Gallagher Lennon's Celtic heritage can help him slay Rangers as family 'coincidence' not lost on Dumbarton boss

Neil Lennon's son is in line to face Rangers after joining Dumbarton just in time for their glamour Scottish Cup showdown.

And Sons boss Stevie Farrell has insisted he has no qualms about throwing young Gallagher Lennon in for a sensational debut against Philippe Clement’s side. The 18-year-old defender – who is also a Northern Ireland youth star – has signed for the League Two side on loan from St Mirren.

And Farrell is delighted he’s arrived in time for a debut against his father’s great rivals at the Dumbarton Stadium on Saturday night. Farrell explained: “It probably looks a bit coincidental in terms of the timing, his surname and the team we play on Saturday. But we have been working on the deal for about 10 days and that was us just getting it over the line. I am glad to get him in.

“He has been brought up with all this in his family so I don’t think it will be anything that will faze the lad. He is on his own journey now. It is a journey that will hopefully take him to the very top of the game If he does that then he will need to play in these types of games. It is all part of his learning.”

Young Lennon had been on-loan at Linlithgow Rose and this is now a step up. Farrell added: “He was at Linlithgow and did very well and it is about natural progression with these loans. St Mirren want to see him step up to League Two and we are involved in a promotion push and Gallagher will be involved in that.”

Many of Clement’s players may be in for a culture shock running out at The Rock. But Farrell says they won’t be left in the lurch – until kick-off that is.

He said: “The hospitality here will be exactly the same as any other football club, whether it’s East Fife or Rangers. The reality is this club are a very good