William Hill Scottish Cup Semi-final
Hibernian v Falkirk
Saturday 18th April, 12.15pm kick-off
Hampden Park, Glasgow
The Scottish Cup has been a source of both elation and frustration for Falkirk in the past 20 years. Memorable days out at Hampden and Ibrox have been tempered with agonising near misses.
Two semi-final exits and two narrow 1-0 defeats in the 1997 & 2009 finals have left the Bairns hungry for silverware and they might sense that this year presents a golden opportunity to match their two historic Scottish Cup triumphs in 1913 & 1957.
In the three games they’ve played in the Scottish Championship this year, Falkirk have beaten Hibernian twice and drawn once (a 3-3 draw at Easter Road in January).
In Peter Houston they also have a manager who knows what it’s like to lift the Scottish Cup at Hampden having won it with Dundee United in 2010.
There’s also the small matter of their semi-final defeat to the same opponents two years ago. Falkirk blew a 3-0 lead that day and might see this as the ideal chance to gain revenge in front of their loyal fans…
ROUTE TO THE SEMI-FINALS
Fourth Round – Falkirk 1-0 Cowdenbeath
Sibbald (73)
Fifth Round – Falkirk 2-1 Brechin City
McCracken (11), Smith (79); Trouten (pen 55)
Quarter-final – Queen of the South 0-1 Falkirk
Sibbald (34)
FACTS
- Falkirk have won the Scottish Cup twice in their history. They last lifted the cup with a replay win over Kilmarnock in 1957
- Yet to concede a goal from open play in this year’s competition
- Three players who started in the 2013 Scottish Cup semi-final remain at the club (Duffie, Alston, Sibbald)
ONE TO WATCH
Craig Sibbald
The Falkirk-born striker has netted seven goals for the Bairns this season including two winners in their march to the semi-finals. Sibbald made his debut for his local team at the age of just 16 and scored in the semi-final with Hibernian two years ago. Will be keen to make amends for that game and help fire his club into their fifth-ever Scottish Cup final.