When the final whistle blew at Hampden Park to confirm Celtic’s 3-1 Scottish Cup final victory over Dunfermline Athletic, the most powerful moment didn’t come from Callum McGregor’s trophy lift.
It came from the touchline between two Celtic legends, in a profoundly symbolic gesture that spoke volumes.
Neil Lennon, having just watched his Championship side get outclassed by the champions of Scotland and fall short at the final hurdle of a remarkable cup run, didn’t sulk after the final whistle.
Instead, Lennon, when shaking Martin O’Neill’s hand, raised his hand high into the Glasgow sunshine, a gesture that even caught the eye of Celtic’s official media channels.
Give us your gut feeling after the cup final… will Martin O’Neill be Celtic manager next season?
Neil Lennon showcases his respect towards Martin O’Neill
That single poignant moment said everything about the deep-rooted respect between Lennon and O’Neill.
For the Celtic Park faithful watching across the world, it was a moment steeped in history.
Here was the apprentice, the no-nonsense midfield general who bled green and white during O’Neill’s first iconic reign in the early 2000s, humbly acknowledging the man who did so much for his career in Glasgow, including at Leicester City.
BBC Sport Scotland noted that moment and wrote on their social channels: ‘A nice moment of respect between Martin O’Neill and Neil Lennon at the end of the game.’
Celtic simply posted the word ‘legends’ on social media.
If this is O’Neill’s final game in the dugout…
O’Neill’s shock return to the dugout for the 2025/26 campaign has been a fairy tale, culminating in Celtic winning the domestic double.
But this might now be O’Neill’s final bow as a manager, and if that’s a case, what a way to say goodbye.
Winning two trophies at a club where he elevated his status as a manager, and doing so up against someone like Lennon, who was a key player for him in England and in Scotland, just feels right.
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