Key Takeaways
- Celtic beat St Mirren 6-2 after extra-time to reach the Scottish Cup final.
- Kelechi Iheanacho scored twice in extra-time to seal the win.
- Celtic will face Dunfermline, managed by Neil Lennon, in next month’s final.
Celtic are through to the Scottish Cup final after a dramatic 6-2 win over St Mirren at Hampden Park. The match ended level after 90 minutes, but the Hoops scored four goals in extra-time to crush the Paisley side.
The game began badly for St Mirren. Stand-in keeper Ryan Mullen, replacing the injured Shamal George, gifted Celtic the lead in the first minute. His poor clearance struck Daizen Maeda and rolled into the net. Mullen was later forced off with an injury, making way for 17-year-old debutant Grant Tamosevicius.
Just before half-time, Anthony Ralston doubled Celtic’s lead with a curling shot that hit the bar before going in. St Mirren fought back in the second half, with Mikael Mandron scoring twice — first with a header, then with a low finish in the 90th minute to force extra-time.
But Celtic took control in extra-time. Kelechi Iheanacho headed in to restore the lead, followed by goals from Luke Cowan, Iheanacho again, and Benjamin Nygren in a six-minute blitz that ended the contest.
Celtic will now face Dunfermline Athletic in the final. The Championship side, managed by former Celtic captain Neil Lennon, reached their first final in 19 years after beating Falkirk on penalties. Lennon dedicated the win to his late father, who passed away in December.