes the stuffing out of them,
41:25but fair play,
41:26they made the change,
41:27young Josh Cooper came on
41:28and again,
41:29great to score,
41:29get on to the Scottish Cup final
41:30and score on his first touch.
41:31You've got a connection with Josh,
41:32of course,
41:33haven't you?
41:33Yeah,
41:33I brought young Josh in at Stillan Albee
41:35and he did brilliant
41:36and then off the back of that,
41:37he then gets his move to Dunfermline
41:38and he slowly but surely
41:39worked his way up
41:40and again,
41:41delighted to see him come on
41:42and then delighted to see him
41:43score with his first touch.
41:44Yeah,
41:45and if you're Celtic,
41:45to be able to bring on
41:46a proven scorer
41:47and a player like Iheanacho,
41:49what a lift that gives you,
41:50doesn't it?
41:51Yeah,
41:51it does
41:52and it's probably been
41:53the biggest feat
41:54of Martin O'Neill's reign
41:56this time round,
41:57Celtic,
41:57his subs
41:58and the timing of them
42:00and the little
42:01tweaks he makes.
42:04He seems to,
42:05normally a player like Iheanacho
42:06would expect to start
42:07these games
42:08and nearly have
42:09maybe the hump coming on
42:10but every player
42:10that comes on to the pitch
42:12is impacting it
42:12and it's the timing
42:13of the way Martin does it.
42:15So,
42:16yeah,
42:17I think there's so much credit
42:18needs to go to obviously
42:19the players
42:20but ultimately
42:21there's one guy
42:22at the top of it
42:22that's kind of
42:23pulling the strings
42:24and he certainly did it
42:25again today.
42:25That's a number of times
42:26Celtic subs have come on
42:27and impacted games.
42:29An award for the job
42:30that Neil Lennon's
42:30done at Firmland,
42:31Darren?
42:32Yeah,
42:32it's been great.
42:33It's been a great end
42:34to the season.
42:34They were unfortunate
42:35in the playoffs.
42:36They gave it their all
42:37and then again
42:38they get to a cup final
42:39which has been brilliant
42:40and again
42:41it's the same
42:41we were talking
42:43about Martin
42:44there.
42:44Again,
42:44the start of the season
42:45I don't think
42:46Martin would have thought
42:47he'd had two spells
42:48at Celtic
42:48and then by the end
42:49he wins a double
42:50come the end of the season
42:51with a goal,
42:53a couple of minutes
42:53to go
42:53to win the title
42:54and then obviously
42:55doing well today
42:56in the cup final.
42:58We've kind of hinted
42:59that Dyson Maida
43:00will probably go.
43:02What about Martin
43:03O'Neill himself,
43:03Darren?
43:07I personally think
43:08he's got the appetite
43:09as Darren's touched on
43:11he never would have
43:12dreamed in a million years
43:13this is the position
43:14he'd be in right now
43:15but I think now he is
43:16the hunger's back
43:17it doesn't matter
43:18what age you are
43:18it's still there for him
43:20so I think that's
43:21a discussion
43:21I think once emotion leaves
43:23I think it's always best
43:24to make decisions
43:24when emotion leaves
43:25so maybe in the next
43:26week or so
43:27those questions
43:29will be answered.
43:30These Celtic fans
43:31behind the goal
43:32they're celebrating
43:33long after the final
43:35whistle
43:35we'll certainly be
43:36hoping that he stays.
43:37It's a different
43:38Hamden now isn't it
43:39after all the excitement
43:41of another cup final
43:42thanks very much
43:43for enjoying the
43:44highlights with us
43:44thanks to Darren O'Day
43:46and to Darren Young
43:47the end of the
43:49domestic season
43:49what a season it's been
43:50now there's a World Cup
43:52to look forward to
43:53bye bye for now.
44:00that's a Vendorji
44:01isn't it
44:02Anthony Salo
44:03gets away with it
44:05that's clever
44:06and that is 1-0 Celtic
44:10oh wonderful
44:20once again
44:22the Scottish Cup
44:23belongs to Celtic
44:25you've got to go
44:25who is in the
44:25the Irish Cup
44:26you've got to go
44:26who is in the
44:26you've got to go