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Friday 11th March 2016

League Cup Final preview

Hibernian and Ross County will contest the 70th Scottish League Cup Final, presented by Utilita, at Hampden Park on Sunday, kick-off 3.00pm.

Hibernian and Ross County will contest the 70th Scottish League Cup Final, presented by Utilita, at Hampden Park on Sunday, kick-off 3.00pm.

Road to the final: Hibernian kicked off their campaign with a 3-0 home win over Montrose then beat Stranraer 1-0 before ending Aberdeen's 100% domestic record with a 2-0 victory at Easter Road. Dundee United were defeated 3-0 in the quarter-final to set up a last-four meeting with St Johnstone at Tynecastle, which Alan Stubbs' men won 2-1. John McGinn scored the clincher after Joe Shaughnessy had cancelled out Jason Cummings’ penalty.

Ross County saw off Ayr United 2-0 at the Global Energy Stadium then thrashed Falkirk 7-0, with Liam Boyce netting a hat-trick. Jim McIntyre's men beat Highland rivals Inverness CT 2-1 at the Tulloch Caledonian Stadium in the last eight then stunned holders Celtic 3-1 in the semi-final. Martin Woods (penalty), Paul Quinn and Alex Schalk scored the goals for the Staggies.

Team news: Hibernian are without injured pair Paul Hanlon and Dylan McGeouch but Fraser Fyvie could return. Ross County have goalkeeper Scott Fox and striker Craig Curran sidelined. On-loan Aberdeen forward David Goodwillie is cup-tied. The Staggies this week signed ex-Toronto keeper Chris Konopka.

League Cup pedigree: Hibernian are appearing in their 10th League Cup Final and their first since beating Kilmarnock 5-1 in 2007 when John Collins was manager. Their first success was in 1972/73 when Eddie Turnbull led them to a 2-1 win over Celtic and Alex Miller was in charge when Dunfermline were beaten 2-0 in 1991/92.

Ross County are appearing in the League Cup Final for the first time. Prior to this season they had never gone further than the quarter-finals. Bobby Wilson was the manager for the club's first League Cup tie - a 3-2 home win over Queen's Park in August 1994.

Cup facts: Hibernian or Ross County will become the sixth different winner in six seasons. Only two clubs have won the trophy when outside the top flight - East Fife and Raith Rovers. Four finals have been settled on penalties and only four have finished goalless. The last player to score a hat-trick in a League Cup Final was Henrik Larsson for Celtic against Kilmarnock in 2001.

Extra time: If the scores are level after 90 minutes, extra time and penalties, if required, will settle the outcome.

Tickets: On sale on the day from two outlets at Hampden from 11.00am for Hibs fans and from 12 noon for Ross County supporters. £25 for adults and £10 for U16s. Full details HERE

Turnstiles: Open at 1.30pm. Supporters are asked to arrive in good time as enhanced security checks will be in place.

Travel advice: Information from Police Scotland HERE

Match programme: 100-page souvenir edition, priced £5. Retro cover design by the artist Paine Proffitt to celebrate 70 years of the Scottish League Cup.

Referee: Kevin Clancy
Assistant referees: Alan Mulvanny and Gary Hilland
Fourth official: John McKendrick

TV: Live on BBC Scotland, coverage starts at 2.30pm

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