Chapter 1: What is discussed at the start of this section?
It's game day and this is the home of Scottish football. It's Clyde One Super Scoreboard.
Good afternoon and welcome to Clyde One Super Scoreboard live from Hampden on Scottish Cup final day. Celtic against Umfermline for the final piece of major domestic silverware in what has been the most incredible and unmissable Scottish football season.
Will it be the favourite Celtic to win this famous old trophy again managed by Martin O'Neill and will it be for the final time or does his stint as boss go on and looking forward to make history of their own, forget about spoil the party, championship side, Dunfermline, of course managed by Neil Lennon of all people.
Chapter 2: How do the conditions affect the game day atmosphere?
I'm Gordon Duncan, and joining me at the National Stadium, we've got Brian Graham and Gordon DL.
First and foremost, Gordon, the conditions here this afternoon are absolutely magnificent. We're looking down this pitch, It's like a bowling green. The Dunfermline players have been out, had a good look. Just looked at Neil Lennon walking out there. Normally, as a manager, when he comes to a cup final, he's a strong favourite because he usually gets Celtic, but today he's underdog.
I'm looking forward to the game. I think it'll be a brilliant game, but if the Pairs are going to lift the cup, they've obviously got to do it the hard way. They've knocked out three Premiership teams. This is the biggest one this afternoon, and Celtic going for a double.
Very cruel of him, Brian Graham. It's almost like that was your cue to come in mentioning the Premiership teams that Dunfermline have dumped out. But before we take you on a painful trip down memory lane, how good is this going to be?
Yeah, it's a fantastic afternoon. It's the climate of the end of the season here at the Hampden Stadium. The pitch is looking absolutely magnificent, but a couple of big calls for Dunfermline. Oxfam is back in the goal today. The others had their problems in the play-off semi-final. Chris Cairns went back to the bench today, so...
a couple of big decisions from Neil Lennon who's standing on the pitch right now with his sunglasses on looking a million so salty play for here at Hampden As the guys have alluded to the pitch is magnificent the scene is set and in the studio as well Andrew McLean will steer the ship in the not too distant future joining him
Cammy Bell and a man who's seen it all on cup final day Hugh Kevins I'll give you a beat the pundit question Gordon who scored the first goal of Celtic Scottish Cup campaign this season against Auchinleck Talbot don't worry about the answer I'll give it to you Johnny Kenny and he left the club the week after that sums up this Scottish Cup run for
Martin O'Neill, they've gone to extra time against Dundee, extra time in penalties against Rangers, extra time against St Mirren in the semi-final. What an odd run to the cup final, better only by than Firmland, who defeated Aberdeen, Hibs and Falkirk, but didn't finish within 25 points of the promoted club. in the Championship, and that was St Johnstone.
But they could win the Scottish Cup this afternoon, having beaten four teams from the Premiership. What an odd season.
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Chapter 3: What are the key player changes for Celtic and Dunfermline?
If Celtic don't score here today, I think it could be a comfortable afternoon But Neil Lennon, he's a master, you know, he's come up against three Premier League teams and he's been absolutely brilliant tactically. It'll be interesting to see what he does this afternoon here, but it's a big, big ask for me.
Yeah, Brian, if you are Neil Lennon in Dunfermline and you come in here as essentially a mid-table championship side, I suppose, as far as reference points go, knocking out three Premiership teams, two top six teams and the reigning holders of the Cup, It's about all you can do isn't it, it's about as good a place as you can come into this as a mid-table championship club.
No you've got to give them a lot of credit, they were probably the underdogs in the semi-final as well and credit to them on the day they changed the game into a battle and we kind of fell into that trap that afternoon and they got the job done in penalties so congratulations to them, they're here on merit, they've been absolutely excellent in the Scottish Cup this season and who knows how this game is going to play out.
Neil Lennon will be thinking to himself if he can go and get that first goal because Celtic have not been keeping clean sheets of late but in the same time and same breath as that Celtic have won their last seven games the confidence is really high they've just won the Scottish Premiership Martin O'Neill is looking for a cup double really looking forward to see how the afternoon plays out I mean Gordon Dale we tend to come here live on cup final day every time and
for a while it took on a very similar theme the ribbons on the trophy at the end of the day would always end up being green and white but a year ago Aberdeen surprised everyone and beat Celtic then an even bigger surprise when St Mirren did it in the League Cup albeit under Wilfred Nancy and everyone knows the back story but it's almost unthinkable that Celtic lose three consecutive cup finals at Hampden is it not?
Not just that Gordon this is a massive basket you talk there about you know, losing the cup finals. They lost on the Premier League teams. This is a championship team that finished fourth. Now, remember, they finished fourth. And I agree with Brian. On merit, they're here. Brilliant. I think Neil Lennon is doing a terrific job.
But if you finish fourth in the championship and you come up against the league winners, the champions of Celtic, especially on a pitch like this where they know it inside out, the experience they've got, the players they've got, as I say, the conditions are absolutely brilliant. I'd be very surprised if it were a cup shot
Are you a momentum man, Hugh Kevins? How much of a difference does it make what Celtic did last week and have done over the last couple of months?
I think the day is full of emotion, Gordon. For Martyn O'Neill, speculation over whether this is his last game as Celtic manager. Tomorrow he goes to Nottingham to see a stand being named after John Robertson, who was his assistant manager when he was at Celtic 25 years ago. I think Martin O'Neill wants to go on an absolute high.
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Chapter 4: What is the significance of the managers' history in this match?
He goes at full-backs. He could be a real handful. Connected, for me, just floats in and out the game. Doesn't do enough for me. He really doesn't. But I'm not surprised with the rest of the starting XI. I think it's the strongest Celtic I've got. And they've also got the fact that Martin O'Neill has this knack when he puts subs on, they start to make an impact.
They've got that this afternoon as well.
Yeah, I mean, Brian, if you wanted to be really pernickety about it, that probably is a problem position for Celtic, if you want to call it that. They can't seem to find anyone who starts there, starts the game well, finishes the game well. They always have to make these in-game adjustments. James Forrest clearly can still contribute, but he's at a certain stage of his career.
Tanecki not able to do it from the start. But, as Gordon says... These are still league winners, this is probably roundabout as strong as Celtic could put out there today.
Both very talented wingers, but James Forrest, he's still got that burst of pace, and I think he's got better quality than Tonecti. Tonecti sometimes fakes to go down the side, always wants to cut back on that right foot, and I don't think he's fine with balls. Is he any good? Obviously, the Jota injury, and they've kind of struggled to replace Jota in that wide area.
But today, I think James Forrest is the right man to start. Tonecti can come on and impact the game. But just looking at Dunfermline... I think they've got match winners as well. It's not Celtic are massive favourites here, but the boy Callum Morrison can score a goal out of nothing.
The boy Robbie Fraser, who was a Rangers on loan to Livingston last year, has got fantastic left foot, so he'll be up and down that left flank, supplying balls into the box. I don't think Dunfermline will come here and sit in. I think they'll have a goal, because Celtic have been losing goals, as I said earlier, at the back.
They've not kept a clean sheet for a long time, so Dunfermline will fancy their chances as well here.
If we're looking at potential match winners though, Gordon DL, how difficult is it to look past the man... that Hugh mentioned. Daizen Maeda has got eight goals in his last six games. He went 17 without scoring at one stage this season. I remember even here, of all places, when he lined up for Japan against Scotland, he looked a shadow of his former self.
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Chapter 5: Where is Ryo Hatate and what is his status?
On the subject of Japanese players, where's Ryo Hatate?
It's a very good question. He wasn't in a squad against Hearts. He was definitely part of the celebrations when they lifted the trophy last weekend. But once again, not on the bench. There hasn't been any word from Martin O'Neill about whether Ryo Hatate is injured or not. He...
went a run of games where he wasn't getting off the bench for Celtic you do wonder whether he maybe just is out of favour and if it is to be Dyson Maeder's final period at Celtic he's going out on such a high scoring all these goals if it's to be Real Hitati's final run for Celtic It would be quite a sad end to someone that has been a big contributor for Celtic over the years.
Major contributor. At one stage, the man who made Celtic tick, really. But he seems to have vanished, and other than joining in celebrations, he's not joining in the play. So I think we've already seen the last of Reo Hitati.
Yeah I would agree with that I think Hattati over the years he's been excellent he's been as Hugh says he's made Celtic tick at times him and Cal McGregor playing together and he's been a really top player for Celtic but certainly this season went off the boil it looks as if he's out of favour now and probably will leave the club in summer but again there's going to be so many changes for Celtic in the summer it's just going to be fascinating what happens after this game
At the moment, they're all over Dunfermline. A second goal before half-time would be a big, big blow. I wouldn't say fatal, because they've been two up before, as in the semi-final, and they were still taking text for time.
Yeah, corners for Celtic again. As you say, Hugh, just pressure on the Dunfermline defence.
All the time at the moment But Dunfermline just need to hang in there There's always this period after you concede a goal There's always a period that team will take it Certainly Celtic are looking for that second goal Because I think if they score the second goal They'll feel as if the job's done I know what you're saying Hugh But certainly it could end Dunfermline
and a chance Celtic will have the likes of Austin trustee Liam Scales up, who he is their biggest threat from these situations, but it's a good header away to clear the danger to around 40 yards out from the goal.
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Chapter 6: What changes did Neil Lennon make at halftime?
But at the moment, they've firmly dropped out the game as an attacking force. They've had their moment when Sinisalo and Alistair Johnson get all mixed up, and it took Liam Scales to... take the ball away before it crossed the line but at the moment the game is pretty much in Dunfermline's half of the field can he?
Yeah it is it's complete domination from Celtic they're controlling the game they're moving the ball fast you can see they're wanting that second goal they realise the importance that when Dunfermline are on the ropes a little bit you've got to take advantage of that so
I'm pretty sure that Celtic are delighted with the way that it started they've got that goal they needed because as I mentioned pre-match that the longer the game goes on it's 0-0 the frustration starts from the fans the players start to get frustrated on the pitch as well but now they'll feel comfortable
just speaking about you know potentially being players last games I think days like today is when everybody turns into body language experts after the game and people are trying to work out exactly you know what players look as if they're saying goodbye what players look misty eyed what ones look as if they're maybe saying goodbye Celtic fans will be doing that with maybe a few of the players and certainly they'll be doing it with Martin O'Neill as well
You never know, I remember Paul McStay lobbing his jersey into the crowd at Celtic Park and everyone assumed that was that.
Was that a Scottish Cup final that Alan McGregor got substituted off and he got given his big moment and signed a new deal and came back the next season? Yeah, just incredible. You can never read too much into it. We've had Martin Boyle recently. Everyone thought he was leaving Hibs and then signed a new deal. So I think there'll be certainly, all eyes will be on Martin O'Neill.
I think we'll soon find out whether he's going to be in charge next season or not. Whether there's anything said today or he lets anything slip in his post-match interview, I'm pretty sure that'll all depend on how this game pans out. Yeah, I was at his press conference on Thursday once again because the topic will always come up.
Asked about his future and he said that, yes, he spoke to Dermot Desmond in the tunnel after Celtic beat Hearts and he spoke to Ross Desmond yesterday.
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Chapter 7: How did Dunfermline respond in the second half?
his son as well but he said there were no talks about his future then he said any any talks of anything like that would be happening after today so certainly from what martin o'neill was saying it seemed seemed left very open to what could happen going forward to you but you never know he could come out today and announce what's happening i think if celtic win the cup and i won't be disrespectful to them firmly i'll say if celtic win the cup
Martin O'Neill would probably prefer it for the players and supporters to be as one for Martin to join in the celebrations and tomorrow will take care of itself however still a match to be won here
Yeah, we are approaching the 13-minute mark at Hampden. It's Celtic 1, Dunfermline 0. That goal from Dyson Maeda. Of course, who else would it have been is the only one of the game so far at Hampden. And Celtic are in control. They had a real period of dominance there for the past five minutes or so.
But the game just breaking up a bit slightly, which I think Dunfermline will be a bit happier about.
Poor old Yang signed a four-year extension to his contract yesterday. He's having an absolute shocker in the first half hour.
so Celtic clearly have a great deal of belief in him to give him that four year extension he's been one of Celtic's main contributors this season double figures for goals and probably he's been Celtic's most reliable and consistent winger all season he could still be a sight to behold this afternoon but his first half ever nothing going his way
Kieran Nguyen took a bit of a chance there taking the ball down facing his own goal but he was very calm passed it back to Aston Oxborough he went long but Celtic now back on the attack and it's James Forrest just doing that sort of shimmy of the body that you see all the time going to the byline but the cross is over the top of everyone doesn't lead to a Celtic chance but once again that
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Chapter 8: What does Kelechi Iheanacho's goal mean for Celtic?
It's where Dunfermline need to try and take the ball in, the ball comes out to Tashan Oakley-Booth but Liam Scales just wraps his foot around, gets a touch on the ball and Celtic back in possession and it just doesn't really give the Dunfermline defence any relief, any time to just gather themselves and get back into position because all of a sudden the ball's back in Celtic's possession and they're having to defend again.
Just waves of attack, and that's what they put themselves under pressure. If you can't hold the ball up as a Duff Herman striker, then you're going to find yourself having a long afternoon defending. So it's so important when the ball goes up to hold it in. You've got to give Liam Scales credit there. He follows the striker all the way and he nicks it off him.
Very aggressive defending, but Celtic are in full control.
How are they, Cammy, in terms of energy levels? Because they had the playoffs to contend with as well. Yeah, they did.
Again, I think they've had a long enough period just to settle themselves down, I'm pretty sure. Neil Lennon gave them a couple of days off after that defeat to Partick Thistle just to dust themselves down.
but listen you've got to you'd be absolutely up for this game you'll be full of energy it's just concentration and I think just that one lapse of concentration from the defence when you start to play the elite teams they take advantage of that so we've already seen that for me they just need to get to half time if they can get to half time 1-0 Neil Lennon will deliver the message that again frustrates Celtic don't concede a goal and then allow ourselves to grow into the game and try and put Celtic under a little bit of pressure
I do enjoy the stories about Neil Lennon as a manager because every single player that you speak to, you referenced it, Brian Graham referenced it as well, that the one thing that he does is he makes every single player feel 10 foot tall. How does he do it? What's his style pre-match making that allows players to go out and think that, you know... They are so good. What does he say?
Again, it's different. Sometimes he'll come up with stories. And again, it'll be previous experiences that he's had. Especially, I think he'll have certainly referenced a lot of experience that he's had in cup finals and winning trophies. Celtic are on the tack. Yeah, Celtic have all played from the left into the six-yard box, but that one is cleared. And it goes all the way back to Liam Scales.
Yeah, so I think he'll have referenced a lot of his experiences just to G up the players and start to paint a picture of how it feels to win a trophy. And when you start to do that and slowly integrate belief into players, they start to buy into it. So he's got a unique talent because I think He's very, very calm when he comes in the dressing room before the match.
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