Celtic v Heart of Midlothian
Sunday, 20 December 2020
Kick off 2.15pm
Hampden Park, Glasgow
Live on Premier Sports & BBC One Scotland

Celtic and Heart of Midlothian are set to go head-to-head in a second consecutive William Hill Scottish Cup final as the 2019/20 competition draws to a long-awaited close.

In a festive first, the showpiece event at Hampden Park will play out in front of an empty stadium after a long, COVID hit delay.

For both sides, it is an opportunity to bring their supporters some Christmas joy, with the fixture set to be watched through television screens this Sunday.

Celtic are aiming for an historic day in Glasgow following their treble success three years on the bounce. After overcoming Aberdeen last month by two goals to nil, the current holders have a fourth successive treble in their sights.

Heart of Midlothian make their way to Hampden Park from the Capital in search of another Scottish Cup success, which would be their first since 2012. The Edinburgh outfit defeated their city rivals Hibernian in the semi-final in dramatic fashion, edging the encounter 2-1 after extra time.

Pre-match thoughts

Celtic manager Neil Lennon is aiming for an eighth victory in a Scottish Cup final, having lifted the trophy four times as a player and three as a manager.

The Hoops boss insists all of his players are in contention for a spot in his starting eleven at the weekend as his side look to build on their upturn in form.  

He said: “As regards team selection, there will be no sentimentality involved in my thinking behind that with my backroom team.

“It is a cup final, a game we want to win. Everyone is in contention and I have to pick the best team for the occasion and to help us win another trophy.”

For Robbie Neilson, Sunday presents an opportunity for the Hearts manager to taste success for the second time in the Scottish Cup, following a memorable day in 2006 as a player.

The Jambo’s boss could make history as the first man to lift the trophy as both a player and manager for the club, but insists the preparations have remained the same for his team.

He said: “It’s a bit surreal. The Scottish Cup final is usually the climax of the season in the sunshine. We’re just glad to be there and looking forward to it. Hopefully, it’s a decent Christmas present for the fans.

“The build-up is still the same whether it’s now or the end of the season. You still have a good week’s training leading into it.”

Roads to the Scottish Cup Final

Some fans may need a refresh of the competition so far, given the fact that both clubs began their journeys to the final almost a year ago.

The 2019/20 competition started with the Preliminary Rounds back in August 2019, with both Celtic and Hearts entering in the Fourth Round in January 2020.

Celtic began their campaign in the bid to defend the trophy with a short trip to Firhill, where they defeated Partick Thistle 2-1, holding off a late comeback from the hosts.

Meanwhile, Hearts set out on their road to Hampden with a convincing 5-0 win at Tynecastle Park against Airdrieonians – thanks to goals from Andrew Irving, Sean Clare, Steven Naismith, Euan Henderson and Craig Halkett.

The Fifth Round dealt another away game for the Hoops, who faced Clyde in the early February cold at Broadwood Stadium. Olivier Ntcham, Scott Brown and Vakoun Bayo were on the scoresheet in a 3-0 win.

The Jambo’s were then off to Falkirk, where they edged that tie 1-0 to secure safe passage to the final eight of the competition.

Next up in the Quarter Finals was yet another away day for Celtic supporters, who saw their side travel to Perth and overcome St Johnstone by one goal to nil as they booked their place in another semi-final at Hampden.

For Hearts, it was a day to remember as Oliver Bozanic’s second half winner was the difference between themselves and Rangers in Edinburgh, as the side from the Capital made it to the semi-finals yet again.

No one would have expected that both clubs would have to wait nearly seven months for their next involvement in the Scottish Cup, which came in late October and the start of November for the 2019/20 semi-finalists.

A dramatic 2-1 win in the Edinburgh Derby on Saturday, 31 October was followed on the Sunday by Celtic’s 2-0 victory over Aberdeen to set the stage for Sunday’s final at Hampden Park.

Where to watch?

Premier Sports will be broadcasting the match live – coverage starts from 1.45pm on Sunday.

BBC One Scotland will be showing the Final live – coverage starts at 1.15pm.

Matchday programme

Buy your souvenir William Hill Scottish Cup Final programme online here.

Match officials

Referee: John Beaton
Assistant Referee One: Frank Connor
Assistant Referee Two: Graeme Leslie
Fourth Official: Alan Muir
Additional Assistant Referee One: Kevin Clancy
Additional Assistant Referee Two: Nick Walsh