HAMPDEN LOWDOWN
SCOTTISH CUP FINAL: TODAY 3pm KICK-OFF LIVE ON SKY SPORTS 1 & 5 / BBC1 SCOTLAND
KEY BATTLES...
SCOTT SINCLAIR v SHAY LOGAN Celtic’s multi-Player of the Year winner represents the biggest of many threats to Aberdeen. But Dons right-back Logan is no slouch either. PATRICK ROBERTS v ANDREW CONSIDINE Arguably the form player in Scotland right now, Roberts electing to miss the Under-20 World Cup with England to play in the final is a huge boost for Celtic’s Treble dreams. Considine faces a testing afternoon. MIKAEL LUSTIG v JONNY HAYES The Swedish right-back is an often unsung hero of this rampant Celtic side. How he fares against Hayes — Aberdeen’s best player — will have a huge role in deciding this game — and if Celtic win the Treble.
LEWIS TO OUTLAST LEIGHTON
÷Joe Lewis will be hoping to fare better than the last Aberdeen goalkeeper in a Scottish Cup final. Jim Leighton was stretchered off after just four minutes in 2000 and striker Robbie Winters went in goal for the Dons as Rangers won 4-0. The rule on the number of substitutes allowed on the bench was raised from three to five the following season.
McLEISH LOSES EITHER WAY
÷Alex McLeish stands to lose one claim to fame today. He is the last manager to steer a Scottish club to a domestic Treble when Rangers swept the board in 2002-03. He is also the last captain of Aberdeen to lift the Scottish Cup, in 1990 after a 9-8 penalty kick shoot-out win over Celtic. That was the first time ever a Scottish Cup final had been decided on penalties.
BHOYS BID TO MAKE HISTORY
÷Celtic have won more Scottish Cups than any other team in the country and are hoping to land their 37th today. But the Parkhead club have not lifted the trophy since beating Hibs 3-0 in 2013.
DONS DON’T WANT TREBLE
÷Celtic are trying to win the domestic Treble for the fourth time after completing the feat in 1966-67 and 1968-69 under Jock Stein, and 2000-01 with Martin O’Neill. Aberdeen are seeking to avoid finishing runners-up to Celtic in all three main domestic competitions.