Iheanacho’s strike helps Celtic procure Scottish Cup, clinch double triumph

Celtic received the Scottish Cup with a 3-1 victory over Dunfermline on Saturday, sealing the double seven days after their dramatic title triumph.

Martin O’Neill’s facet swept correct into a two-aim lead ahead of half of-time attributable to targets from Daizen Maeda and Arne Engels at Hampden Park.

Kelechi Iheanacho struck after the interval to position the result beyond doubt, making Josh Cooper’s slack respond diminutive consolation for out-classed Dunfermline.

It used to be a ninth consecutive procure in all competitions for Celtic, who have timed their most efficient walk of manufacture completely after being galvanised by duration in-between boss O’Neill.

Celtic’s 43rd Scottish Cup success capped a fantastic end to the season for O’Neill.

The 74-365 days-gentle now has 9 major honours as a Celtic supervisor stretching over 26 years.

It used to be Celtic’s 14th top-flight and Scottish Cup double.

O’Neill is in his 2d spell as caretaker boss of the Glasgow club this season and is yet to agree to reach succor next term.

So it used to be fitting that O’Neill’s doubtless farewell came in against Dunfermline boss Neil Lennon, who used to be a key member of O’Neill’s Celtic and Leicester groups earlier in his managerial occupation.

Asked if he is likely to be persuaded to defend, O’Neill acknowledged: “Next week I would possibly perchance fetch to keep up a correspondence to the proprietor. Dermot Desmond introduced me succor within the principle negate, I owe him a huge deal otherwise I wouldn’t be here.

“If the season used to be to start up day after as of late, I couldn’t attain it. Nonetheless the season doesn’t start up day after as of late. The Scottish season does start up mercurial though, and I’m getting gentle.

“What I’ve is a ardour for the sport. I don’t divulge that will ever bound away me, even in my final days. That’s always been me. I’ve a would like to procure.”

Celtic pipped Hearts to the Scottish Premiership title final weekend, coming from within the succor of to procure 3-1 against the Edinburgh club on the final day of the season.

The Hoops wanted slack targets from Maeda and Callum Osmand to attain two parts above Derek McInnes’ facet, who had led the table for months.

Hearts have been inflamed that Celtic had stayed within the title speed with a helping hand from a arguable penalty that clinched a procure at Motherwell of their penultimate sport.

There used to be, on the opposite hand, no want for any contentious drama within the final.

Celtic took the lead within the 19th minute as Alistair Johnston’s ball reached Maeda and he lobbed it over the stranded Aston Oxborough.

They doubled their advantage within the thirty sixth minute when Engels hit a extremely effective strike from 25 yards that left Oxborough flat-footed.

Iheanacho latched on to Benjamin Nygren’s through ball and confirmed gigantic footwork to evade three defenders ahead of slotting residence within the 72nd minute.

Cooper scored on the rebound after Charlie Gilmour’s shot had been blocked within the 79th minute, but Celtic have been by no formulation at risk of surrendering their lead.

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