Neil Lennon says it would be ‘hell of a story’ if he faces Martin O’Neill in ‘final game’ as manager

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Celtic now know their possible Scottish Cup final opponents.

In another upset at Hampden on Saturday afternoon, Neil Lennon’s Dunfermline, who are in the second tier of Scottish football, beat Premiership Falkirk on penalties to book their Scottish Cup final ticket.

Now, if Celtic beat St Mirren in the other semi-final on Sunday, then Martin O’Neill will face a familiar face on the Hampden touchline, and it’s going to be ’emotional’ for Lennon.

“Emotional if it happens,” responded Lennon on possibly facing O’Neill. “But it could possibly be Martin’s last game as a manager. I have never done it before. But it would be a hell of a story.”

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Dunfermline boss Neil Lennon on possibly facing Martin O’Neill’s Celtic

As mentioned above, Dunfermline seeing off Falkirk was a huge upset. Another unexpected upset at Hampden.

The previous one was St Mirren beating Celtic in the League Cup final in December, so the champions of Scotland know exactly what they are up against.

But if the Hoops can book that meeting with Lennon, then as the Celtic legend mentioned, it would be ‘a hell of a story.’

The date for the Scottish Cup final is 23 May. One week after the final game of the Premiership season.

By then, Celtic will have known their fate for what has been a season of chaos, decline, unrest and drama.

Plus, it’s not expected O’Neill will be Celtic manager next season, so that Scottish Cup final might well be the 74-year-old legend’s final game in the dugout.

“Emotional if it happens,” responded Lennon on possibly facing O’Neill. “That’s not taking anything away from St Mirren, who have already won one cup. I wouldn’t write them off.

“But it could possibly be Martin’s last game as a manager. I have never done it before. But it would be a hell of a story.

“But he will tell you that he doesn’t want to talk about it. He wouldn’t want to talk about it until afterwards. Him being him. He still has a lot to do with the league, and against St Mirren.”