Dunfermline Athletic manager Neil Lennon dedicated his side’s place in the Scottish Cup final to his late father Gerry after the Pars saw off Falkirk at Hampden.
The Championship side came through 4-2 on penalties after a goalless draw with the Bairns. It marked the third time in this run that Dunfermline have knocked out top-flight opposition, and a visibly emotional Lennon dropped to the ground at full time, celebrating with his father firmly in his thoughts.
Lennon’s father passed away last December, and the manager admitted he was thinking about him throughout the game and especially at the final whistle.
“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 spoke about his pride in the way his young squad handled the occasion. Sitting fourth in the Championship, they showed composure and belief to get the job done.
“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.”
There is now the possibility of Lennon facing his former manager Martin O’Neill in the final, should Celtic get past St Mirren in the 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.”
Falkirk manager John McGlynn was left to reflect on missed chances, pointing to a lack of quality in key moments.
“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.”