(Photo by Mark Runnacles/Getty Images)
It’s Premier Sports Cup final day as Hibs and Celtic go head-to-head at Hampden for the first piece of silverware of the 2021/22 season.
Ryan Porteous celebrates at full time during the Premier Sports Cup semi-final match between Hibs and Rangers (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
The Easter Road side are big underdogs against their Glasgow rivals with Hibs heading to Hampden with an interim manager in charge after Jack Ross’ sacking and struggling for results.
However, their poor league form didn’t stop Hibs from blitzing Rangers in the semi-finals and booking their place in this afternoon’s final against Ange Postecoglou’s Celtic side.
Hibs last lifted the trophy in 2006/07 and it would be the perfect way for interim boss David Gray to bow out after his brief stint in charge.
Hibees star Martin Boyle is desperate to make up for failing to win the Scottish Cup last year and thinks it is vital they “rectify” the defeat to St Johnstone last May, saying: “We were in the final [of the Scottish Cup] last season and we know we didn’t turn up that day.
“So I think it’s important that we rectify that, get the trust of the fans back and show that we are more than capable of winning the game.”
The final gets underway at 3pm at Hampden.
Sponsors Premier Sports will be showing the final live with coverage starting at 1.30pm on Premier Sports 1.
Yes, Hibs v Celtic will also also be shown online, with a live stream available on the Premier Player
Interim Hibs boss David Gray is confident that Chris Cadden and Kevin Nisbet can recover from knocks after limping off against Dundee in midweek while Kyle Magennis, Melker Hallberg and Sean Mackie remain on the sidelines for the Hibees.
Hibs predicted XI: Macey; McGinn, Hanlon, Porteous; Stevenson, Newell, Doyle-Hayes, Cadden, Campbell; Nisbet, Boyle
Ange Postecoglou has a number of injuries to worry about ahead of the game with Albian Ajeti and Giorgos Giakoumakis joining Jota and Christopher Jullien on the sidelines. Kyogo Furuhashi, James Forrest and Mikey Johnston could all return after missing out in midweek against Ross County.
Celtic predicted XI: Hart; Ralston, Starfelt, Carter-Vickers, Scales; Turnbull, Bitton, McGregor; Montgomery, Juranovic, Kyogo
John Beaton has been given the responsibility for the first cup final of the season.
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