Emotional Neil Lennon opens up on late father and prospect of facing Martin O'Neill's Celtic after booking final date

The Championship outfit prevailed 4-2 in a penalty shoot-out following a goalless draw against the Bairns. It was the third time in the competition that Dunfermline have ousted top-flight opposition and an emotional Lennon sank to the turf at full time to celebrate with his father in his thoughts.

Lennon Snr passed away last December and his son revealed that he was in his thoughts throughout the match and at the end.

“I was thinking about my father,” said Lennon. “We lost him in December, he would have loved this so that was for him. He was the biggest influence in my life. Professionally and personally. He’d have loved this. He’d be outside with a cigarette, his fedora and walking stick telling everyone ‘I told you’. He’d have loved it. 

“I’m hoping the family take a bit of solace from this. It’s been difficult but I feel dead calm when I think about him. He’s been a huge loss to me but I feel him sometimes.”

Lennon also exuded pride at how his young team, who sit fourth in the Championship, managed the occasion. “That is as good as it gets,” he continued. “We have beaten Hibs, Aberdeen and now Falkirk so we are in the cup final and there on merit. 

“The players were unbelievable. You couldn’t tell who was the Premiership team out there. There were a lot of nerves which is understandable for a semi final.  The overriding emotion is a huge amount of pride. In the club, in the players, in the support. We have come a long way in a year. 

“My players showed great courage to go up and take the pens. I never did – well, once, against Partick Thistle. The ball bounced four times, Kenny Arthur could have stopped it with his foot!  My legs were like jelly so I’m so full of admiration for my players who took them brilliantly. 

"It's a hell of an achievement for the club - these players have covered themselves in glory all the way through this and now we have one to go.”

He could come up against his former manager Martin O’Neill should Celtic defeat St Mirren in Sunday’s other semi-final. “I’m emotional about it - if it happens,” said Lennon. “That’s not taking anything away from St Mirren who have already won one cup and you’d never write them off. But it cold possibly be Martin’s last game as a manager.

“For me and him to go... I've never done it before. It would be a hell of a story.  He will tell you that he won't talk about it. He's got a lot of work to do. He's still in the league and obviously got Sunday’s semi to come.”

Beaten Falkirk manager John McGlynn lamented his side’s lack of cutting edge. "It was down to a lack of quality in the final third,” he said. “We had enough of the ball, we just didn't produce enough quality. I think game started very nervily and chaotic, players just kicking the ball up in the air. 

“We were the makers of our own downfall, to an extent, with regards to getting caught on the ball. It's frustrating, it's very raw, it's very painful. It was a great opportunity today which we passed up.” 

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