Martin O’Neill embarked on his managerial journey with Grantham Town back in 1987, and since then, he has coached countless footballers, many of whom he might not even recall.

Among all the players O’Neill has managed, Neil Lennon stands out as someone whose career has been closely linked with O’Neill’s journey through football.

As they prepare to face off as opposing managers in the upcoming Scottish Cup final, which is likely to mark O’Neill’s final match in charge, there’s an inevitable sense of destiny in their meeting, despite any underlying awkwardness.

Their decision to work together in the past proved to be a pivotal moment, significantly impacting both their careers in the sport.

O’Neill transformed Leicester City at Filbert Street after a challenging start, leading them to glorious achievements. Under his leadership, the Foxes secured promotion through the play-offs, clinched two League Cup titles, and consistently exceeded expectations in the league.

O’Neill and Lennon embrace after Celtic draw with Barcelona at the Nou Camp in 2004 

During his playing days at Nottingham Forest under Brian Clough, O’Neill rarely received much praise. In contrast, Lennon has always been the recipient of considerable acclaim throughout his career.

‘He’s had a major impact for me down the years. Really, a major impact,’ O’Neill recalled. ‘His input and contribution at Leicester City alone was immense, absolutely immense.

‘We got him at a time when I was in at the football club and couldn’t win a game to save my life. So, Lennon comes. He could actually have gone to Coventry, who were in the Premier League at the time under Ron Atkinson. But he comes to us, for less money, and that was a big, big boost for us. In the play-off final against Crystal Palace, he was incredible.

‘Sometimes I go and have a look and he was genuinely incredible. Considering you think, as he’s a little stout fellow, he might not be able to run. But he could cover the distances and he was great.

‘Then we went up and he played a major part in us winning the trophies and staying in the top ten for four years.

‘So, I then take him to Celtic. The first game he plays is against Dundee and I remember there was a report in one of the papers about a little rotund fella who couldn’t play. But he’s had some impact on the club since then as a player and as a manager.’

Lennon could play, all right. O’Neill also admired his winning mentality and the way he thought deeply about the game. A career in management seemed a natural choice for his former captain once the playing days were over.

With Lennon thrown in at the deep end at Celtic when Tony Mowbray was sacked, the veteran acted as a sounding board.

‘Yes, we kept in touch,’ he revealed. ‘But if I was giving out any advice, it would have been “just be you”. Be yourself, that’s what I would have told him.

‘You don’t copy people. You can learn from people, but you don’t copy anyone.

‘When I went into management, obviously I had a genius of a manager in Brian Clough. But you don’t try and imitate him. Don’t do it, just be you.

O’Neill first linked up with Lennon when he signed the midfielder for Leicester City in 1996

‘With Lennon, I don’t even think I would have had to give him that advice. Of course, when you’re looking around when results aren’t going so great then maybe you’d listen to a friendly voice or something like that. I don’t actually remember calling him too often. But there was no need to, I don’t think.’

Lennon was ready. He won three titles and two Scottish Cups in his first stint at Parkhead before taking Hibs back to the Premiership and into Europe.

He returned to Celtic in 2019 following Brendan Rodgers’ sharp exit, winning two more titles, two Scottish Cups and a League Cup.

O’Neill feels it’s remarkable that such a vast trophy haul is overlooked by those who seemingly want to hold Lennon personally responsible for the unprecedented events of his final season in charge.

‘Look at his career. It’s incredible,’ he stated. ‘He took a lot of criticism and I don’t think it was really deserved.

‘Celtic were trying to go for ten-in-a-row and there was Covid. From a distance, I felt Covid suited Rangers rather than Celtic at the time, but that’s beside the point.

‘When everything settles down, Lenny’s record both as a player and as a manager is incredible.’

Lennon did well in a short spell with Omonia Nicosia by winning the Cypriot Cup but took a wrong turn by accepting a gig with Rapid Bucharest which proved to be short-lived.

A return to the front line with Championship side Dunfermline a year ago raised eyebrows, but it’s envious glances the Fifers are now getting as they push for promotion and the Scottish Cup on his watch.

Given his former captain’s CV, O’Neill admits he’s surprised that no side from a higher division came calling.

‘The short answer to that is yes,’ he said. ‘That’s not to say he’s not enjoying it at Dunfermline. I think he gets on really well with the chairman and the owner of the football club. And that says something for him.

The two enjoy a joke after Celtic’s Scottish Cup semi-final win over St Mirren at the weekend

‘Having knocked out sides like Hibs and Aberdeen before knocking out Falkirk. It’s brilliant.

‘He just loves football and he loves managing. More than I did.’

Amid a surfeit of brilliant stories throughout the Scottish game this season, a first and presumably last meeting between the pair as managers on May 23 may just top the lot.

O’Neill will hope to still be in contention for a double that day with which to sign off in style.

For his part, Lennon will believe his youthful side may also have a play-off final to look forward to at that stage.

Come what may, he’ll have a chance to etch his name alongside Jock Stein and George Farm as cup-winning Dunfermline managers.

‘I don’t want him to win it, let me put it that way,’ O’Neill smiled. ‘I want to beat him.

‘I don’t care whether he’s my brother. I want to win. Listen, if I don’t allow my granddaughter to win at Ludo then I’m not going to let Neil Lennon win a cup final.’