“We’re getting punished” – Lennon rues fixture placement ahead of Semi-Final

Neil Lennon believes his side’s rescheduled calendar has been “unfair” as his Dunfermline side aim to reach their first Scottish Cup Final since 2007 this weekend. Speaking ahead of their tie with Falkirk, the manager reckons his side have been “punished” for international call-ups. Tuesday’s 2-2 draw with Airdrieonians means The Pars have played four matches across the last fourteen days leading up to the semi-final. “We’re getting punished for players getting picked for Scotland and for getting to the semi-final.” “I’m really annoyed about how many games we’ve had to play leading into this game. It’s been really, I think, unfair.” “The game on Tuesday could have been moved a couple of weeks down the line before the end of the season. So we’ve had to go Saturday, Tuesday, Saturday, Tuesday into this game.” “People might have been complaining about the integrity of our team selection on Tuesday,” Lennon suggested. “Well, it’s not our fault. Our hands were forced into that – and we got the result anyway. “But, if other clubs were upset about my team selection, they should take it up elsewhere. We did ask a couple of times if other games could be moved, and it was a big flat ‘no’.” Lennon won the Scottish Cup four times as a Celtic player, and having picked off Hibernian and Aberdeen earlier in the competition, the Pars manager is no stranger to upsetting Premiership opposition. We’ve played very well to get here, so we want to make the most of it.” “I’ve told the players that nobody remembers the semi-finals, so let’s try and make that next step. “It would just be another accomplishment for me. I’ve had a good career. I’ve faced up to a lot of challenges and overcome them. This would be up there with any of them – I’m really excited about it.” Lennon praised his opposing manager, John McGlynn, and believes his success with Falkirk should put the Scottish Champions, Celtic, on notice in their search for a new manager. “I think he should be in the conversation for the next Celtic manager as well. “Whether that would appeal to John, I don’t know, and I don’t want to throw him under the bus. I apologise to the Falkirk people as well, but that’s how I rate John. “I don’t think I’ve ever come up against him in a competitive game. He’s in the way on Saturday, so we’ll just have to go at it as best we can. “I’ve got such admiration and respect for what he’s achieved, not just at Falkirk but throughout his career.”

Martin Boyle on Aberdeen’s radar with the forward set to depart Hibs

Aberdeen born, Martin Boyle could be on his way to Pittodrie as his spell in Leith is set to come to an end. Aberdeen appear to be keen on the Hibs attacker who is set to depart as Stephen Robinson looks ahead to his first window as Aberdeen boss. Boyle confirmed he will be departing the Easter Road side with Aberdeen hoping to capture the Australian International for next season after many failed attempts in previous years to take in Boyle. Aberdeen have begun to shortlist potential signings but won’t go any further until they confirm they will be playing premiership football next campaign. Boyle has had many other options to consider with clubs from England also showing interest as well as many other teams from both Australia and Asia but a potential move back to where he grew up could be on the cards as Robinson looks to opt for experience. Martin Boyle has had a couple spells with Scottish clubs starting with Montrose which saw him join Dundee after some impressive form at Links Park. Boyle made 65 appearances with the Dens Park outfit, netting 5 goals where he went on to join Hibs, spending 12 years in Edinburgh being a star player for the Leith side which also included a short spell in Saudi Arabia with Al-Faisaly in 2021. Aberdeen are also set to loose many other players with Liam Morrison set to return to QPR, Geiger set to return to Hoffenheim, Cameron set to go back to Rangers after all their loan spells as well as their captain Shinnie who is out-of-contract come end of the season with Findlay Marshall who has impressed highly on-loan at Arbroath signing a new deal keeping him at Pittodrie until 2028. Elvis Bwomono is also set to depart with his short-term deal coming to an end as well as Tom McIntrye with Toyosi Olusanya returning to Houston following his loan spell.

“Uncharacteristic” Falkirk turn their focus to Hampden as John McGlynn brands Rangers’ thrashing as a “kick up the backside”

After taking a commanding 2-0 lead into halftime, McGlynn’s men fell apart in the following forty-five, conceding six in what was a ruthless second-half performance from Danny Rohl’s title-chasing Rangers. In what was their final game before heading to Hampden to face Dunfermline Athletic in the Scottish Cup semi-final, the bairns surrendered a two-nil lead in the second half, ultimately losing 6-3 to Rangers. “It could be the best thing that ever could have happened, it could be the kick up the backside that happens today rather than next week”, were the words of Falkirk manager John McGlynn after Sunday’s defeat. The Bairns are just two wins away from Scottish Cup glory as they face Neil Lennon’s Dunfermline Athletic this Saturday, but a repeat of that performance against Rangers will all but end any dreams of progressing to the final. The Pars, who currently sit third in the Scottish Championship, are no strangers when it comes to defeating Scottish Premiership opposition in this season’s Scottish Cup. Neil Lennon’s men have defeated both Hibernian and Aberdeen on their journey to the semi-finals. “Dunfermline are more than capable of beating Premiership opposition. So we are under no illusions, and the message will be getting hammered in this week” In what was an uncanny performance against Rangers, more so in the second half, John McGlynn will know that his side are more than capable of reaching the final. But McGlynn will be sure not to let his players underestimate their semi-final opponents. The Bairns have had a stellar season so far, and a win on Saturday would be monumental for the town of Falkirk. Falkirk and Dunfermline face off at Hampden Park in the first semi-final of the weekend this coming Saturday, a repeat of the 2008/09 semi-final, in which Falkirk came out 2-0 victors. Whoever is victorious on Saturday will face the winner of the other semi-final matchup between Celtic and St Mirren in the final, which takes place on the 23rd of May. Scottish Cup Semi-final fixture times: Dunfermline Athletic v Falkirk (18th April 12:30 pm) Celtic v Saint Mirren (19th April 2:00 pm) Both games will be shown live on Premier Sports 1 and BBC One Scotland. Will Falkirk learn from their mistakes against Rangers, or will the Pars cause another cup upset and reach their first Scottish Cup final in nearly twenty years? Check out SNN Sports’ latest podcast featuring Falkirk striker Brian Graham ahead of their Semi-final at Hampden, available on YouTube and Spotify.  YouTube link below: 💬 Have Your Say What do you think? Let us know in the comments or on social media @SNNsports.

Scottish Premiership Team Of The Year 2026 – With five Motherwell and four Hearts players included

The Steelmen and Jambo’s dominate this year’s Premiership TOTY, with five players from Motherwell, four from Hearts and one from each of the Old Firm included. The team selected is as the following: Calum Ward (Motherwell) Paul McGinn (Motherwell) Craig Halkett (Hearts) Emmanuel Fernandez (Rangers) Harry Milne (Hearts) Benjamin Nygren (Celtic) Elliot Watt (Motherwell) Elijah Just (Motherwell) Tawanda Maswanhise (Motherwell) Lawrence Shankland (Hearts) Claudio Braga (Hearts) Five massive fixtures to go in the league, will these players selected make a difference to the standings come the end of the season?

Dunfermline v Falkirk – Match Preview

A place in the Scottish Cup final awaits either Dunfermline or Falkirk, with both sides aiming to take a big step into lifting silverware come the end of the season. Dunfermline’s Scottish Cup run has been simply remarkable, with difficult ties against Hibs and Aberdeen. However, The Pars dispatched both Premiership sides, Aberdeen’s being with ease. Neil Lennon’s side currently sit in third position in the Scottish Championship and may well play top-flight football for the first time since 2012 if they can earn a spot and battle through the play-off’s. For Dunfermline, they haven’t won the Scottish Cup since 1968, that victory came against Hearts. Where Pat Gardner was the hero on the day scoring a brace to secure The Pars silverware. For Falkirk, they have earned a place in the top six of the Premiership after an incredible first season back in the top-flight. The Bairns knocked out league leaders Hearts on the road to Hampden and have also met rivals Stenhousemuir and Dundee United along the way to the semi-finals. Falkirk’s last delight in the Scottish Cup came in 1957. However, they have also suffered heartbreak on three final occasions. Falkirk and John McGlynn will know that tomorrow presents a fantastic opportunity to put themselves in a great position to lift silverware at the end of the season. Dunfermline know their journey this season still has a lot to offer and will be looking to knock-out another top-flight team. The winners of the tie will face either Celtic or St Mirren which will be decided on Sunday.