Martin O’Neill will reunite with Neil Lennon on the touchline in the Scottish Cup final after Celtic overcame St Mirren.
The Hoops secured a 6-2 extra-time victory over St Mirren after nearly surrendering a two-goal advantage at Hampden Park, with Lennon admitting it will be a “privilege” to face his former mentor.
O’Neill has long been a source of motivation for many, and Lennon previously revealed he leaned on one of his quotes to inspire his squad when he took charge of Omonia Nicosia.
Neil Lennon inspired by Martin O’Neill quote
During his Omonia unveiling in 2022, the Northern Irishman echoed a well-known phrase originally used by the man who brought him to Celtic.
He said: “I’ll do everything in my power to bring success to this football club,” on the day, before revealing the words of wisdom came from the Hoops legend.
Reflecting on it, he told The Scottish Sun in 2022: “I owe everything to Martin in terms of my career, as a player, and what he brought to me from a managerial point of view.
I can’t deny, what I said at my press conference was from Martin after he became Celtic manager. I thought it was a great quote, it just covered it beautifully.
It’s the right thing to say.
“It’s not too brash nor is it saying you’re going to do this and that.
“It’s quite simple – I WILL do everything in my power to bring success to this football club.”
When is the 2026 Scottish Cup final?
The Scottish Cup Final will bring the curtain down on what has been a turbulent 2025/26 campaign.
Celtic are set to take on Dunfermline Athletic on Saturday 23 May 2026 at Hampden Park and will be strong favourites against a side from the second tier.
However, nothing is guaranteed, and the Hoops must be at their sharpest to prevail in what shapes up as a clash between mentor and protégé.