Celtic won the Scottish Cup final 3-1 against Dunfermline to complete a domestic double. Daizen Maeda and Arne Engels scored in a dominant first half, putting Celtic in control. After halftime, Celtic faced a brief comeback as Kelechi Iheanacho scored in the 73rd minute, and Josh Cooper pulled one back six minutes later. The result marked Celtic’s ninth consecutive win and followed a strong run of form after Martin O’Neill’s return. Maeda’s scoring surge and Iheanacho’s impact off the bench were key during the run-in, helping Celtic finish ahead of Hearts for the title. O’Neill’s selection of James Forrest contributed to Celtic’s momentum, and the win delivered Celtic’s 43rd Scottish Cup success.
"Martin O'Neill guided Celtic to the double as the Scottish champions beat Dunfermline 3-1 in the Scottish Cup final. Daizen Maeda and Arne Engels netted in a one-sided first half before Neil Lennon's team made a game of it after the interval. Substitute Kelechi Iheanacho appeared to put the game beyond the William Hill Championship side in the 73rd minute before Josh Cooper pulled one back six minutes later."
"It was a ninth consecutive win for Celtic, who have timed their best run of form perfectly after being galvanised by O'Neill for the second time this season. The 74-year-old now has nine major honours as a Celtic manager stretching over 26 years and, if it is his final game in management, it was a fitting end as he capped a triumphant return to Glasgow against his former Leicester and Hoops midfielder Lennon."
"The goalscoring form of Maeda and Iheanacho has been crucial in the run-in as Celtic pipped Hearts to the title in the closing stages and claimed their 43rd Scottish Cup success. Maeda has produced nine goals in seven matches, more than he managed in the first eight months of the campaign, and Iheanacho has netted six goals in nine matches off the bench, including the late winner at Dundee that kick-started their run of victories."
"Lennon's tactics appeared to be balls over the top for Callumn Morrison and the forward almost benefited from some hesitation in the Celtic defence as Alistair Johnston tried to shepherd a long ball back to goalkeeper Viljami Sinisalo. Morrison got his foot in and stabbed the ball towards goal only for Liam Scales to race back and clear off the line. It was Celtic who took the lead from a long pass in the 19th minute. Tod failed to cut out Alistair Johnston's ball and Maeda lobbed it over the stranded Aston Oxborough."
Read at Irish Independent
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