Latest News

alt description

Friday 29th May 2015

Scottish Cup final preview

Inverness Caley Thistle and Falkirk contest the final of the Scottish Cup at Hampden Park on Saturday, kick-off 3.00pm.

Inverness Caley Thistle and Falkirk contest the final of the Scottish Cup at Hampden Park on Saturday, kick-off 3.00pm.

Caley Thistle enjoyed a superb season in the Premiership and John Hughes is hoping to cap a remarkable campaign by leading the Highlanders to glory against his former club.

Peter Houston's men narrowly missed out on the play-offs in the Championship but the Bairns boss enjoyed Scottish Cup success in 2010, guiding Dundee United to victory over Ross County.

John Hughes: "If we really turn up and play at our best then I'm confident we can bring the Scottish Cup back to Inverness. We all want to win, we all want success, we all want medals and trophies. But, if I'm honest, it's the way we've done it - the way we pass the ball and entertain - that's been the most pleasing thing for me.”

Peter Houston: "I have a fair idea what team John Hughes will play, and he might have a fair idea what we will play as well, but it is down to the Saturday afternoon and who handles it. In a one-off situation anything can happen and because you are underdogs it doesn't mean you can't win the match. I quite like one-off situations - winner takes all - I am quite happy with that."

Road to the final: Inverness CT beat St Mirren 4-0 in a fourth-round replay then saw off Partick Thistle 2-1 at Firhill in round five. Raith Rovers were defeated 1-0 at the Tulloch Caledonian Stadium in the quarter-final and full-back David Raven's late goal in extra time settled an epic semi-final 3-2 in their favour against Celtic at Hampden.

Falkirk edged out Cowdenbeath 1-0 at home in round four and Brechin were beaten 2-1 in the last 16 of the competition. Craig Sibbald's goal earned them a 1-0 win over Queen of the South at Palmerston in the quarter-final and the same player struck with 15 minutes left in the semi-final against Hibernian at Hampden.

Scottish Cup pedigree: Falkirk have won the trophy twice, beating Raith Rovers 2-0 in 1912/13 and Kilmarnock 2-1, after a replay, in 1956/57. The Bairns were losing finalists to Kilmarnock in 1996/97 and Rangers in 2008/09. Inverness CT are appearing in their first Scottish Cup final, having joined the senior ranks in 1994/95.

Last meeting: This is the first meeting between the teams since the final day of the 2008/09 SPL campaign, when Michael Higdon's goal in the Highlands kept the Bairns up and consigned Caley Thistle to relegation.

Europe: The winners will enter the Europa League in qualifying round two in mid-July. Inverness CT are already guaranteed a European place through their third-place finish in the Premiership so St Johnstone will qualify for Europe if ICT lift the cup.

TV: Live on BBC Scotland and Sky Sports

Referee: Willie Collum

Ticket details HERE