The drama of the Premiership title battle was replaced as the Scottish Cup took centre stage with the finalists for the showpiece confirmed
Monday Jury
06:00, 20 Apr 2026
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Luke McCowan of Celtic celebrates scoring his team's fourth goal with teammates
So it’s going to be Martin O’Neill versus Neil Lennon in this season’s end of season showpiece. Which of them will get their hands on the Scottish Cup?
KEITH JACKSON: [Celtic](http://celtic FC - Latest news, reaction, results, pictures, video - Daily Record) toyed with the idea of blowing it yesterday but their extra time goal blitz has set up a dream sequence of a final for the 74-year-old. It will end the way it started more than two decades ago for O’Neill, with a silver lining.
MICHAEL GANNON: It’s an incredible story at the end of a season packed full of them. Lennon’s men will give Celtic a game but O’Neill should secure a silver send off.
SCOTT McDERMOTT: You’d have to think Celtic will have too much quality for a Championship side in the final. But who knows what their mental state will be after the title run-in and you’re a brave man to bet against Lennon in any one-off game.
Has veteran winger James Forrest just played his way into Celtic’s starting XI for the run-in?
KEITH: Forrest was a game changer at Hampden, setting up Kelechi Iheanacho’s third goal and sparking St Mirren’s late collapse. He remains the best winger at the club and a key man in big moments. He shouldn’t be restricted to the odd cameo.
MICHAEL: Forrest is still Celtic’s most effective attacker but he struggles to last 90 minutes these days so he’s likely to be kept in reserve as an impact sub when he’s needed most.
SCOTT: Potentially. In terms of quality, he’s as good as - or better than - Celtic’s other wingers like Yang and Seb Tounekti. On top of that, he’s got all the experience and that winning mentality. It’s whether he’s got the legs to start every game. He showed at Hampden he can have a big impact from the bench.
Dunfermline have booked their place at Hampden - but are they also destined for next season's Premiership?
KEITH: They’ll fancy their chances in the play-offs and with seriously good reason. Aberdeen in particular will be waking up in a cold sweat at the thought of an end of season return to East End Park.
MICHAEL: The Pars have hit form at the right time and that momentum could smash them through the playoffs.
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Dunfermline Athletic players celebrate victory in the penalty shoot-out(Image: Steve Welsh/PA Wire)
The scales are tipped so far in the favour of the Premiership team though, and it might be a step too far to get up.
SCOTT: You certainly wouldn't rule it out. Neil Lennon is a master at setting up teams to win one-off games, which could be vital in the play-offs. The odds are stacked against them given the number of games involved but the likes of St Mirren or Kilmarnock won't fancy facing them to retain their top flight status.
If you were Andy Robertson's agent what would your advice be to the Scotland skipper now that his Liverpool career appears to be over?
KEITH: Don’t rush into anything and especially not signing for basket case Spurs. Arne Slot looks like a dead man walking and if the Dutchman is bagged at the end of this season then the next manager might want you to stay. Enjoy the World Cup and take it from there.
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MICHAEL: You’d be holding out for the highest bidder from the EPL to secure a bumper final pay day. Robertson still has the tools to cut it at the very top level for a couple of years to come.
SCOTT: Go and play games at the highest level possible. He's still only 32 and one of Europe's best left-backs. He's also a fierce competitor so I wouldn't want to see him go to the MLS or Saudi. If Spurs stay up and there's a deal on the table, going to play for De Zerbi would be great for him.