The stage is set for a historic Scottish Cup final between fierce rivals Celtic and Rangers at Hampden Park in Glasgow on Sunday 28 May. Kick-off is at 13:30 BST and the match will be broadcast live on BBC One Scotland, with text commentary available on the BBC Sport website and app.
Celtic are looking to defend their trophy and ensure their campaign isn’t trophyless, while Rangers are keen to do the domestic cup double having already secured the League Cup and send departing manager Malky Thomson out on a high. This is the fifth and final meeting of the pair this season, with two draws and a win a piece, making it perfectly poised.
Celtic endured what manager Fran Alonso described as the “cruellest outcome” in last Sunday’s SWPL frantic finale. His side did all they could at Celtic Park, beating Hearts 2-0 in front of another record-breaking crowd of over 15,500, only for a last-gasp City goal at Ibrox to snatch the title away. However, Alonso is encouraging his side to “transfer the disappointment and hurt into aggression, quality and passion”.
Celtic centre-half Caitlin Hayes is determined to keep the cup in their trophy cabinet, saying “There’s a fire in my belly, and that resonates with all my team-mates. It’s always nice to have something tangible to celebrate. It’s our cup, it’s in our trophy cabinet at Celtic Park and that is where we wish for it to stay.”
Rangers manager Malky Thomson is hoping to complete the set with the Scottish Cup, as this is the only trophy that has evaded him during his tenure. Thomson announced earlier this week he would be returning to his academy role at the club following the Scottish Cup final, but he insists his departure will leave “no hangover” as his side try to add to the League Cup won back in December.