MARTIN O’NEILL is relishing the prospect of going head to head with Neil Lennon in the Scottish Cup Final at Hampden on Saturday May 23.
Thanks to a mesmerising four-goal scoring spree in six breathtaking minutes, Celtic overcame the stubborn challenge of Premier Sports League Cup conquerors St Mirren to win 6-2 in their dramatic last four confrontation yesterday.
Twenty-four hours earlier, Lennon’s Dunfermline had to rely on penalty-kicks to get the job done against Premiership top six opposition Falkirk following a goalless extra-time affair.
BIG NOISE…Martin O’Neill gets a point across to his Celtic players.
O’Neill spoke to his former Celtic skipper, a player he signed for Leicester City from Crewe in 1996, on the Premier Sports TV gantry immediately after the final whistle against the Saints.
The Irishman met up with the media shortly afterwards and was asked about his feelings facing Lennon in the soccer showpiece that will bring down the final curtain on a remarkable season.
O’Neill smiled: “I’ve just done an interview with him – he’s doing some punditry work. Gosh, he gets everywhere.
“But he has done remarkably well. He did brilliantly for me at Leicester and at Celtic. And he’s done brilliantly at Dunfermline.
“What an effort on Saturday. So, when the time comes, I’ll look forward to it.”
Reflecting on the late drama against the Paisley side, O’Neill, speaking to the Daily Mail, continued: “With St Mirren scoring so late on to equalise, they are in the psychological ascendancy.
“For us to retrieve that situation, in the manner in which we did, gives the team confidence, which is great. And it gives us all renewed energy.”
BIG NOISE…Neil Lennon salutes Dunfermline after penalty-kick shoot-out win over Falkirk.
O’Neill had watched a two-goal half-time advantage after goals from Daizen Maeda and Anthony Ralston disintegrate when a double from Mikael Mandron pushed the tie into extra-time.
However, the Hoops responded well with two goals from Kelechi Iheanacho and singles from Luke McCowan and Benjamin Nygren sealing a return to the venue next month.
The interim Hoops gaffer added: “If you win, that’s what it’s all about. I think that we’re capable of being more dynamic.
“The one thing that I can’t deny the team and that is a really great spirit to fight through that adversity – having the game taken away from them in one aspect, and then to come really roaring back.”
O’Neill will be looking for more of the same when the champions kick off their five-game run-in to the title against Falkirk at Parkhead on Saturday evening with a 5.30pm start.
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