Celtic and Dunfermline contest Saturday’s Scottish Cup final with both teams aiming to cap a remarkable season. Dunfermline seek to end a 58-year wait for the trophy and pursue a fourth top-flight scalp, guided by former Celtic player and manager Neil Lennon. Celtic aim for an unlikely double after winning the Premiership under Martin O’Neill, with O’Neill taking interim charge twice following departures of Brendan Rodgers and Wilfried Nancy. Celtic reached Hampden through late and dramatic wins, including a 97th-minute equaliser against Dundee, penalty success versus Rangers, and a semi-final surge after extra-time drama. Dunfermline advanced with wins over lower-tier and top-flight opponents, including victories featuring decisive goals and an own goal against Hibernian.
"Championship Dunfermline are trying to end a 58-year wait to lift this trophy, while also claiming a fourth top-flight scalp along the way under former Celtic player and manager Neil Lennon. Meanwhile, Celtic are aiming for an unlikely double in a season of ups and downs after Martin O'Neill masterminded yet another Scottish Premiership title last weekend."
"Celtic started this campaign with a 2-0 win over sixth-tier Auchinleck Talbot, thanks to goals from Johnny Kenny and Sebastian Tounekti. They were then drawn against Dundee in the fifth round and were moments away from elimination after Ethan Hamilton's superb strike gave the visitors the lead. However, Junior Adamu scored a 97th-minute equaliser on his debut to force extra time before Tounekti won it."
"Celtic were again made to dig deep in the quarter-final as they needed penalties to beat rivals Rangers at Ibrox. O'Neill's side had just one shot in 120 minutes, but won the shootout 4-2 to make it to Hampden. And there was more drama in the semi-final as St Mirren's Mikael Mandron made it 2-2 late on to take it to extra time."
"Dunfermline meanwhile started with a 2-1 win over Queen of the South thanks to a Chris Kane double. They then secured the first of three victories against top-flight opposition as an own-goal from Hibernian midfielder Miguel Chaiwa proved the difference. Kelty Hearts were dispatched 2-0 in the fifth round, before Matty Todd's early strike and a double from Olly Thomas earned a superb 3-0 win over Aberdeen."
Read at www.bbc.com
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