Martin O’Neill shares thoughts following Scottish Cup semi-final triumph

Martin O’Neill expressed his delight after his team secured a place in next month’s Scottish Cup final with a 6-2 extra-time win over St Mirren F.C. at Hampden Park.

It was a dramatic encounter, with Celtic F.C. taking a 2-0 lead into half-time through goals from Daizen Maeda and Anthony Ralston. However, St Mirren responded in the second half with two goals to force extra time.

Celtic then took control, scoring four times in the first period through Luke McCowan, Benjamin Nygren, and a brace from Kelechi Iheanacho, sealing their place in the final against Dunfermline Athletic F.C., managed by Neil Lennon.

Speaking after the match, O’Neill described it as a “brilliant day,” praising his side’s overall performance. He admitted there were moments where they could have moved the ball forward quicker but commended the team’s resilience, especially after conceding late in normal time.

He highlighted the importance of scoring early in extra time, which boosted confidence and allowed his side to push on for a convincing win. O’Neill also singled out Iheanacho for his impact, noting that despite recent injury struggles, a fully fit striker remains a major threat.

Looking ahead, the manager believes the emphatic scoreline will provide a significant confidence boost going into the final stretch of the league campaign, including their upcoming match against Falkirk F.C..