Leading Dunfermline Athletic to final ‘up there with anything’ for Neil Lennon

Dunfermline were unbeaten in eight games before Lennon juggled his squad in anticipation of the final – they lost to Partick Thistle last weekend and drew with Airdrieonians in midweek.

“We’ve beaten Hibs, Aberdeen and Falkirk and we deserve to be there,” he said. “These players have covered themselves in glory all the way through this and now we have one to go.

“Our mentality today was fantastic and our fitness levels were amazing as well.”

Lennon insisted he had “felt calm” all day but wondered if they might lose the game to a stroke of misfortune.

“I was thinking of my father,” he said when asked what he was in his mind during the shootout. “I’ve lost him, so I was thinking of him.”

Dunfermline have no time to enjoy their celebrations, hosting Championship leaders St Johnstone as they look to beat Arbroath to third spot.

“I haven’t told them yet,” Lennon said. “They are in again tomorrow as we have another big game on Tuesday.

“I don’t want to get too far ahead of myself. The one thing about this lot is that they can fall off the cliff very quickly.

“They are young and inconsistent, but they are talented and, when they put it together, they are a match for anybody.

“It’s so exciting. What it will do for them and what it will do for the city I am lost for words.

“I am really enjoying what I’m doing and this is the icing on the cake.”