Martin O'Neill states Celtic are fully focused on the Scottish Cup final against Dunfermline Athletic, despite recent title celebrations. Celtic clinched a fifth straight Scottish Premiership crown after beating Hearts 3-1, overturning a deficit on the final day to secure the trophy and move to a record 56 league titles, one ahead of Rangers.
The Scottish Cup final now offers Celtic a chance to extend another historic mark, as they target a 43rd triumph in the competition. O'Neill believes the squad has reset quickly after the league success and is ready to chase more silverware in what could be O'Neill's final match of his interim spell.
Celtic's journey to Hampden Park has been demanding, with extra time required in the previous two Scottish
Cup rounds. Rangers were defeated on penalties in the quarter-final, while St. Mirren were beaten 6-2 in the semi-final after Celtic scored four times within six first-half extra-time minutes, underlining the team's resilience under pressure.
Dunfermline Athletic, led by Neil Lennon, approach the Scottish Cup final after missing promotion from the Scottish Championship through the play-offs. However, Dunfermline have defeated three Premiership clubs in this cup campaign, eliminating Hibernian and Aberdeen, then overcoming Falkirk on penalties in the semi-final, as they chase a first Scottish Cup since 1967-68 and a third overall.
Both teams have experienced demanding routes to the Scottish Cup final, as shown below.
O'Neill highlights the strength of the Scottish Cup opponents and the need for full focus against Dunfermline. Celtic's interim manager notes that Dunfermline's record against higher-division teams proves their threat, and stresses that Celtic must approach the final with complete commitment, especially following several days of celebration after sealing the Premiership title.
"It would be fantastic if we could do it, O'Neill told CelticTV at Hampden Park ahead of the final. It'll be a big challenge indeed. Dunfermline have already knocked out three Premiership teams along the way, so they deserve to be here. We've got to be right for the game, we've had a great couple of days, and it's been fantastic since Saturday evening. It's been really fantastic, but now it's total concentration on the game, which I believe the players, having come this far, will want to finish it. The players are really up for the game. There's a strong mood in the camp wanting to do it and not let people down, having come this far. The euphoria of last Saturday has definitely hung around for a few days, which you would expect. "
#CELDAFC | #ScottishCupFinal | #CelticFCpic.twitter.com/yzf07uyeKFCeltic Football Club (@CelticFC) May 21, 2026
Scottish Cup final backdrop for Celtic and Dunfermline
The final also carries personal significance for O'Neill, who is 74 and has served Celtic in two interim spells this season. O'Neill faces a familiar opponent in Lennon, with whom there is a long-standing relationship, and the match could act as a fitting conclusion to O'Neill's latest spell in charge, though future plans remain undecided.
"The pleasing thing for me, if I truly reflect on it, is there is still a place in this game for older gentlemen, O'Neill told BBC Scotland. Despite the tactics that are involved now in the game, I do believe someone with some sort of experience can still play a part in proceedings. When I first stepped in way back in October, that was my main concern. Not having managed for some time, there are different ways of playing the game. That was my concern, not about destroying anything I might have done 20-odd years ago, but being too old to be in this game. That is certainly a great sense of pride for me now. "
As Celtic chase a domestic double and Dunfermline look for a first major trophy since the late 1960s, both clubs reach Hampden Park with demanding cup runs behind them and clear motivations. The occasion sets a direct test of Celtic's experience against Dunfermline's momentum, with O'Neill emphasising focus after title celebrations and Lennon targeting a landmark victory.
