O'Neill: The Emotional Rollercoaster of Celtic

Martin O’Neill endured, suffered then celebrated as Celtic came through an incredible Scottish Cup semi-final against St Mirren.

A 6-2 score-line doesn’t begin to tell the story of the match as Celtic booked a cup final place against Dunfermline on May 23.

O’Neill and the Celtic support were put through every emotion.

Against the opponents that they lost the League Cup Final to in December Celtic looked on course for victory. The defeat.

At half-time Celtic led 2-0. At the end of 90 minutes they were out on their feet, level at 2-2 and staring into extra time.

Incredibly Celtic scored four goals inside six minutes in the first half of extra-time!

That wasn’t on the script for a team that has struggled to score all season.

O’NEILL SUFFERS THEN CELEBRATES

Suddenly the passes, crosses and shots were finding their target. Celtic made it look easy.

Everything clicked as O’Neill looked on from the side-lines. Having suffered through the second half as the game had looked like slipping away.

? @CelticFC manager Martin O’Neill reacts to booking a place in the final, and shares his excitement about the prospect of facing Neil Lennon in the final

“He’s been fantastic for me” ??#ScottishCup pic.twitter.com/YB0ad7QN9v

— Premier Sports (@PremSportsTV) April 19, 2026

Emma Dodds: How was that from your perspective?

O’Neill:

That was, if there’s such a thing as enjoying it, I enjoyed the last three minutes most of the time. So, yeah, it was tough.

St Mirren proved really difficult. Even at 2-0, I felt we weren’t going to see it through if they got a goal.

They scored early in the second half, and even towards the end you felt they could get another, which they did but we found something in extra time. James Forrest dropping his shoulder and the goal that followed turned it again for us.

I think we’ve all been there where you’re saying something at the end of the game and it’s as much encouragement for yourself as anything else.

Celtic went to Hampden with three goals in their previous three matches.

Tomas Cavancara dropped completely out of the squad with Daizen Maeda taken off the left wing to play through the centre.

Within a minute Maeda had scored. His pressing was rewarded when Ryan Mullen hesitated on the ball, Maeda charged down the clearance and Celtic were in front.

Tony Ralston scored in first half stoppage time but this Celtic side is fragile.

Mikael Mandron scored in the 51st and 91st minutes, it looked ominous for Celtic in extra time.

Then along came four goals in six minutes and a 74-year-old was able to enjoy himself for three full minutes!