A Derby Date of Double Destiny

A Derby Date of Double Destiny
~~~~~~~~~~ Official TC Match Preview ~~~~~~~~~~


Celtic will be looking to add the Scottish Cup to the League title that was secured last week


Hampden Park, Glasgow
Saturday, 25 May 2024
15.00 BST

The Hoops go into this weekend looking to cap off the 2023/24 campaign on the trail of a Double, when they take on their city rivals in the Final of the Scottish Cup.

The Bhoys come into this game on an undefeated run that extends back since early March, which has seen the team go from strength to strength. It is no surprise however, that this has coincided when Brendan Rodgers has finally been able to field his strongest XI, in addition to having the benefit of a full squad to choose from.

The Hoops are also undefeated across all four clashes between these clubs, including winning three - the most recent being a 2-1 win earlier this month, which effectively decided the League title race for Celtic, with just two games left.

And while it has taken until recently to get there, the Bhoys are now in perhaps the best run of form of the season, but there can be no resting on laurels yet however, with this one last hurdle that need to be prepared for.

This will be the first Scottish Cup Final derby meeting since Sevco's emergence in 2012, and both teams will be determined, not just to lay claim of the final piece of silverware up for grabs for 2023/24, but to gain a psychological edge ahead of the summer.

The statement of having won a Double is always a powerful one which extends beyond merely the feelgood factor (although that cannot be under appreciated), and while Celtic will be looking to add the Scottish Cup to their Premiership crown.

It cannot be forgotten however, the Hoops are up against a side who are chasing a Cup Double of their own, after the Govan club lifted the League Cup back in December and are looking for their 2nd Scottish Cup in 3 years.

And while Celtic have gone through the League campaign undefeated against the Ipox club, in a one-off Cup game anything can happen. The last time these sides met, Sevco were reduced to 10 men for half of the game. Prior to that, Celtic twice threw away winning positions, before settling for a share of the spoils. Yes, there is a 'what if' to contemplate, but in a one off Cup game it has to be said.

As such, the Bhoys cannot afford any complacency or allow thoughts for the summer or the Euros yet. There is still work to be done, and cannot afford to be any anything other than at their best if they are to ensure the Scottish Cup is Paradise bound, once again.​

Kyogo has scored 7 goals in the past 9 appearances against Sevco including this one in December

If You Know the History

This season marks the 150th Anniversary of the first ever Scottish Cup, and while the English FA Cup competition does predate the Scottish equivelent, there is no debate regarding the oldest prize in the game, with the same trophy first presented in 1874 still standing the test of time to this day.

Success in the Scottish Cup has long gone hand in hand with magic moments and golden memories. It is a storied history; rich and textured that weaves throughout the club's narriative, virtually since the very beginning.

No club has won the Cup more, no player has won the Scottish Cup more than Lisbon Lion, Bobby Lennox (8), or scored more Scottish Cup goals than the great Jimmy McGrory (77) and noone has scored more in Scottish Cup Finals than the legendary Jimmy Quinn (8). A legacy that goes on and on.

It has been the stage upon which so many iconic moments have been etched into the fabric of Celtic.

The mere fact that every goal in professional football has a net on the goal posts of every game all around the world is part of that even! Talk anbout legacy!

From Sandy McMahon's hatrick heroics that won the Cup for Celtic for the first time in 1892 and Patsy Gallagher's 'sommersault goal' in 1925, to Billy McNeill's powerful header that marked the start of the Stein era or Frank McAvennie clinching the Centenary Double in 1988, all are part of that legacy.

Even in more recent times, as the 2004 Cup Final signalled the triumphant but emotional competitive goodbye for Henrik Larsson, as much as a new beginning with Tom Rogic's last minute miracle to secure the Invincible treble in 2017 set the benchmark for the current era of dominance.

It hasn't always been pretty. There have been the ugly, such as running battles on the pitch in 1909 and in 1980, there has been the cathartic, such as Paul McStay lifting the Cup in 1995 being the first embers of an era of change, and there has been the unlikely, such as Jean-Joel Perrier-Doumbe cast as Cup hero in 2007.

All of it adds to what Celtic has always been about, and that is no different this weekend, when the Hoops look to make their mark and write a new chapter, as they seek to secure back to back Scottish Cups, which would make it a 6th such triumph in 8 years, and a 42nd overall.



James Forrest inspired the Hoops during the Scottish Cup Semi-Final against Aberdeen



How They Got Here

Celtic's Scottish Cup defence began back in January immediately following the Winter Break, when they comfortably saw off the challenge of Highland League outfit, Buckie Thistle (5-0). Since then they have come up against Premiership opponants in each subsequent round, seeing off St Mirren (2-0) and Livingston (4-2), before finally getting past Aberdeen in a dramatic Semi-Final, requiring penalties to progress after a 3-3 draw.

As for Sevco, they had a 4-1 win over League Two side, Dumbarton, followed by 2-0 wins against Championship side Ayr United, before both of the big Edinburgh clubs, first Hibernian in the Quarter-Finals and then Hearts in the Semi.



By the Numbers​

• Celtic are chasing a 6th Scottish Cup in 8 years and a 42nd triumph overall.

• The Hoops have also won on each of the past 10 occasions when they have reached the Final.

• Should the Bhoys win, it will be a 20th League and Scottish Cup Double in the club's history.

• Brendan Rodgers has never lost a game at Hampden Park, in addition to his very impressive record against Sevco, winning 13 of 17 encounters in total. (P17 W13 D3 L1)

Joe Hart will be looking to cap off a highly successful career with one last winner's medal

Team News

Brendan Rodgers once again appears to have close to a full squad to choose from ahead of this clash, with Stephen Welsh (shoulder) the only doubt, but the defender has reportedly already resumed light training and could be available, if required.

There will almost certainly be changes to the starting XI from the side that took to the pitch against St Mirren last weekend though, with defenders Cameron Carter-Vickers, Liam Scales and Alistair Johnston all likely to return, while the manager will also have to make a decision regarding who will start on the wings, and it must also be mentioned that goalkeeper Joe Hart will be playing his last ever game ahead of his professional retirement, and will be desperate to go out a winner.

As for Philippe Clement's side, John Soouttar, Borna Barasic, Leon Balogun, Connor Goldson, Danilo, Oscar Cortes and Rabbi Motondo all have a question mark over them, while Abdallah Sima has reportedly recovered from injury and Ryan Jack will be keen to prove his fitness ahead of the Euros.

Referee: Nick Walsh

This will be Walsh's 4th time officiating a game between these two rivals, with the Hoops having won the last three - including the 2-1 win at Parkhead just before the new year, and has previously referee'd Celtic 4 times this season.

This is the 2nd Scottish Cup Final that Walsh has been appointed to, havung previously handled the 2021 edition, between St Johnstone & Hibernian.

Overall Record
M:33 W:28 D:4 L:1

VAR: John Beaton



~~~~ Head to Head ~~~~

Overall
P: 40 W:23 D:7 L:10​

Last 5 Meetings
W D W W L

~~~~ 2022/23 Form ~~~~

All Comps
W W W W W ~ D W L W W​