League Cup final preview

Aberdeen and Inverness Caledonian Thistle meet in the Scottish League Cup final at Celtic Park this afternoon, kick-off 2.30pm.

The Dons are looking to end a 19-year wait for a trophy while Inverness CT are aiming to lift their first major piece of silverware as they prepare to celebrate 20 years as a league club.

Road to the final: Aberdeen beat Alloa on penalties after a 0-0 draw in round two then thrashed Falkirk 5-0. They won 2-0 at Motherwell in the quarter-final and defeated St Johnstone 4-0 in the semi-final at Tynecastle.

Inverness Caley Thistle received a bye into round three, where they won 1-0 at Dundee. They then knocked out Dundee United 2-1 after extra time in the quarter-final and beat Hearts on penalties after a 2-2 draw in the Easter Road semi-final.

Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes: "We are going to have to earn the right to win it, just as we have earned the right to be in a semi-final of the Scottish Cup and earned the right to be second in the league."

Inverness CT manager John Hughes: "I can only pass on my experience, being there as a player and a manager - play the game, don't get caught up in the occasion, control your emotions and don't leave anything on the pitch. If we do that, hopefully we will bring the cup back to Inverness.”

Previous wins: Aberdeen have won the trophy five times - 1955/56, 1976/77, 1985/86 1989/90 and 1995/56. Inverness CT are appearing in their first final.

This season: Aberdeen 1-0 Inverness CT, Inverness CT 3-4 Aberdeen, Aberdeen 0-1 Inverness CT

Team news: Inverness CT are missing defender Gary Warren, who is suspended after being sent off in the semi-final. Aberdeen are still without Clark Robertson but Peter Pawlett is expected to be fit after sitting out last week’s Scottish Cup win over Dumbarton.

Kick-off: 2.30pm

TV: Live on BBC Scotland

Programme: £5 – available on the day or to order here

Tickets: There will be NO tickets on sale on the day of the game. Fans are urged to make sure they arrive at Celtic Park in plenty of time for the 2.30pm kick-off.

Referee: Steven McLean