The story of this season's Scottish Cup has been profoundly shaped by sadness and grief. After Dunfermline's semi-final victory over Falkirk at Hampden, manager Neil Lennon spoke candidly about losing his father, Gerry, a few months earlier.
'I was thinking about my father after the penalty shootout,' 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, both professionally and personally. He'd have loved this. He'd be outside with a cigarette, his fedora and a walking stick telling everyone: "I told you."'
In December, the football world also mourned John Robertson, the Nottingham Forest and Scotland icon. Robertson, who won two European Cups with Forest in 1979 and 1980, was a towering figure in the lives of both Lennon and Martin O'Neill, the two managers contesting today's final.
Robertson served as O'Neill's assistant during his first stint as Celtic manager at the turn of the millennium. The pair were teammates at Forest under Brian Clough and remained close friends for nearly 50 years. They also played a key role in signing Lennon for Leicester City in 1996, turning up at his flat in Crewe and refusing to leave until he agreed to a contract.
'Robbo will be in our thoughts on Saturday,' said O'Neill. 'Lenny will tell you that he did a lot for his career. Robbo would be having a fag and saying: "Isn't this extraordinary?" They are naming a stand after him at Nottingham Forest on Sunday. It's fantastic, although I wish they had done it before he died.'
O'Neill reflected on their early days in Nottingham. 'I met John when he was just a boy. We used to go to a boat club along the River Trent. In the early 1970s, one called The Union had a disco on Thursdays. It closed at 11pm, but Robbo was the King of the Union with every single girl. His record was fantastic and mine was appalling! Even at 18, he was revered by senior players. He had two great feet, could ping passes all over the pitch, couldn't head it and could hardly run. If you had said he would become the scourge of European full-backs from the left wing, you'd have got long odds. He was a super player, a footballing genius.'
For the first time in their managerial careers, O'Neill and Lennon will face off at Hampden this afternoon. Dunfermline are huge underdogs, but Lennon has insisted his team will show no fear as they seek a major upset.
Despite their close bond from Leicester and Celtic, personal sentiment will be set aside. 'Hopefully this is not a mutual admiration society, but Neil has been brilliant,' said O'Neill. 'I am up against a man I would have considered an ally, but now my nemesis for a while. He had a big influence over my career, and I am sure he might say the same. Times were difficult at Leicester early on, and he pulled me out of the quagmire. But I have since pulled him out of a number of quagmires. Lennon has been terrific. What a job he has done at Dunfermline. He's a proper leader. I always saw that in him as a player – leadership, a never-say-die attitude, and a very good passer. His record as a player and manager here is up there with anyone's. Dunfermline have knocked out three Premiership sides to get to the final, which is testament to his ability.'
O'Neill also hinted that today's final could be Daizen Maeda's last game for Celtic. The Japanese international attracted strong interest last summer, and more offers are expected. 'If I was around, I wouldn't stop Daizen from going. He deserves it. He has paid his dues at this football club – massively. His last seven weeks have been absolutely Larssonesque. He has been the galvanising drive for us. Daizen started to score goals and grabbed the whole thing. If he could get a chance to play in the Premier League, he would want to. I certainly wouldn't stop him. There will be a queue of clubs wanting him after this recent spell. Kelechi Iheanacho has also become a cult hero. If you can do that over four games, then brilliant. Jimmy Johnstone needed eight years!'
