Celtic completed a domestic double after defeating Dunfermline 3-1 in the Scottish Cup final on Saturday, May 23, just a week after clinching the league title in dramatic fashion.
Martin O’Neill’s side took control of the contest at Hampden Park with first-half goals from Daizen Maeda and Arne Engels. Kelechi Iheanacho added a third after the break to put the outcome beyond doubt, while Josh Cooper scored a late consolation for Dunfermline.
The victory marked Celtic’s ninth straight win in all competitions and capped a remarkable finish to the season under interim manager O’Neill. The triumph also secured the club’s 43rd Scottish Cup title and their 14th league and cup double.
At 74, O’Neill has now won nine major trophies as Celtic manager across two spells spanning 26 years. Despite his recent success, the veteran coach is yet to confirm whether he will remain at the club next season.
Fittingly, O’Neill’s possible farewell came against Dunfermline manager Neil Lennon, who previously played under him at both Celtic and Leicester City.
Celtic had sealed the Scottish Premiership title the previous weekend after coming from behind to beat Hearts 3-1 on the final day, finishing two points ahead of Derek McInnes’ side.
Unlike the tense title race, the cup final was more straightforward for Celtic. The opening goal arrived in the 19th minute when Alistair Johnston found Maeda, who calmly lobbed the ball over goalkeeper Aston Oxborough.
Engels doubled the lead in the 36th minute with a powerful long-range effort that left Oxborough rooted to the spot.
Iheanacho made it 3-0 in the 72nd minute after collecting Benjamin Nygren’s through pass and weaving past three defenders before finishing neatly.
Dunfermline pulled one back seven minutes later through Cooper, who converted the rebound after Charlie Gilmour’s effort was blocked, but Celtic comfortably held on to secure the trophy.
