James Forrest’s veteran influence powers Celtic to Scottish Cup final in 2026

Celtic advanced to the Scottish Cup final after James Forrest’s late influence turned a 2-2 draw against St Mirren into a 6-2 victory.

Forrest’s golden touch at Hampden James Forrest, now 35 but still performing at the highest level, stepped onto the Hampden pitch laden with trophies from one of Celtic’s most celebrated careers. His presence alone carried weight, but his impact on Sunday’s wild Scottish Cup semi-final proved decisive. What followed was a breathtaking display of football that saw Celtic dismantle St Mirren in rapid fashion, though not before the underdogs briefly threatened to rewrite the script. ## Celtic’s near-collapse and dramatic turnaround Celtic found themselves in deep trouble as St Mirren clawed back a 2-0 deficit to level the match at 2-2, leaving the favorites reeling and stunned. The pressure mounted as the Paisley side pushed forward with relentless energy, forcing Celtic onto the back foot. It was only when Forrest seized control of the game that the tide began to shift in a spectacular fashion. ## The cross that unlocked the floodgates The moment that changed everything came when Forrest delivered a perfectly placed cross that saw Kelechi Iheanacho nod in Celtic’s third goal, though the assist was entirely Forrest’s creation. His vision, speed, and precision allowed him to evade defenders and find space on the right flank before curling the ball toward goal. St Mirren’s defense crumbled under the weight of his creativity, and suddenly, the floodgates opened. ## St Mirren’s gallant resistance and young heroics St Mirren began the match strongly, with Daizen Maeda’s opportunistic strike after Ryan Mullen’s hesitant clearance giving Celtic an early lead. Mullen’s injury midway through the first half forced the introduction of 17-year-old Grant Tamosevicius, making his senior debut under immense pressure. The young goalkeeper held firm initially, but Mikael Mandron’s two goals restored parity and left Celtic staring down the barrel of an embarrassing upset. ## Forrest’s leadership lifts exhausted team Forrest’s influence extended far beyond his assist as he injected urgency and aggression into a Celtic side that had grown passive. While teammates labored, Forrest carried the tempo, driving forward with relentless purpose to drag his side through a grueling contest. His presence alone seemed to lift spirits and erase doubt, transforming a shaky performance into a dominant display. Celtic’s late surge saw them score three goals in three minutes, leaving St Mirren shell-shocked. ## Forrest remains Celtic’s trusted constant Despite his advancing years, Forrest continues to start matches sporadically, playing seven times this season and 11 the year before, with numbers dropping further back. His longevity is partly due to injuries suffered by others, but also because the club’s attempts to replace him with high-profile wingers have yielded mixed results. Names like Sebastian Tounekti and Michel-Ange Balikwisha arrived with promise but failed to consistently deliver, while others—Marian Shved, Luis Palma, Marco Tilio, Nicolas Kuhn, Liel Abada—either underperformed or vanished entirely. Yet Forrest remains the unshaken pillar, the enduring figure who refuses to fade. ## O’Neill vs. Lennon: the final chapter The Scottish Cup final on 23 May will feature a blockbuster clash between Martin O’Neill and Neil Lennon, two icons whose intertwined careers now collide as rivals. O’Neill, likely managing Celtic for the final time, faces his former captain, the player he developed and led during a golden era. The narrative is poetic: the mentor turned adversary in what promises to be a dramatic finale. Scottish football’s unpredictability ensures no story here could ever feel manufactured. ## Celtic’s ruthless finish and Iheanacho’s impact Celtic’s late burst of goals showcased a ruthlessness not always seen this season, raising hopes of a potential double if such efficiency continues. Kelechi Iheanacho’s two goals were crucial, arriving at precisely the right moments to shift momentum and secure the win. While winger Maeda’s tireless runs have been valuable, Celtic clearly lack a traditional center-forward at this stage of the campaign. O’Neill now faces a crucial decision on how to bolster his attack before the run-in. ## A historic final awaits at Hampden The post-match scene saw O’Neill and Lennon sharing a television gantry, exchanging smiles and banter in a rare moment of levity. Yet when they next meet, the stakes will be higher and the mood far more intense. Dunfermline Athletic may be underdogs, but Lennon’s side has already overcome Hibs, Aberdeen, and Falkirk without conceding a goal, proving they are no easy opponent. For Celtic, the path to glory runs through a clash of titans and a chance to cap a chaotic season with silverware.