Celtic v Hearts, William Hill Scottish Cup Final 2020

Good luck 

to Celtic and 

Hearts in 

the final

CELTIC V 

HEART OF MIDLOTHIAN 

William Hill Scottish Cup Final 

Sunday, 20 December 2020 | Hampden Park 

Kick-off 3pm 

SCOTTISH FA 

Hampden Park 

Glasgow 

G42 9AY 

0141 616 6000 

SCOTTISH FA ONLINE: 

e. info@scottishfa.co.uk 

w. www.scottishfa.co.uk 

@ScottishFA 

facebook.com/ 

scotlandnationalteam 

Office Bearers: 

President 

Rod Petrie 

Chief executive 

Ian Maxwell 

Vice-president 

Mike Mulraney 

The Scottish Football Association Limited 

is a private company limited by guarantee, 

registered in Scotland, with its registered 

office at Hampden Park, Glasgow G42 9AY 

and company number SC005453. 

Cover design: Scottish FA 

Programme designed 

and published on behalf 

of the Scottish FA by 

Ignition Sports Media 

www.ignitionsportsmedia.com 

Print: S&G Group 

Photographs: 

SNS Group, PA Images 

Commissioning Editor: 

Ronnie Esplin 

Production: 

Gavin McCafferty 

Please note that the views expressed in this 

programme do not necessarily reflect those 

of the Scottish FA. 

04 HAMPDEN 

MEMORIES 

A look back at a packed Hampden 

Park for the 2019 William Hill 

Scottish Cup Final 

06 TREBLE WITHOUT 

APPLAUSE? 

Celtic are aiming for another 

clean domestic sweep but face 

a determined Hearts in unique 

circumstances 

14 HISTORY BHOY 

The Celtic manager is aiming to set 

another Scottish Cup landmark 

20 DOWN BUT FAR 

FROM OUT 

Hearts can take a massive step 

today in their comeback from a 

controversial relegation 

26 THE LONG ROAD 

TO HAMPDEN 

The Scottish Cup campaign began 

16 months ago 

32 MOMENT IN TIME 

Hearts thrashed Edinburgh rivals 

Hibernian on the grandest stage 

in 2012 

34 ‘WISH YOU WERE 

HERE’ ROLL CALL 

36 MOMENT IN TIME 

Celtic claimed an unprecedented 

treble treble against Hearts in the 

2019 final 

38 MEET MY MATES 

Callum McGregor introduces us to 

his Celtic team-mates 

46 MEET MY MATES 

Steven Naismith runs the rule over 

his Hearts team-mates 

52 WILLIAM HILL 

SCOTTISH CUP 

HISTORY 

How both clubs have fared in the 

competition 

56 GIVE THE KIDS 

A CHANCE 

Money is being raised to help 

ensure young footballers continue 

to play through the pandemic 

58 PROTECTING 

COMMUNITY 

CORNERSTONES 

Football’s reach can play its part in 

overcoming Covid-19 

63 THE 2019-20 

SCOTTISH CUP IN 

NUMBERS 

64 WILLIAM HILL 

SCOTTISH CUP PAST 

WINNERS 1874-2019 

66 TODAY’S SQUADS 

William Hill Scottish Cup Final 2020 | Celtic v Hearts | Hampden Park 

3

4 William Hill Scottish Cup Final 2020 | Celtic v Hearts | Hampden Park

Wish you were here 

A look back at a packed Hampden Park for the 2019 William 

Hill Scottish Cup Final. With no supporters in attendance this 

afternoon, the 2020 final will feel different for many fans 

across the country compared to the meeting between the two 

sides last year. 


5

TREBLE 

WITHOUT 

APPLAUSE? 

Celtic are aiming to complete another clean 

sweep in unique circumstances but face an 

experienced and determined Hearts side 

Words: Ronnie Esplin | PA news agency 



7

Another quirk of the 2019- 

20 tournament is that Hearts 

midfielder Andy Halliday was 

on the Rangers bench when 

the Edinburgh men beat Steven 

Gerrard’s side 1-0 in the quarterfinal 

at Tynecastle in February. 

Having made the move east 

along the M8 in the summer, he 

will hope to take advantage of his 

cup reprieve. 

There have been some 

unforseeen developments at 

Parkhead too since French striker 

Odsonne Edouard’s double wiped 

out Ryan Edwards’ opener in the 

2019 final to complete an historic 

domestic treble treble. 

Neil Lennon with 

the William Hill 

Scottish Cup 

following Celtic’s 

victory over Hearts 

in last year’s final 

When the players, management, staff and supporters 

of Celtic and Hearts left Hampden Park on 25 May 

2019, with the William Hill Scottish Cup aboard the 

Hoops team bus for the third successive season, few 

would have considered the prospect of the two clubs 

meeting again in the final the following year. 

Back-to-back finals contested 

by the same opponents are 

extremely rare in the national 

cup competition. 

No-one, however, could 

have predicted the surreal 

circumstances in which today’s 

delayed showpiece occasion 

takes place. 

The Covid-19 crisis brought 

the season to a premature 

end in March and Scottish 

football is still coming to terms 

with the ramifications, one of 

which demands that, due to 

Coronavirus restrictions, the 

Scottish Cup Final will be played 

behind closed doors for the first 

time and there will be a festive 

flavour to it. 

Hearts, for their part, began their 

2019-20 Scottish Cup journey 

playing in one league and will 

complete it in another. The 

Tynecastle club were naturally 

aggrieved to be demoted 

from the Premiership to the 

Championship when the leagues 

were called in May, after it 

became clear Covid-19 would 

prevent their completion. 

Daniel Stendel guided the Jambos 

through the earlier rounds but 

Robbie Neilson has returned for 

his second spell as boss and, 

having won the tournament 

as a Gorgie player in 2006, 

the former defender has the 

opportunity today to also win 

it as a manager. 

Neilson will bank on the 

experience of Craig Gordon who 

was on the bench in the fourthround 

match against Partick 

Thistle - as a Celtic player. 

The 37-year-old goalkeeper 

returned to his former club in the 

summer and is on top form as he 

seeks a fourth winner’s medal. 

Neil Lennon had taken over from 

Brendan Rodgers on a temporary 

basis the previous February when 

his fellow Northern Irishman 

departed for Leicester City and 

he guided Celtic over the line 

in the league for their eighth 

successive title. 

The former Hoops captain was 

invited to become the club’s 

permanent manager for the 

second time after the historic win 

over the Gorgie side. 

There was some resistance to 

that decision by a section of the 

Parkhead support, but doubters 

were quelled by a League Cup 

Final win over Rangers just over 

a year ago and by the Glasgow 

club securing nine in a row for 

the second time in the club’s 

history when declared champions 

in March. 

There was no hint of the troubles 

to come in the east end of 

Glasgow when season 2020- 

21 nervously began in empty 

stadiums and amid stringent 

Covid-19 protocols. 

Celtic’s relative struggle in 

recent months has had a section 

of the Hoops fans up in arms. 

Lennon has discovered that the 

price of such relentless success 

is not being allowed by some 

to fail. 


9


Hearts are looking for an 

immediate return to the topflight 

and go into the game 

top of the Championship and 

on the back of an emphatic 

6-1 win over Queen of the 

South. Confidence is high 


11

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Hearts boss Robbie 

Neilson celebrates 

after the William 

Hill Scottish Cup 

semi-final win over 

Hibernian 

Chief executive Peter Lawwell 

and major shareholder Dermot 

Desmond, along with the rest 

of the Celtic board, have stood 

strong behind their manager, 

taking flak themselves. 

However, successive wins over 

French outfit Lille in the Europa 

League and Kilmarnock in the 

Premiership ahead of today’s 

match have indicated an upturn 

in fortunes and the nine-in-arow 

champions seek to win 

their 12th successive trophy 

to clinch an unprecedented 

quadruple domestic treble, 

which Lennon believes would be 

“monumental”. 

Celtic are on the hunt for their 

40th Scottish Cup. Eight-times 

winners Hearts can take the 

trophy back to Gorgie for the first 

time in eight years. 

On only three occasions have 

the same sides met in successive 

finals. Queens Park v Dumbarton 

(1881-1882), Queen’s Park v 

Celtic (1892-93) and Aberdeen v 

Rangers (1982-1983) 

Hearts will believe they can go 

one better than last season but 

the tournament has been good 

to Lennon, as well as Celtic. 

The man from Lurgan has won 

the cup four times as a player 

and three times as a manager, 

twice in his first spell as boss, and 

he will draw on that experience 

when he wrestles with some 

selection dilemmas. 

Goalkeeper Conor Hazard 

and midfielders David Turnbull 

and Ismaila Soro have greatly 

encouraged the Hoops faithful in 

the last two matches. 

However, players like skipper 

Scott Brown and fellow 

midfielders Tom Rogic and Ryan 

Christie have been over the 

course many times before. 

We will soon see if 22-year-old 

Northern Ireland cap Hazard, with 

only two first-team appearances 

for Celtic, gets the nod over 

Vasilis Barkas and Scott Bain. 

Celtic’s comfortable 2-0 semi-final 

win over Aberdeen at Hampden 

Park in front of no supporters 

was the most recent reminder of 

their strength in the tournament. 

The Hoops have not lost a 

Scottish Cup tie since April 2016, 

when Rangers came out on top 

in a semi-final penalty shoot-out. 

Will this be the day it all clicks 

back into place? 

Hearts are looking for an 

immediate return to the topflight 

and go into the game top 

of the Championship and on 

the back of an emphatic 6-1 

win over Queen of the South. 

Confidence is high. 

The Jambos gleefully clinched 

their place in the final with a 

2-1 win over Edinburgh rivals 

Hibs at Hampden Park at the 

end of October and will be 

desperate to make that hardfought 

victory count. 

“There is no trepidation for us 

about going to Hampden and 

facing Celtic,” said Neilson, 

who has plenty of experience and 

nous in addition to Gordon. 

Captain Steven Naismith, 

who won the cup with Rangers, 

Christophe Berra, part of the 

2006 Hearts cup-winning 

squad, Michael Smith, 

Halliday, Liam Boyce, Jamie 

Walker and Stephen Kingsley will 

not be fazed and will certainly 

play with less expectation on their 

shoulders than those players in 

green and white. 

Hampden Park, no doubt, will 

throw up a hero as it has done 

every year since even before 

Willie Mason scored the only 

goal of the 1891 final for Hearts 

against Dumbarton, and Sandy 

McMahon scored a hat-trick for 

Celtic against Queen’s Park in the 

replayed final the following year, 

the first Scottish Cup triumphs for 

the respective clubs. 

The reward for today’s winners 

is the same as it was in the 

19th century. The gleaming 

trophy and the glory of victory in 

arguably the finest domestic cup 

competition in the world. 


13


The Celtic manager is 

aiming to set another 

Scottish Cup landmark 

Words: By Craig Swan | Daily Record 


15

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Neil Lennon has uncovered 

a welcome ability to use 

William Hill Scottish Cup 

Final day for marking 

milestones as the Celtic 

manager. Both for himself 

and for his club. 

The 49-year-old will lead the team out for a 

fourth time over his two spells at the helm, 

hoping the occasion will be remembered for 

another significant landmark. 

Celtic have won the trophy on 39 previous 

occasions. Impressively, the Northern 

Irishman has played a role in seven of them. 

In 2001, 2004, 2005 and 2007, he was on 

the field playing his part for teams managed 

by Martin O’Neill and Gordon Strachan. 

Lennon’s last three triumphs have, of course, 

come since the end of those illustrious 

playing days. As the Celtic boss, he has an 

unblemished Scottish Cup Final record. 

Back in 2011, Lennon was able to place his 

hands around a first-ever trophy in his new 

capacity after dispensing with the boots and 

pulling on the gaffer’s coat. 

It was pouring with rain, yet it was 

Motherwell who were washed away. A 3-0 

success with goals from Ki Sung-yueng, 

Charlie Mulgrew and an own goal from 

Stephen Craigan helped soften the blow of 

narrowly losing the league title in his first 

full term. 

At the time, he said: “We’ve finished the 

season on a high. I haven’t felt much 

pressure. I might feel it more next season 

because the level of expectation will be 

higher. 

“Under Martin and Gordon we were 

dominant, but we lost that. Now we’ve had 

a taste of success and I hope the lads want 

more.” 

The heightened expectation did not pose 

too many subsequent problems. Titles 

followed in the next two seasons with the 

icing placed on to the 2012-13 term by the 

completion of the double. 

After Motherwell in his first final as the 

Celtic boss, it was Hibs who succumbed on 

this occasion. Gary Hooper’s two goals and 

a late strike from Joe Ledley would ensure 

Pat Fenlon’s team were dispatched by the 

same scoreline as the Steelmen had been 

two years previously. 


17

The first 

against 

Motherwell 

was, 

obviously, 

the first 

trophy I 

won as a 

manager 

and that’s 

a very 

special 

memory 

Lennon knew the importance of that 

maiden double as boss, as he said: “My 

stomach was churning and I was nervous 

before the game, but you never tire of days 

like this. To win the double as a player and 

as a manager is pretty special.” 

With a first trophy and a first double sealed 

in Scotland’s showpiece occasion, the next 

natural step would be a treble. Little could 

Lennon have realised that, if it did come one 

day, it would come in the shape of a ‘treble 

treble’. As it did 19 months ago. 

Parachuted into the void left by the 

departed Brendan Rodgers just weeks prior 

to the big day, the interim boss negotiated 

ties with Hibs and Aberdeen to set up a date 

with destiny against Hearts. 

His team had to fight back from a goal 

down when they were shocked at the 

beginning of the second period by a strike 

from Ryan Edwards, yet Lennon would enjoy 

that familiar feeling of success as Odsonne 

Edouard’s penalty-kick and a second effort 

from the in-form French striker won the 

silverware. 

Lennon would be offered the opportunity to 

take the role on a full-time basis within an 

hour of that triumph. He had barely made it 

into the auditorium at the national stadium 

to do his post-match press briefing when 

the club had announced their plans, which 

have taken him into this day. 

Afterwards, he opined: “It was probably one 

of the best days of my life. It’s historic. Just 

to play a small part in that is fantastic. In 

my career winning the treble was the Holy 

Grail. You can’t quantify how difficult that 

achievement is to pull off. They have now 

done it three years consecutively.” 

Fast forward to now and, as he looks back 

over those previous successes with the 

benefit of hindsight, Lennon’s reflections 

don’t charge much. 

“Each one has been special,” he said. 

“There was a lot more anxiety around the 

Hearts one as I’d only just come back in the 

February, but it was a brilliant moment. 

“The first against Motherwell was, obviously, 

the first trophy I won as a manager and 

that’s a very special memory. 

“Same thing goes for the win over Hibs as 

that was my first double as a manager. That 

was another amazing day. Those were great 

memories and I’m looking forward to this 

one, too.” 

Little wonder there’s anticipation. Although 

seasons have overlapped and extended the 

2019-20 campaign until today’s conclusion, 

Lennon is now back to face the team from 

Tynecastle for a second straight season with 

the chance to make it four straight Trebles 

for his club. It appears four may be the 

magic number for the Celtic manager. 


The 

chance 

is there 

for us 

to win 

another 

trophy, 

but we 

take 

nothing 

for 

granted 

The unprecedented achievement 

within their reach is not lost on him 

going into today’s final, although he 

is also very wary of the threat posed 

by today’s opponents, who pushed 

the holders all the way in that 

2019 final. 

Obviously, things aren’t always perfect. 

Lennon’s had his disappointing days at 

the national stadium as a player and as a 

manager. Not just at Celtic. At Hibs, the loss 

of the 2017 semi-final to Aberdeen during 

his reign loosened the Easter Road side’s 

cherished grip of the silverware. 

But as a Celtic manager there’s been no 

setbacks in a final. That first trophy as a 

manager. That first double as a manager. 

Helping the club complete that treble 

treble. Now he stands on the brink of a 

fourth outstanding achievement at the 

helm of Celtic. 

Lennon said: “We are facing 

a highly-motivated team who 

have done brilliantly under Robbie 

(Neilson). They are full of Premier League 

players and we are going to have to be at 

our very best to win the game. 

“The chance is there for us to win another 

trophy, but we take nothing for granted. 

We have analysed Hearts thoroughly to 

make sure we are ready. 

“We are going to try and do something 

that will probably never be done again. 

To have done three is already incredible. 

Four would be out there. It would be 

almost untouchable and that’s a real 

motivating factor.” 


19


Hearts can take a 

massive step today 

in their comeback 

from a controversial 

relegation 

Words: Barry Anderson | Edinburgh Evening News 


21

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A COACH 

TO FIND 

OUT MORE 

VISIT 

SCOTTISHFA.CO.UK/COACHEDUCATION

Aside from the welcome 

reward of a gleaming 

146-year-old trophy, one 

significant prize awaits 

the Hearts players and 

management team if they 

beat Celtic this afternoon: 

Immortality. 

Any manner of victory for the Championship 

club against Premiership opponents would 

be a major upset, especially with Celtic 

chasing a historic quadruple treble. Add 

in the residual anger from a summer 

relegation, plus the difficulties of a global 

pandemic, and the odds are stacked heavily 

against those from Edinburgh. 

Celtic’s motivation will be enormous as 

they look to atone for recent sub-standard 

results. Hearts are rank outsiders and, as 

a team from a division below, would earn 

eternal greatness in the eyes of their fans by 

bringing the William Hill Scottish Cup back 

to Gorgie. 

No-one need tell manager Robbie Neilson 

what victory would do for all concerned. 

His name is already etched in Tynecastle’s 

annals as a 2006 Scottish Cup winner. But 

success today would spark an entirely new 

level of euphoria. 

Perhaps the strain might be expected to 

show on those involved given the stakes. 

Yet it is quite the opposite when you meet 

Neilson. He is the epitome of composure. 

In fact, you would be forgiven for thinking 

he was preparing for a kickabout in his 

back garden. 

“My job is helping players on the day and 

getting preparation right,” he explained. 

“The real work is done when the players go 

out on the pitch. Most of our work is in the 

days leading up to it, then in the final hours 

before kick-off. 


23

The 

Scottish 

Cup was 

a massive 

attraction 

for me and 

a massive 

part of 

our 

pre-season 

plan 

“We might have to make changes during 

the game but as a manager it’s totally 

different from being a player. Preparation is 

the most important thing. If you are properly 

prepared and cover everything, then in your 

head that’s the most you can do. Football 

is a very random sport. Things will happen 

within a game that are out of your control. 

You can only focus on what is controllable. 

“Winning the cup would be brilliant for 

everyone. It’s been such a difficult period 

for everyone attached to the club. It’s a big 

ask but we will give it a real shot. The main 

thing is we are playing in a Scottish Cup 

Final. We’d love to have the fans with us but 

at least we are here.” 

Hearts upset another Premiership club 

to get here, beating rivals Hibernian in a 

memorable semi-final. A prevailing sense of 

injustice from the summer helped. 

“Every week we use that against every 

team we play against,” said Neilson. “The 

players understand they have to win every 

game they go into. They have a brilliant 

opportunity at Hampden against Celtic 

to give some joy back to the fans and 

win a cup. Very few people do that in 

their careers. 

“Under the circumstances, with everything 

that had gone on for months, to be able to 

win a semi-final against our biggest rivals at 

Hampden was a great day for us. However, 

the focus now is to actually try and lift the 

trophy. It would be brilliant for the club and 

the fans.” 

This tournament was a notable carrot for 

Neilson back in June when he chose to 

leave Dundee United and rejoin Hearts. He 

devised a summer plan to have players in 

optimum condition for the semi-final on 31 

October. Costs ran well into six figures for 

Covid testing, equipment, training facilities 

and players’ wages. It was worth it. 

“The Scottish Cup was a massive attraction 

for me and a massive part of our pre-season 

plan,” said Neilson. “We knew our season 

wasn’t starting until October so we would 

be a number of games behind Hibs. 

“We got our players back early in August 

and played loads of pre-season games to 

be ready for the Betfred Cup and league 

starting. We had to be at those levels before 

we hit the semi-final but, even going into 

this game, we are still a number of games 

behind Celtic.” 

Recent unrest and fan protests in Glasgow’s 

east end won’t distract Hearts. 

“It doesn’t influence us,” Neilson said. 

“Celtic’s squad is full of internationals with 

loads of medals, trophies and big-game 

experience. Their management team are the 

same. We can’t go into this game thinking 


We all 

want 

to stick 

together 

and keep 

fighting 

to get 

us back 

where we 

belong 

Celtic are this or that. We know we have to 

be bang at it to have any chance.” 

Neilson isn’t short on cup final experience 

to impart to his players. He appeared at 

Hampden and Wembley, winning two and 

losing one of his three finals as a player. 

He won the 2003 Scottish Challenge 

Cup whilst on loan at Queen of the South 

from Hearts, in a team which included 

goalkeeper Andy Goram. Then came the 

2006 Scottish Cup victory when Hearts beat 

Gretna - who were in Scottish football’s third 

tier - on penalties. 

The full-back’s famous tackle on Gretna’s 

David Graham that day saved a certain goal. 

He remains a hero for that intervention 

alone, aside from anything else he has 

achieved at Tynecastle. 

Five years later, Neilson found himself at 

Wembley for the EFL Trophy Final. He was 

again a loanee, this time at Brentford from 

Leicester City, but suffered a 1-0 defeat 

against Carlisle United. 

“It was the new Wembley so it was a 

great experience but it was night and day 

from Hampden,” he recalled. “There were 

50,000-odd people at Hampden in 2006 so 

it was full, but at Wembley it was 40,000 

in a stadium which can hold 90,000. It was 

less than half full. 

“This final will be totally different again. 

Normally when you drive up to Hampden 

the streets are packed with fans. The 

atmosphere is already generated. Going into 

this game, there are no fans in the street or 

the stadium so we need to make sure the 

players are prepared and understand the 

magnitude of it. 

“They do understand it. We know we are 

underdogs despite some of Celtic’s recent 

results. They’ve won the last 11 domestic 

trophies on the bounce, so we know we 

have to be on top of our game.” 

Should they spring a surprise, Hearts won’t 

be able to enjoy an Edinburgh cup parade 

like previous years. “Both teams have been 

told that, once the medals are handed 

out, that’s it done. Everybody disperses 

and goes home. It’s not ideal. If we 

manage to do it I’m sure we will have a 

celebration of our own,” said Neilson. 

“We need the fans to keep backing us. 

There have been highs and lows but this 

is an opportunity for another big high. We 

all want to stick together and keep fighting 

to get us back where we belong.” 


25


THE 

LONG ROAD 

TO 

HAMPDEN 

The William Hill Scottish Cup campaign 

began 16 months ago 


27

Reece Ritchie occupies a unique 

place in the 2019–20 William Hill 

Scottish Cup story... 

Ritchie sparked the competition into 

life on 10 August, 2019, when scoring 

in the first minute of Lochee United’s 

7-0 preliminary round one win over 

Burntisland Shipyard at Thomson Park. 

It was the first goal of the tournament 

and at the stage where part-time players 

from the East of Scotland League, South of 

Scotland League, North Caledonian League, 

Scottish Junior Football Association and the 

Scottish Amateur Football Association got 

their first chance of glory. 

Jeanfield Swifts 

Ritchie recalled his unforgettable first 

Scottish Cup experience. 

He said: “Burntisland had kick-off and 

played the ball forward but we got it back 

right away. The right-back played it to the 

left midfielder who put the ball into me and 

I scored. I think it was 40 seconds at most. 

“We had won the league (SJFA East 

Region Super League) and were unbeaten 

the whole season. So we felt we could do 

well and maybe get to the later rounds and 

have a chance of getting one of the big 

teams. There was a lot of excitement around 

the club.” 

After beating Lothian Thistle Hutchison 

Vale and Edinburgh University, the Tayside 

club lost to BSC Glasgow in their replayed 

second-round tie. 

Reece Ritchie in 

action against 

Burntisland 

Shipyard in 

preliminary 

round one of 




“We should have beaten BSC at home, they 

went down to 10 men and their ‘keeper 

made a brilliant save in the last minute,” 

said Ritchie. “It ended 1-1 and we got beat 

2-1 in the replay, but either of us could have 

gone through. 

“BSC beat East Fife and ended up playing 

Hibs so it could have been a chance for 

Lochee United. 

“I look forward to playing in the Scottish 

Cup again. It gets the club’s name out there 

so hopefully we get back in it soon and 

hopefully go further in it.” 

Ritchie’s enthusiasm would have been 

matched by the players of Blackburn United, 

Broxburn Athletic, Dundonald Bluebell, 

Easthouses Lily Miners Welfare, Hill of Beath 

Hawthorn, Jeanfield Swifts, and Penicuik 

Athletic, all of whom took part in the 

Scottish Cup for the first time having each 

gained their Club Licence. 

There were some wonderful team names 

and goals galore in the opening round. 

Girvan beat St Cuthbert’s 7-1, Penicuik 

Athletic won 6-1 at Easthouses Lily Miners 

Welfare and Hawick Royal Albert United lost 

6-1 at home to Threave Rovers. 

East of Scotland outfit Jeanfield Swifts 

marked their debut in the competition with 

a thumping 9-1 win over Coldstream. 

Manager Ross Gunnion said: “The whole 

club had been looking forward to making 

our debut in the Scottish Cup and you could 

sense the excitement in our performance.” 

Swifts were beaten 5-2 by Linlithgow Rose 

in preliminary round two, after which the 

tournament replenished itself again with 29 

new entries (16 from the Highland League 

and 13 from the Lowland League) for the 

first round proper. 

Gretna 2008, the club formed in the town 

after the demise of 2006 finalists Gretna, 

progressed with a 1-0 win over Hill of 

Beath Hawthorn, while Auchinleck Talbot, 

Penicuik Athletic and Gala Fairydean 

Rovers were among the 18 

teams who made it through to 

the second round. 

They were joined in the hat by 

14 new entries - one from the 

Highland Football League (Brora 

Rangers), three from the Lowland 

League (Berwick Rangers, BSC 

Glasgow and East Kilbride) and 

all 10 teams from League Two. 

Broxburn Athletic manager Brian 

McNaughton was delighted after his 

East of Scotland side beat League Two 

Cowdenbeath 3-0 in a replay. 

He said after the game: “I thought we 

actually played better last week but 

defensively we were really, really good. 

To a man, everyone did their job. It 

was a special day for the club.” 

The quality increased again for the 

third round as all 10 clubs from League 

One and six from the Championship 

helped make up the last-32 draw. 

Broxburn Athletic players celebrate 

their win 

Below: Broxburn manager 

Brian McNaughton 


29

Then the big boys arrived as the old year 

made way for 2020. The 12 Premiership 

clubs and four from the Championship 

entered in the fourth round and almost all 

the ties went in favour of the favourites. 

Ross County were the only top-flight team 

to lose, going down 1-0 to Ayr United, while 

Hearts beat Airdrie 5-0, with Celtic winning 

2-1 at Partick Thistle. 

BSC Glasgow had been rewarded for their 

good work in Fife by being drawn against 

league rivals East Kilbride and their 3-1 

victory meant they were the only Lowland 

League side in the fifth-round draw. 

“It’s an emotional moment for everyone 

that we’re in the last 16,” said BSC manager 

Stephen Swift. “It’s put the club on the 

map and it’s tremendous for the players as 

they’ve really worked hard.” 

Aaron Drinan 

of Ayr and 

Josh Mullin of 

Ross County in 

action during 



fourth round tie 

Former winners of the trophy Dunfermline, 

Clyde, East Fife and Morton were among 

the new entrants but only the latter survived 

and that after a replay against Brora 

Rangers. 

After the shock 1-1 draw at Cappielow, 

William Powrie, chairman of Brora Rangers, 

declared that it was “arguably the best 

result in our history” but the Greenock side 

won 3-1 in the replay. 

BSC Glasgow 

were the only 

Lowland side in 

the fifth-round 

draw, facing 

Hibernian 

The shock of the round was East Fife’s 4-3 

defeat by BSC Glasgow at Bayview, after 

which home boss Darren Young said: “It 

was horrendous to be honest. We need to 

apologise to the fans and the board for that 

performance because it was nowhere near 

good enough. Every goal was preventable.” 

BSC Glasgow were drawn against Hibs and 

Jack Ross’s side proved too strong as a Marc 

McNulty hat-trick helped the Premiership 

side to a 4-1 win in Alloa. Hearts scraped a 

1-0 win away to Falkirk, while Celtic cruised 

to a 3-0 win over Clyde at Broadwood. 

BSC Glasgow’s 

Ross Smith 

scores to make 

it 1-2 against 

Hibernian, but 

Jack Ross’ topflight 

team were 

too strong 

Inverness’ 1-0 home win over Livingston 

left the 2015 winners as the only non- 

Premiership club in the quarter-finals, but 

dreams of going all the way again were 

ended with a 5-2 defeat at Hibs. 

The shock result of the round came at 

the other side of Edinburgh the following 

day where Hearts beat Rangers 1-0 at 

Tynecastle, just days after the Light Blues 

had beaten Braga 1-0 away to advance into 

the last-16 of the Europa League. 

Gers boss Steven Gerrard said: “On 

Wednesday night I was the proudest man in 

Europe because to a man my players were 

outstanding. Everything we have worked 

on for nearly two years I could see it on the 


Inverness 

celebrate 

knocking out 

Livingston but 

their cup run 

was halted by 

Hibernian 

Rangers’ Steven 

Davis looks 

dejected after 

a shock loss to 

Hearts in the 

quarter-final 

sidelines and I was proud as punch. It was 

an incredible performance. But today for 90 

minutes I didn’t recognise anything.” 

Ryan Christie’s late goal gave Celtic a 1-0 

win at St Johnstone and Aberdeen emerged 

2-0 winners at St Mirren. 

Then came Covid-19 and the postponement 

of football in March. 

When the semi-finals were eventually played 

on 31 October and 1 November, no fans 

were allowed inside Hampden Park due to 

Coronavirus restrictions. 

After watching his Hearts side beat 

Hibs 2-1 after extra-time boss Robbie 

Neilson said: “The dressing room 

after the game was probably 

the best dressing room I 

have been in ever.” 

Celtic’s 2-0 win over 

Aberdeen the following 

day encouraged boss 

Neil Lennon, who said: 

“We’re still not where 

I want us to be but 

we’re getting there.” 

A competition that 

began in typically 

enthusiastic fashion 

over 16 months ago 

with Ritchie et al 

Hearts and 

Celtic celebrate 

their progress 

through to the 

final 

dreaming of glory will finish behind closed 

doors today with some of the top players in 

the country on show and a gleaming trophy 

ready to be festooned with maroon and 

white or green and white ribbons. 

And soon we will be ready to do it all 

again as, in keeping with the strange 

times football is operating in, this season’s 

tournament is already under way. 


31


moment in time 

19th May 2012 | Scottish Cup Final 

Heart of Midlothian 5-1 Hibernian 

BRAGGING RIGHTS 

An eighth Scottish Cup triumph was confirmed in emphatic 

fashion in 2012 as Hearts took the silverware, and the local 

bragging rights, over their Edinburgh rivals. 

Darren Barr stabbed home the opener, Rudi Skacel doubled the 

advantage with a deflected strike and despite James McPake’s reply, 

things went from bad to worse for Hibernian shortly after half-time. 

Pa Kujabi’s dismissal was punished further with Danny Grainger’s 

converted penalty, before Ryan McGowan’s header and a second 

for Skacel rubbed salt into the wounds on an ‘I was there’ occasion 

for the Tynecastle side. 


33

There have been many memorable Hampden finals over the decades 

– games remembered for great team performances, giant-killing acts 

and heroic individual displays - but the 2020 William Hill Scottish Cup 

Final will always be known for one thing… the ‘No Fans Final’. 

While fans can’t be here in body, supporters from both finalists have taken the 

opportunity to be here in spirit by entering their names - or the names of loved 

ones - in the special ‘Wish You Were Here’ matchday programme roll call. 

As well as showing solidarity behind their team, by taking part in the roll call they 

have also supported the SFA’s Give For Grassroots campaign, with well over 

£1,000 being donated to the charity thanks to programme subscribers. 

Adam Markham 

Adam Robb 

Adam Shiels 

Ailsa Quail 

Alan Asher 

Alan George 

Duncanson 

Alan McCall 

Alan Meikle 

Alan Paterson 

Alan Pratt 

Alan Wilson 

Alasdair Grieve 

Alex Dundas 

Alex Sinclair 

Alexander Kroh 

Alexander Munro 

Alistair Dickson 

Allan Cosgrove 

Allan Knox 

Amy Hartley 

Andrew Hand 

Andrew Jarvie 

Andrew Pottinger 

Andrew Reid 

Andy Carlin 

Angela Ballantine 

Ann Johnstone 

B N & Shiel 

Crawford 

Bailey Forbes 

Barbara Thomson 

Barry J Kirk 

Benjamin Quail 

Billy Bowman 

Billy Laidlaw 

Billy Ramsay 

Blair Wilson 

Brian Pitcairn 

Brian Redpath 

Brian Scott 

Brodie Rafferty 

Brodie Scott 

Bruce Robertson 

Bryan McDonald 

Callum Asher 

Calum Aitken 

Calum Woods 

Cameron Syme 

Campbell Orr 

Carla Home 

Charmaine Shiels 

Chris Donnelly 

Christine Paterson 

Christopher 

McLachlan 

Ciaran Beaton 

Colin McGavin 

Colin Bell 

Robertson 

Colin Gilbertson 

Colin Laidlaw 

Colin Moodie 

Colin Ramsay 

Colin Varty 

Conor McGuire 

Cosimina O’Neill 

Craig Brown 

Craig Cairns 

Craig May 

Craig Potter 

Craig Turrell 

Craige Hume 

Curtis Abbott 

D Hutton 

Daniel McIver 

Daniel Thomson 

Danny Stewart 

Darren Clark 

Darren 

Hinshelwood 

Dave Arthur 

Dave Campbell 

David Wilkinson 

David Allan 

David Anderson 

David Cunningham 

David Hanratty 

David Jamieson 

David Little 

David McDonald 

David McIntyre 

David McNab 

David Moore 

David Reynolds 

David Richardson 

David Ross 

David Taylor 

David Wilson 

Dean Brown 

Derek Barnett 

Derek Copeland 

Derek Farley 

Derek Leith 

Douglas Conners 

Douglas Fraser 

Duncan Ferguson 

Edward Duff 

Elliott Parsons 

Ellis Blyth 

Eric White 

Erin Cox 

Erin McGrath 

Eve Innes 

Ewan Murray 

Forbes Hutchison 

Frances Barclay 

Frank Malko 

Frank Morton 

Fraser Powley 

Freddie Corrigan 

Garford Beck 

Gary Cowen 

Gary Dempster 

Gary Hunter 

Gary Leitch 

Gary Marsh 

Gary Mcintosh 

Gavin Slawson 

Ged Marr 

George Anderson 

George Czemartin 

George Frederick 

McLeod 

George Hawkins 

George Paterson 

George Shields 

George Watson 

Gerald Rodgers 

Gerard Brady 

Gerard Weir 

Gillian Boyd 

Gillian Douglas 

Gillian Ward 

Gordon Crawford 

Gordon Mungall 

Gordon Reid 

Gordon Sharp 

Graeme Erskine 

Graeme Fulton 

Graeme McGinty 

Graeme Mutch 

Graham Moulton 

Grant Jarvie 

Grant Pitbladdo 

Grant Young 

Gregg Robertson 

Harry Fryer Ness 

Harry Ogilvie 

Heather Anderson 

Helen Quail 

Henry Mclaren 

Hilary Brown 

Hollie Orr 

Hope Laing 

Hugh Lynch 

Iain Davidson 

Iain Reay 

Ian Coleman 

Ian Henry 

Ian Kemp 

Ian Malcolm 

Ian Rainford 

Ian Reynolds 

Innes Mitchell 

Izaak Coyle 

Joerg Seidel 

Jack Fairgrieve 

Jack Greig 

Jack Maguire 

Jack Marshall 

Jade Carson 

James Cant 

James George 

James Lennon 

James Martin 

James McNamee 

James Sheils 

James Sherry 

James Yule 

Jamie Dickson 

Jamie Mairs 

Jamie Hill 

Jamie Innes 

Jason Paul Coleman 

Jim Boyes 

Jim McGarry 

Joanne McParland 

Jockyl Leask 

Joe McIntosh 

John Prow 

John Thain 

John Allan 

Jamieson 

John Begg 

John Daly Aird 

John Garrow 

John Gibson 

John Guthrie White 

John Howell 

John Law 

John Matheson 

John Mclaren 

John Menzies 

John Nicol 

John Paul Aird 

John Paul Sheils 

John Smith 

John Surgeon 

John Wallace 

John Webster 

Joseph 

McMenaman 

Josh Fulton 

Josh Newby 

Julie Scott 

Karen Doherty 


Karen Pitbladdo 

Maxima Campbell 

Robert Graham 

Tom McManus 

Kathleen McBride 

Melissa Shaw 

Robert James Scott 

Tommy Brown 

Katie Ferguson 

Mhairi Esplin 

Robert Marr 

Tony Fearon 

Keir McIver 

Michael Carruthers 

Robert McDowell 

Tracy Heaney 

Keith Erskine 

Michael Finlayson 

Robert McGowan 

William Cant 

Keith Gallacher 

Michael Markey 

Robin Glass 

William Frew 

Keith Sinclair 

Keith Tait 

Keith Whigham 

Keith Wilson 

Ken Edwards 

Ken Timmins 

Kevin Stevenson 

Kevin Combe 

Kevin Kelly 

Kevin Lyons 

Kevin McCann 

Kevin S Thomson 

Kieran McLaughlin 

Kingsley Thomas 

Kirsten Liem 

Kirsty Esplin 

Kyle Easton 

Leigh Newby 

Lennon McLean 

Leon John Home 

Leslie Scott 

Lewis Campbell 

Scott 

Lewis Mitchell 

Linda McIntyre 

Lindsey Hubbard 

Loki Quail 

Lucy Meldrum 

Luisa Grace Home 

Luke Newby 

Luke Singleton 

Lyle Douglas 

Lyn Ritchie 

Lynn Learmonth 

Marc Bryson 

Margret Lothian 

Mark Browne 

Mark Donaldson 

Mark Muir 

Mark Simpson 

Mark Thompson 

Martin Blythe 

Martin Scott 

Matthew Loughton 

Michael Noel 

Conway 

Michael Sheils 

Mike Whyte 

Mr Copland 

Murdo Rafferty 

Murray Primrose 

Myles Hopkins 

Nathaniel Quail 

Neil Paterson 

Neil Rafferty 

Neil Sinclair 

Nick Guise 

Nick Hutcheon 

Nick Murby 

Nicky Mceleny 

Norrie Fusco 

Oliver Paterson 

Patrick Gallagher 

Paul Sheils 

Paul Bruce 

Paul Celtic Morris 

Paul Fraser 

Paul Gillanders 

Paul McElwee 

Paul McGrath 

Paul Sayers 

Paul Wilson 

Peter Coffey 

Peter Gleave 

Peter Land 

Peter Marshall 

Peter Sheils 

Peter Stewart 

Phil Fielding 

Phil Reilly 

Philip Banks 

Philip Dobosz 

Pierce Hutcheon 

Rachael Easson 

Raymond Brown 

Rebecca Cassidy 

Reece McKenzie 

Richard Lindsay 

Ron Smart 

Rory Brownlee 

Rory Matheson 

Ross Galloway 

Ross Gordon 

Ross Orr 

Ross Powley 

Rudi Abi Maia 

Baptie 

Russell McLauchlan 

Ryan Daniel 

Mulholland 

Ryan Doran 

Ryan Marr 

Samuel Liddell 

Scott Henderson 

Scott Sinclair 

Scott White 

Sean Fogarty 

Sean Home 

Shannon Evans 

Simon Laird 

Sophie South 

Stephen Cook 

Stephen Derek 

Young 

Stephen Donnelly 

Stephen Marr 

Steven Brown 

Steven Campbell 

Steven Mapplebeck 

Steven Oliver 

Steven Sives 

Stevie McEwan 

Stuart Davidson 

Stuart McDonald 

Stuart Robertson 

Stuart Sherry 

Stuart Sives 

Terry Donnelly 

Theresa Thomas 

Thomas Mann 

Thomas Waterson 

Tina Murray 

William Hogg 

William McMahon 

William Leslie 

William Machray 

William Shaw 

William Waugh 

Yvonne Easton 

Matthew Laing 

Richard McCready 

Matthew Marr 

Robbie Macleod 

Matthew McDonald 

Robert Aikman 


35

moment in time 

25th May 2019 | Scottish Cup Final 

Heart of Midlothian 1-2 Celtic 

THE IMMORTALS 

“They are immortals now” was manager Neil 

Lennon’s post-match soundbite after seeing his Celtic 

side come from behind against Hearts at Hampden 

to complete a historic domestic treble treble. 

A brace from Odsonne Edouard, the equaliser from 

the penalty spot and a winner eight minutes from 

time, earned the Hoops a 39th Scottish Cup Final 

victory, despite Craig Levein’s Edinburgh side stifling 

the favourites for long periods and opening the scoring 

through Ryan Edwards. 



37


MEET 

MY 

MATES 

Celtic midfielder Callum McGregor 

introduces us to his Hoops team-mates… 

Words: By Tony Connelly | Celtic media 


39

Vasilis Barkas 

He’s got a big presence in the way 

he carries himself. He’s been great 

since he came in. He started really 

well and has recently got himself 

back in the team. I think it was a 

case of him trying to settle in and 

find his feet coming from a different 

country. He’s settled in now and he’s 

looking confident. 

Christopher Jullien 

He’s a big character and a big player for us. It’s been 

excellent having him back, he has experience and really 

steadies the backline. He’s been a terrific signing for us. His 

record since he came in speaks for itself. He’s got big goals 

in big games and when we need him, he seems to pop up 

with a goal from a set-piece. He’s a major presence and is 

excellent at attacking the ball. I slaughter him every day for 

his goal celebration. When he walks on the training pitch I 

say, ‘here’s big superman coming’ and he laughs. 

Kristoffer Ajer 

Kris has been a fixture in the team for many years now and you 

forget how young he is for someone so experienced. He’s been at 

the heart of everything we’ve won in the last couple of years. He’s 

developed into a top centre-back and he’s a top guy as well. His 

attitude is first class, he’s always doing extra and trying to improve 

his game. He’s emerged as a real leader for us and the biggest 

compliment you can give him is you forget how young he is. 

Nir Bitton 

Nir’s been here long enough that he must be getting close to 

a testimonial now! His consistency and ability to adapt and 

play either in midfield or in defence is incredible. He works 

ever so hard and you can always count on him stepping in 

and playing some nice passes. He’s been a huge help for the 

club over the years. He’s a great character and a fantastic 

guy to have around the club. He’s been here for a number of 

years and he’s almost adopted that British mentality as well. 

He’s probably got more contacts in Glasgow than I do! 


Diego Laxalt 

He’s been fantastic. It can be difficult when 

you come in and don’t speak the language 

but his football brain speaks for itself. He 

has a lot of experience, having played in 

major tournaments and at big clubs, so he 

has that natural football instinct. He’s been 

solid in every game he’s played in and, over 

the last few weeks, he’s settled in a bit 

more and is speaking more English. It took 

a few weeks for the boys to get on him for 

his hair. We didn’t want to say anything too 

early so we let him settle. Everyone in the 

team is up for a laugh and gives each other 

a bit of stick and he’s one of the boys. 

Jeremie Frimpong 

When he came on the scene he burst into life and made a 

huge impact. He gave us another dimension with his ability 

to take players on and beat them and get crosses in. We can 

see he’s starting to add that end product to his game as well, 

which is the next stage of his development. We’ve done a 

bit of work with him on that on the training ground and you 

can see that now with him starting to influence things in the 

final third. He’s working hard, staying humble and wanting to 

improve every day. I’m sure if he keeps doing that he’ll have 

a huge career. We see him as a wee brother! Everyone takes 

to him because he’s a bit goofy and still young. He’s always 

laughing and you can’t help but like him. 

Scott Brown 

It’s hard to say something about ‘Broony’ that’s not 

already been said in terms of the longevity of his career 

and what he gives to the club. It’s clear to see he’s a 

total professional, he loves Celtic and gives his life to 

Celtic. He’s been one of the club’s best-ever leaders and 

he deserves to be held in that ilk as well. He’s a top guy 

and has an incredible enthusiasm for life. He comes in 

every day and is ready to work and drive the boys on. 

He loves life and loves his football, so it’s a pleasure to 

be a part of that with him. He’s got more energy than 

anyone I’ve met but part of that is probably down to the 

amount of coffee he drinks, no matter what time of day 

it is he’s having a coffee! 


41

David Turnbull 

He was excellent in the game against Lille and scored his first 

goal as a Celtic player. That’s a huge moment for a young 

player so hopefully, he can take a lot of confidence from that 

and keep building. He’s humble and a hard worker so I’m 

sure he’s going to have a huge career. He’s shown so much 

promise already and it’s our jobs as the experienced ones to 

keep pushing him and keep nurturing him along. He looks 

like he’s going to have a great career at Celtic. 

Ismaila Soro 

His game time has been a bit limited but he keeps working hard every 

day and his time will come. You see him when he plays, he’s that kind 

of combative midfield player. He gets about the pitch, he makes tackles, 

keeps it simple and he looks like a real good player. He’s got a great 

personality as well, everyone has really taken to him. He has a bubbly 

character and he’s great for the players to be around. He’s always 

pushing and when he’s asked to play, you can see how hard he tries. 

Ryan Christie 

He came in as a young kid and developed into a top player. Those couple 

of loan spells gave him that game time. When he came back, he came 

back with a bang and he’s been in the team ever since. He’s shown his 

importance to the team and he always has a great enthusiasm every day 

in training. His energy is an important contribution to the team along 

with everything else he brings but that desire he shows in games to press 

and get up and down the pitch is exactly what you want from every 

player. He’s another one who has a very bubbly personality. It was good 

fun doing the Christmas ad with him. It can always come across a bit 

cringe if you don’t commit to it so we just went all in and had a laugh. 

Tom Rogic 

He’s not a quiet guy but he likes his space from the media so people 

probably don’t hear much from him. He’s so talented, his feet are 

absolutely magic and he’s someone who can change a game in a 

heartbeat for us. He has these moments of genius, he can leave us 

all shocked with the things he does from time-to-time. He’s been so 

important over the last four or five years and he’s had some massive 

moments for the club and iconic ones as well. As long as he’s fit 

and in the team, we always have a good chance because he can 

create opportunities out of seemingly nothing. 


Mohamed Elyounoussi 

Moi is a lovely guy. He is similar to Kris Ajer in that you have these 

Scandinavian players who are almost British. He kind of falls into that category 

like Kris and Mikael Lustig when he was here. There are similarities with the 

cultures between the Scandinavians and the British so they fit in well. I have a 

close relationship with him, we get on really well and like similar things so we’ll 

talk about a lot more than just football. He’s had a great impact since he came 

to the club and he’s an excellent player with so much to offer the team. 

Albian Ajeti 

Albian is that type of striker who sniffs goals and he 

has great instincts and intelligence to be in the right 

place at the right time. His positioning is top class 

and when he gets chances, he finishes them. He has 

a great return in terms of goals to minutes. He has a 

great personality and always has a story or two tell 

the boys which goes down well. The next stage for 

him is to keep getting fitter and be on the pitch more 

and more where I’m sure he’ll have a huge impact. 

Odsonne Edouard 

Odsonne is hugely talented and the success he’s had the club so far has been 

brilliant. Similar to Tom, he does has these moments of individual brilliance where 

he can beat one or two players and put the ball in the top corner. His finishing is 

excellent and I’m sure he’ll continue to improve while having a huge impact on 

the season. He’s a really good guy as well and is quite funny. I don’t think many 

people would know that about him but he’s a funny character and has these wee 

moments of laughter and fun. He fits in with the team and everyone has a lot of 

respect for him. He’s very laid back, I think Monday to Friday for him is resting for 

the weekend. He doesn’t waste any energy but you know he’s ready for the game 

and his record speaks for itself. 

Conor Hazard 

Conor’s come up through the academy and developed into an excellent 

‘keeper. He has a great attitude and puts the work in. He’s benefited 

from working with ‘Woodsy’ over the years and we can all see how he’s 

progressed from working with a top goalkeeping coach. The ‘keepers 

around him that he trains with every day have been great for him and you 

can see how they all push each other on. The loan spells have been great 

for him experience wise and it’ll give him confidence too. His performances 

have been good in the games he’s played and you can see everyone trusts 

in his ability. He’s well-liked in the dressing room and he has a mature head 

on his shoulders, so he has all the attributes to keep progressing well. 


43

Scott Bain 

Bainy’s a top guy and a top goalkeeper. He 

gets on well with everyone in the dressing 

room and knows how to make the boys 

laugh. He works hard every day and has a 

good attitude. All the positions in the team 

are competitive, including the goalkeeper 

position, and you can see how hard he 

works for the team. He’s a calm head and 

has helped the team out countless times 

over the past few seasons with some 

important saves. 

Shane Duffy 

‘Duffers’ has bonded with the whole the team really well. 

He’s got a presence about him and has those natural 

leadership qualities that you want from a Celtic player. He 

loves the club and you can see how much it means to him 

to play for Celtic. He’s an experienced international and you 

can see that in training and in games. His heading ability is 

phenomenal too. He’s given us another string to our bow 

in terms of scoring goals. Every time we get a corner you 

feel he’s going to get on the end of it. He does that in both 

boxes as well so it’s a great asset to have in the team. 

Greg Taylor 

He’s been great since he came in and has the right attitude. He 

works ever so hard in the games to get up and down the pitch. 

It’s a tough position to play in but Greg always puts a shift in with 

his attacking contributions and his defensive work. He’s willing to 

take players on and that’s what fans want to see in a Celtic player. 

He’s assisted with quite a few goals so far this season, so his play 

adds another dynamic to the team in terms of the different ways 

we can create chances. 

Patryk Klimala 

Patryk is a hard worker and he’s made great progress this 

year. He had to bide his time for chances in the team when 

he first arrived but he’s put the work in during training every 

day. He’s realised how physical the British game can be and 

he’s gone away and worked on his strength. Whenever 

he plays you know he’s going to press teams and chase 

down every ball. He’s scored some great goals so far this 

season and he’s got that hunger to keep scoring more and 

improving. Competition for places is high, but Patryk has the 

work ethic to earn his opportunities and he’s still relatively 

young so he’s going to keep improving. 


45


MEET 

MY 

MATES 

Experienced Hearts and Scotland forward 

Steven Naismith introduces us to his 

Tynecastle team-mates. 

Words: By Phil Turnbull | Head of Communications, Hearts 


47

Craig Gordon 

There’s not anything bad you can say about 

‘Craigy’. I’ve known him since coming 

through with Scotland and I understand 

he’s a great goalie, he just gets on with it 

and never says no to anybody. I think since 

he’s come back a lot of the younger players 

have looked up to him and been a wee bit 

starstruck, but then they’re surprised 

that he’s just a normal guy. That is 

Craig in a nutshell: quiet, goes about 

his business and just lets his football do 

the talking. 

Michael Smith 

‘Smudge’ has got a wealth of 

experience and has made the rightback 

spot his own since he first 

walked into the club. It’s great for 

him and the club that he regularly 

plays international football for 

Northern Ireland and he’ll be a 

big player for us as we aim to go 

straight back up. Rumour has it, 

though, that his wife owns all the 

trousers in their house... but I’m sure 

that’s not true. 

Aidy White 

Another in the Craig Gordon category. 

Quiet guy, comes in and does his 

business, very professional. The one 

thing about Aidy, which I’ve had a 

few conversations with him about, is 

his barnet. It needs to go. He’s having 

a second baby so that might be what 

pushes him over the edge. The baby 

will come along and that ten seconds he 

normally spends on spreading his hair will 

not be happening because he won’t have 

the time or enthusiasm for it. 

John Souttar 

What can be said about John Souttar? 

John Souttar’s opinion of himself is; very 

mature, very wise, very intelligent, very 

knowledgeable. All wrong. John Souttar is 

immature, like a young Jack Russell. Eager to 

please, will be manipulated by others but he 

can’t actually see it. I’d call him the fall guy. 

If there is anything going on then John will 

be involved and his fingerprints will be all 

over it. But he is somebody you can rely on. 

Peter Haring 

In some respects he can be quite a cool 

guy. He doesn’t overly care what people 

think of him, as you can see by his long 

hair. And his glasses. And his beanie hats. 

He does what he wants and I like that 

about Pete. We share a love of coffee. 

He’s recently joined my category of 

coffee machine so he’s upped his game 

a bit. As a footballer there is probably 

nobody else in the squad like him. He’s 

the calmest in possession. 

Christophe Berra 

The big man has taken a few blows over the 

last couple of years. He’s come back from 

an injury and then went out on loan. The 

biggest thing about his character is that he’s 

just fought back. He’s back in the squad, 

and deservedly so. As you get older it gets 

tougher and you need to make sure you 

are ready, which he has done. Yes, some 

will question that he’s boring and his music 

choices aren’t to everyone’s tastes but as 

I get older, I find myself liking his taste in 

music more. 


Jamie Walker 

The most infuriating man on the pitch 

when he wants to be. He’ll moan about 

every decision. If you didn’t know him 

then you’d think he was quite quiet but, 

wow, what goes on behind those eyes is 

something else. In these times you need to 

have a shower at home because we’re not 

allowed to do it at training. It’s been known 

for Jamie Walker to go home, not have a 

shower and go straight to bed. That says 

everything you need to know about Jamie 

Walker. 

Olly Lee 

Olly went out on loan last season but 

he’s come back into the group and is a 

big character. He’s loud and very good 

at getting the boys involved with wee 

games and football-related things. He’s 

been missed over the last year and it’s 

good to have him return. He’s slipped 

back into the squad very nicely. 

Liam Boyce 

‘Boycie’ is someone who has taken 

my advice on board and has 

shaved his hair, unlike Aidy. 

‘Boycie’ obviously decided the 

days of him looking like a Little 

Britain character were over and 

took the plunge, shaved the hair, 

has grown a beard and is looking 

really manly. He’s a top player. 

Somebody who has probably 

been underrated in his career. His 

understanding and reading of the 

game is very good. 

Jordan Roberts 

The best-smelling man in the squad. 

Every day he comes in with a new 

aftershave. It must cost him a small 

fortune, I’d imagine. If you asked 

anyone in the squad then that’s what 

they would attach to him; his aftershave 

collection is fantastic. 

Ross Stewart 

Nickname; ‘Cheesy’. ‘Cheesy’ is… he’s 

a pain in the backside, that’s what he 

is. If he asks me any more questions 

about Everton… it’s like having a fan at 

training. He’ll come up and ask a normal 

question and follow it up with a fanbased 

question. But, seriously, he’s come 

into the squad and has been brilliant. 

He appreciates the opportunity he’s 

got. He’s settled in really well, gets on 

with everyone and he’s involved with 

everything. A good character in the 

squad. 

Craig Wighton 

‘Wighty’s’ actually really funny. Anybody 

looking at him would just think he’s 

another guy in the squad but he’s 

really witty and his wee one-liners are 

tremendous. He’s found it really tough 

coming in but this season has been 

brilliant for him. He had a massive impact 

in getting us to the final and he’s taken 

his opportunity. It’s great to see him 

relax and be that guy. 


49

Andy Halliday 

Some will make out that he’s got a bit of a 

reputation but Andy’s settled in really well 

and he’s an easy character to get along 

with. Best thing I like about Andy is 

he comes in every week with a trivia 

question from his media appearances, 

and I’ve normally got it by the end of 

training. So Andy brings that to the 

party. Seriously though, he’s brought 

more experience to the midfield and 

his history of playing in big games 

will help us in the final. 

Andy Irving 

Another good guy. He’s probably 

been the one, since I’ve been here, 

that has appreciated most the 

opportunity he’s got in the firstteam. 

Every season he’s come back 

fitter and better. He’s getting more 

of a chance and understanding 

the game better and doing really 

well, but he’s always keen to learn. 

He’s also got a dark side. We made 

a playlist at the start of the season 

and some of his picks were quite 

alternative, quite rocky… definitely 

a wee dark side there that nobody 

knows about. 

Stephen 

Kingsley 

I knew Stephen from Scotland. He 

was younger coming through and 

very quiet. He’s been a great signing 

for us and it’s good to see him back 

playing after having a shocker of a 

time with injury. He’s in the Craigy 

and Aidy category: an all-round 

good guy. And a strong character. 

Bobby Zlamal 

Bobby’s different, but he’s different in a 

good way. He’s come to the club and got 

involved with everything and everyone, but 

he’ll sometimes have his moments where he 

just doesn’t understand whatever situation 

you’re in. It’s brought a few funny moments. 

Elliott Frear 

Elliott’s a really nice guy. He’s given up a 

lot to come and play for us this season, in 

terms of being away from his family. He’s 

had a couple of injuries that have held him 

back but he’s someone who will just get 

on with it, work hard and try to get back 

involved. 

Jamie Brandon 

Jamie’s a young pro who has to deal with 

everything that comes along with being a 

young pro these days; not getting a lot of 

days off, playing reserve games and he’s 

had a bad injury. But he’s reliable and he’ll 

give you 100 per cent every day. He’s now 

moving into the next stage of his life where 

he’s settling down, moving into a house 

with his missus… that’s probably his biggest 

challenge at the moment! 

Craig Halkett 

That big, strong centre-half who goes out 

on a Saturday and gets involved in fights 

with 6ft strikers, will put his head on 

anything, then goes home and is absolutely 

owned by his wee dog, Reuben. Who he’s 

got a matching jacket with. A winter jacket, 

that he has, his dog Reuben also has! As 

much as he’s a warrior on the pitch, he’s a 

big softie off it. He went through a period 

of having the tightest groins at the club and 

needed them pampered every morning for a 

year. I’m glad to say he’s moved away from 

that now. He’s toughened up. 


Lewis Moore 

Moorey’s had it really tough in his 

personal life over the past couple of 

years. Since I’ve been at the club he’s 

always been on the fringes but he’s often 

featured when there has been a crisis so 

he’s not ever had a fair shot at game time. 

It’s good that he’s around the squad this 

year. Another one who is settling down 

with his missus. I’ve heard a fair few 

conversations about his good lady, so he’s 

certainly loved up. 

Mihai Popescu 

‘Big Pops’ had to isolate for 14 

days when he signed but when he 

eventually got here he settled well. He’s 

experienced Scottish football before 

so he understands the banter and the 

way everything works. He’s been in 

and out of the team, which can be 

tough, but he’s always ready when 

the manager calls upon him. 

Josh Ginnelly 

‘Gino’. Ooft. The first day he came in I thought we were 

signing Ronaldo. The way he was dressed, the way he 

carried himself… my honest opinion of when he walked 

in was: ‘Who is this walloper? This will be fun, I’ll not be 

taking to this guy whatsoever!’ But all of my perceptions 

of him were wrong. He’s a great guy. A very lively character 

but it’s needed and he’s been a breath of fresh air since he 

came in. Would have himself top of the category for a lot; 

looks, ability, banter. Arguably, he’s not at the top of any of 

them! He’s started well this season before getting injured 

but he’s on his way back, he sees the opportunity for him 

and I think he feels at home here. The longer that ‘Gino’ is 

here the better. 

Euan Henderson 

Some of the most interesting conversations I’ve heard at 

this club have been sitting at the same lunch table as Euan 

Henderson and Callumn Morrison. Some of the thought 

processes that go on in their heads are unbelievable. This 

sums ‘Hendo’ up: a few years ago, after the final game of 

the season at Kilmarnock, he got left behind. The bus left 

without him because ‘Hendo’ thought his dad was picking 

him up. He wasn’t. Our media guys gave him a lift back as 

far as Glasgow and ‘Hendo’ just slept in the back seat, then 

got on the train in his Hearts trackie, bootbag under his arm. 

Scott McGill 

Quiet as a mouse. To be fair, any time the younger boys 

were in training with us you could see that Scott had ability. 

He’s slightly old-fashioned in that he’s got a bit of dig about 

him, doesn’t try too hard to do fancy things but just does 

things right. He needs to stop getting done in possession 

boxes at training though. The worst players move down 

the boxes and Scotty does a round robin every day. He gets 

sucked in by Jig and the senior players. He’s come in and 

taken his chance and he’s rightly involved. Really needs to 

learn to drive though. Who is nearly 19 and can’t drive? 


51


History 

Celtic’s William Hill Scottish Cup record is remarkable 

No club in Scotland 

has won the famous 

old trophy more 

than the Parkhead 

outfit, who are 

aiming for their 40th final 

triumph with what would 

be an unprecedented fourth 

successive victory in the 

competition. The Hoops have 

also been runners-up 18 times. 

However, today’s opponents Hearts 

enjoyed the first of their eight Scottish 

Cup Final wins the year before Celtic 

got up and running in the tournament. 

In 1891, in the first season of the 

Scottish Football League, the Jambos 

beat Dumbarton 1-0 at the second 

Hampden Park with Willie Mason 

scoring early in the first half. 

With the league in its infancy, the 

Scottish Cup was still the country’s 

most prestigious competition and 

Hearts fans especially enjoyed 

the 3-1 win over Edinburgh rivals 

Hibernian in the final at New Logie 

Green five years later. 

The first decade of the 20th century 

saw the Tynecastle men winning 

the trophy twice, beating Celtic 4-3 at 

Ibrox in 1901 and overcoming Third 

Lanark 1-0 in 1906. However, Hearts 

would wait 50 years to win it again. 

Celtic’s first Scottish Cup success came 

in 1892 - four years after the club’s first 

game - with a win over the country’s 

top team at that time, Queen’s 

Park, who had already racked up nine 

trophy wins and had yet to lose a final. 

The first game at Ibrox was voided 

due to crowd encroachment and the 

Parkhead side ran out convincing 5-1 

winners in the second encounter. 

The Scotsman’s report read: “After a 

series of postponements and delays 

almost without precedent in the history 

of the competition, the question of 

the custody of the Scottish Cup for 

the next year was finally settled on 

Saturday, when the Celtic capped their 

brilliant season’s form by defeating 

the Queen’s Park by the large majority 

of five goals to one. The Parkhead 

men have struggled manfully for the 

honour, which they thus secure for the 

first time, and there can be no dispute 

as to their right to secure the custody 

of the national trophy.” 

By the First World War, Celtic had won 

the tournament another eight times, 

highlights including a 3-0 win over 

Hearts in 1907 and two final victories 

over Old Firm rivals Rangers. 

The Glasgow club’s thirst for success in 

the competition and others continued 

between the wars with another six cup 

final wins. 

Celtic’s 1-0 win over Aberdeen in 1937 

was watched by a crowd of 147,365, a 

European record for a club match. 


Willie Buchan, who scored the 

only goal of the game, was later 

quoted as saying: “Even now I still 

remember the incredible volume of 

sound that greeted us as we ran onto 

the field. I had never heard anything 

like it and initially I found myself 

slightly overawed. 

“The memory of my winning goal is 

still vivid in my mind too. The ball was 

played through from our own half and 

Jimmy McGrory flicked it on, allowing 

me to move in on the ‘keeper from the 

right hand side of the area. The two 

full-backs closed in and I remember as 

the ‘keeper came out, the goal seemed 

to become smaller, I just managed to 

squeeze the ball past him and in off 

the post.” 

When Scottish Cup football resumed 

in 1946-47 after the Second World 

War, Celtic won the tournament twice 

before the Hoops met Hearts in the 

1956 final at Hampden Park. 

It was the Edinburgh side’s first 

appearance in the final since they lost 

to the Glasgow giants in 1907 and this 

time the Tynecastle men, including 

the ‘Terrible Trio’ of Willie Bauld, Alfie 

Conn and Jimmy Wardhaugh, won 

3-1 in front of another huge crowd 

of 132,840. 

Ian Crawford scored twice before 

Mike Haughney reduced the deficit, 

but Conn’s counter 10 minutes 

from the end ensured the cup 

returned to Gorgie for the first time 

in half a century. 

The Parkhead club did not win 

another final until 1965 and it 

is widely believed that the 3-2 win 

over Dunfermline at Hampden Park, 

thanks to a Billy McNeill winner, the 

first trophy win since 1957 and Jock 

Stein’s first cup win as Hoops boss, was 

the catalyst for a decade of domestic 

domination and European success. 

Bertie Auld, who scored twice against 

the Pars, told Celtic’s website: “The 

1965 Scottish Cup Final was so 

important to me personally and to 

Celtic Football Club itself. The club 

hadn’t won anything since 1957 at 

that point and you could see what the 

game meant to the Celtic supporters. 

“They say there were 135,000 

supporters there in 1965 and the 

experience of scoring and looking 

around the crowd, in every part of 

the stadium, was awesome and that 

never goes away. To me, that image is 

ingrained in my heart.” 


53

After ending their cup drought, Celtic 

won the Scottish Cup another 12 

times before Hearts succeeded again 

in 1998 with a 2-1 win over a Rangers 

side which had fallen short of a 10th 

successive title bid. 

After the victory at Celtic Park, 

Hearts boss Jim Jefferies, said: “Our 

tactics were spot-on. We had lost 13 

goals to Rangers this season so we 

decided to let them try to break us 

down. We gave them a problem but 

after Ally McCoist scored it was the 

longest 10 minutes of my life.” 

Hearts have won the cup a further 

twice since, a penalty-kicks win over 

Gretna in 2006 after a 1-1 draw, and 

the famous 5-1 win over Edinburgh 

rivals Hibernian in 2012. 

Celtic have won the cup nine times 

since the turn of the century and lost 

only one final, to Rangers in 2002. 

When Tom Rogic scored 

a stunning injury-time winner against 

Aberdeen in the 2017 final it clinched 

an historic undefeated domestic treble. 

After the dramatic 2-1 win, in a 

week that Celtic celebrated the 

50th anniversary of the Lisbon Lions 

becoming the first British club to win 

the European Cup, boss Brendan 

Rodgers said: “Maybe the stars were 

aligned this year with it being the 

anniversary year for Celtic and there 

was just a feeling about this season. 

But don’t get me wrong - we’ve had to 

earn it. We had to work hard. 

“We are elated. It was a very tough 

game and to win it the way we did 

was special.” 

When Celtic and Hearts met in last 

season’s final, the Parkhead club were 

still riding high, looking to complete an 

unprecedented domestic treble treble. 

Ryan Edwards gave the Gorgie side 

the lead but the Hoops flexed their 

muscles again and an Odsonne 

Edouard double, the first from the 

penalty spot, made it a 39th 

Scottish Cup Final victory. 

Neil Lennon, who was offered 

the post as Hoops manager on a 

permanent basis after the game, said: 

“It’s probably one of the best days of 

my life. You will never see it again. 

They are immortal now.” 

Today, amid very different 

circumstances, the two clubs meet for 

the fifth time in the delayed final with 

two wins apiece. 

Although the Hampden Park stands 

will sadly be empty due to Coronavirus 

restrictions, both sets of players 

will know their fans around the 

country and beyond will be glued to 

their television screens or radios, as 

Scotland’s national cup competition 

readies itself to produce another set 

of heroes and another entrant for the 

record books. 



55

GIVE THE KIDS 

A CHANCE 

Money is being raised to help ensure young 

footballers continue to play through the pandemic 

STUART McCAFFREY OF THE SCOTTISH FOOTBALL 

PARTNERSHIP HAS A STRAIGHTFORWARD 

ATTITUDE TOWARDS THE FEARED REDUCTION OF 

KIDS’ FOOTBALL DUE TO COVID-19’S IMPACT ON 

GRASSROOTS FINANCES: “WE CAN’T ALLOW THAT 

TO HAPPEN”. 

The SFP chief operating 

officer acknowledges there has 

been a downturn in player and 

volunteer numbers from prelockdown 

levels as the pandemic 

continues to take its toll. And 

he wants to ensure they fall no 

further. 

McCaffrey is passionate about 

the Give for Grassroots initiative 

set up in September by the 

Scottish FA with support from 

its charity partner, the Scottish 

Football Partnership Trust, which 

will manage the monies donated 

to the fund, all of which go 

directly towards children’s 

grassroots football in Scotland. 

Early next year he will help 

distribute the much-needed 

cash to help ensure young 

footballers, their coaches and 

helpers have the opportunity 

to remain in the game while 

the world waits to return to 

normality. The fund can also 

be accessed to cover critical 

equipment and facility costs. 

The former Inverness, St 

Johnstone and Morton 

defender said: “The fund sits 

about £60,000 at the moment, 

including a £5,000 donation 

from PFA Scotland. 

“The plan is for clubs to contact 

us in January and highlight 

if they require support. That 

could be fees for young kids to 

participate in the season ahead 

or something else to allow 

their participation to continue. 

“Along with support from 

Sport First Aid and sportscotland, 

we are trying to bring in a range 

of support that is going to help 

the clubs. 

“It is a package of support to 

try to make sure the clubs are 

there and the kids can get out 

on the pitch, that is the most 

important thing. 

“We were privy to a survey of 

clubs in September and around 

56 per cent of clubs - a big 

number - who responded 

indicated they were facing a 

critical challenge financially and 

another probably more 

glaring statistic is in terms of 

kids it is possibly a 23 per cent 

reduction in the ability of kids 

to participate, which is a huge 

number. 

“There is a risk to coach 

volunteers as well, as it costs to 

be a coach and not just in terms 

of the time they put into it. So 

we can’t allow that drop off. We 

can’t allow that to happen.” 


McCaffrey recognises 

the ongoing challenges of clubs 

throughout the country in these 

Coronavirus-affected times 

to raise funds from typical 

events like race nights, 

auctions and raffles. 

He also points out the wider 

ramifications of redundancies 

up and down the country in 

terms of the ability of parents 

and coaches to fund their love 

of football. 

McCaffrey said: “Grassroots 

clubs could be £12,000 - 

£15,000 down this year and that 

puts pressure on them. 

“We have over 800 clubs 

participating at grassroots level 

under the age of 18 and north 

of 4,000 teams. 

“We recognise those more likely 

to suffer are those from a more 

disadvantaged background. 

Sadly many people have lost 

their jobs and that could be a 

burden, so it’s a critical fund. 

“We have to do everything we 

can to make sure those kids 

get a chance to participate. It is 

really important.” 

McCaffrey remains optimistic 

about football clubs’ abilities 

to survive the toughest of 

challenges. 

He said: “The collaboration 

of people like ourselves and 

the Scottish FA and other 

partners who want to help is 

encouraging. 

“It is quite incredible how 

football at those levels finds 

new ways to not only help other 

people’s problems during the 

pandemic, but also to adapt 

what they do to make sure the 

kids can participate in a safe 

manner. 

“The enthusiasm is still there 

from the volunteers who drive 

“IT IS A PACKAGE OF 

SUPPORT TO TRY TO 

MAKE SURE THE CLUBS 

ARE THERE AND THE KIDS 

CAN GET OUT ON THE 

PITCH, THAT IS THE MOST 

IMPORTANT THING” 

things forward. We haven’t 

dampened that spirit. 

“What we have to do is make 

sure we support that spirit and 

they don’t have to tell kids 

they can’t participate any more 

because we as a club can’t 

afford to fund your activity. We 

will do everything we can to 

support them. 

“For young kids who play 

football, March is usually their 

starting point so we need to 

make sure we have things in 

place so there is no negative 

effects on those kids.” 


57

protecting 

community 

cornerstones 

Danny Bisland believes the reach of football in 

Scotland can help play its part in limiting the spread of 

Covid-19 throughout the country 

THE SCOTTISH FA, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH 

SPORTSCOTLAND, THIS WEEK LAUNCHED A NEW 

ONLINE LEARNING TOOL DESIGNED TO EMPOWER 

YOUNG FOOTBALLERS IN SCOTLAND WITH THE 

KNOWLEDGE TO CURTAIL THE DEBILITATING VIRUS. 

The Coronavirus Awareness 

Information e-learning module is 

for players and participants over 

the age of 13, and all parents 

and/or carers are also advised to 

undertake this course if they or 

their children are to participate in 

sports training, competitions and 

other events. 

The course is influenced by 

good work already done in the 

field by the Norwegian Football 

Federation and it looks to further 

educate grassroots players 

on mitigating the spread of 

Covid-19. 

Bisland, national club growth 

manager at the Scottish FA, is 

confident that the popularity 

of football in Scotland will help 

take the message further afield. 

He said: “Football clubs are the 

cornerstone of our community 

and very often the best way to 

reach parts of society is via the 

football club. 

“We think this is probably one 

of the greatest opportunities 

that we will have to help deliver 

government messaging because 

the reach will be so huge. 

“Sportscotland spoke to us 

about doing Covid officer 

training and we thought it was 

a good way to get sport safely 

back, from grassroots clubs 

up to senior level, with a mix 

between coaches and officials 

at the clubs. 

“We ended up getting an 

uptake of 14,500 signing up for 

that which is incredible. 

“I think it was 20,000 in total 

for sport so we were 75 per 

cent of all sports. 

“The clubs have done an 

incredible amount of work to 

make the environment as safe 

as they possibly can. 

“They have got Covid officers 

in place who are really good 

at educating people and this is 


just another string to the bow to 

make sure that happens. 

“This course won’t change the 

world but it will show that the 

clubs, parents, coaches are doing 

all that they possibly can to stop 

the spread of the virus. 

“If you take every club in the 

country and every player over 

the age of 13 and every parent 

and carer, we could well reach in 

excess of 100,000 people who 

could potentially do the course. 

“And I’m pretty confident if 

you take football, rugby, and 

all the other sports and say we 

will give you an opportunity 

to do it at schools it could be 

fairly substantial in terms of 

the numbers. 

“There is very little else taking 

place around Scotland that will 

reach as many people in terms 

of training and education 

around Covid. 


59

“The Norwegian FA have 

been brilliant with us. They 

shared everything they had 

with us and it is great that 

national associations across 

Europe are reaching out across 

Europe to assist each other in 

this time of need.” 

The content contained in the 

course is based on Scottish 

Government’s Coronavirus 

(Covid-19): Scotland’s Strategic 

Framework. 

The focus will be on key public 

health messages with the aim 

of suppressing the virus to the 

lowest possible level and keeping 

it there, while the country strives 

to return to normality, as the 

mass roll out of the Covid-19 

vaccine gets under way 

Bisland said: “We will offer this 

to anyone over the age of 13, all 

the way up to adult players, and 

we are also asking parents and 

carers to do it just so that when 

the they turn up for training or 

games they know what they 

have to do. 

“The vaccine may not kick in to 

wider society until next Spring 

so even if this gives four or five 

months of football clubs being 

able to go back and operate 

really safely, that is what we are 

trying to do.” 

Local restriction tier systems 

means there is a lack of 

uniformity around the country 

in terms of which level of 

football is allowed to currently 

take place although no parents, 

carers or spectators are allowed 

at matches. 

Bisland is keen for every club 

to be prepared and ready to 

welcome them back to the safest 

environment possible. 

He said: “There is a fair mix. 

There are parts of the country 

like Glasgow, Tier 3, where 

grassroots players have not been 

able to get back but in Aberdeen 

or the Highlands they are back. 

“We appreciate that there are 

parts of the game who have 

been unable to return due to 

government restrictions and 

we have been doing everything 

within our power to try and get 

people back on the pitch during 

this tough time. 

“We want this to be a tool that 

helps with that - that clubs can 

use to further educate their 

players, parents and carers to 

make the environment as safe as 

we possibly can for everyone. 

The more people that learn 

about how to limit the spread 

in football through this course, 

the more we can reduce the 

impact of the virus and get 

players back on the football 

pitch to enjoy themselves.” 

To take the course, visit 

www.scottishfa.co.uk/ 

football-development/return- 

to-football-hub/covid-19- 

elearning/ 

Or scan the QR code below: 


61

BY 

NUMBERS 

Celtic have won the cup 39 times. The most of any 

club in Scotland 

Hearts have brought the 

trophy back to Tynecastle 

eight times. Only Celtic, 

Rangers and Queen’s 

Park have won it more 

Hearts and Celtic have 

faced each other four times 

in Scottish Cup Finals with 

two wins apiece 

matches played in the 

2019-20 William Hill 


Hearts have scored nine 

times in the 2019-20 

William Hill Scottish Cup 

Both clubs have 

conceded just one goal 

each in their cup run 

Different clubs have won 

the Scottish Cup 

Celtic have been 

runners-up 18 times 

Hearts have been 

runners-up seven times 

Penicuik Athletic’s Sean 

Stewart is the top scorer 

with six goals if you 

count preliminary rounds 

goals so far in the whole 

competition 

Celtic have scored two 

goals in each of the last 

three winning finals and 

lost only two in total 

The number of teams 

who entered the first 

competition in 1873-74 


63

SCOTTISH CUP 

PAST WINNERS 1874-2019 

1873-74 

QUEEN’S PARK 

2-0 V CLYDESDALE 

HAMPDEN PARK 

1874-75 


3-0 V RENTON 

HAMPDEN PARK 

1875-76 


1-1 V 3RD LANARK RV 

R: 2-0 (HP) 

HAMILTON CRESCENT 

1876-77 

VALE OF LEVEN 

1-1 V RANGERS 

R: 1-1 2R: 3-2 (HP) 

HAMILTON CRESCENT 

1877-78 

VALE OF LEVEN 

1-0 V 3RD LANARK RV 

HAMPDEN PARK 

1878-79 

VALE OF LEVEN 

1-1 V RANGERS 

R: WO 

HAMPDEN PARK 

1879-80 


3-0 V THORNLIEBANK 

HAMPDEN PARK 

1880-81 


2-1 ‡ V DUMBARTON 

R: 3-1 

KINNING PARK 

1881-82 


2-2 V DUMBARTON 

R: 4-1 

CATHKIN PARK 

1882-83 

DUMBARTON 

2-2 V VALE OF LEVEN 

R: 2-1 

HAMPDEN PARK 

1883-84 


WO V VALE OF LEVEN 

CATHKIN PARK 

1884-85 

RENTON 


R: 3-1 

HAMPDEN PARK 

1885-86 


3-1 V RENTON 

CATHKIN PARK 

1886-87 

HIBERNIAN 


HAMPDEN PARK 

1887-88 

RENTON 

6-1 V CAMBUSLANG 

HAMPDEN PARK 

1888-89 

3RD LANARK RV 

3-0 ‡ V CELTIC 

R: 2-1 

HAMPDEN PARK 

1889-90 



R: 2-1 

IBROX PARK 

1890-91 

HEART OF 

MIDLOTHIAN 


HAMPDEN PARK 

1891-92 

CELTIC 

1-0 ‡ V QUEEN’S PARK 

R: 5-1 

IBROX PARK 

1892-93 


0-1 ‡ V CELTIC 

R: 2-1 

IBROX PARK 

1893-94 

RANGERS 

3-1 V CELTIC 

HAMPDEN PARK 

1894-95 

ST BERNARD’S 

2-1 V RENTON 

IBROX PARK 

1895-96 

HEART OF 

MIDLOTHIAN 

3-1 V HIBERNIAN 

NEW LOGIE GREEN 

1896-97 

RANGERS 


HAMPDEN PARK 

1897-98 

RANGERS 

2-0 V KILMARNOCK 

HAMPDEN PARK 

1898-99 

CELTIC 

2-0 V RANGERS 

HAMPDEN PARK 

1899-1900 

CELTIC 

4-3 V QUEEN’S PARK 

IBROX PARK 

1900-01 

HEART OF 

MIDLOTHIAN 

4-3 V CELTIC 

IBROX PARK 

1901-02 

HIBERNIAN 

1-0 V CELTIC 

CELTIC PARK 

1902-03 

RANGERS 

1-1 V HEART OF 

MIDLOTHIAN 

R: 0-0 2R: 2-0 

CELTIC PARK 

1903-04 

CELTIC 

3-2 V RANGERS 

HAMPDEN PARK 

1904-05 

THIRD LANARK 

0-0 V RANGERS 

R: 3-1 

HAMPDEN PARK 

1905-06 

HEART OF 

MIDLOTHIAN 

1-0 V THIRD LANARK 

IBROX PARK 

1906-07 

CELTIC 


MIDLOTHIAN 

HAMPDEN PARK 

1907-08 

CELTIC 

5-1 V ST MIRREN 

HAMPDEN PARK 

1909-10 

DUNDEE 

2-2 V CLYDE 

R: 0-0* 2R: 2-1 

IBROX PARK 

1910-11 

CELTIC 

0-0 V HAMILTON 

ACADEMICAL 

R: 2-0 

IBROX PARK 

1911-12 

CELTIC 

2-0 V CLYDE 

IBROX PARK 

1912-13 

FALKIRK 

2-0 V RAITH ROVERS 

CELTIC PARK 

1913-14 

CELTIC 


R: 4-1 

IBROX PARK 

1919-20 

KILMARNOCK 

3-2 V ALBION ROVERS 

HAMPDEN PARK 

1920-21 

PARTICK THISTLE 

1-0 V RANGERS 

CELTIC PARK 

1921-22 

MORTON 

1-0 V RANGERS 

HAMPDEN PARK 

1922-23 

CELTIC 


HAMPDEN PARK 

1923-24 

AIRDRIEONIANS 


IBROX PARK 

1924-25 

CELTIC 

2-1 V DUNDEE 

HAMPDEN PARK 

1925-26 

ST MIRREN 

2-0 V CELTIC 

HAMPDEN PARK 

1926-27 

CELTIC 

3-1 V EAST FIFE 

HAMPDEN PARK 

1927-28 

RANGERS 

4-0 V CELTIC 

HAMPDEN PARK 

1928-29 

KILMARNOCK 

2-0 V RANGERS 

HAMPDEN PARK 

1929-30 

RANGERS 

0-0 V PARTICK THISTLE 

R: 2-1 

HAMPDEN PARK 

1930-31 

CELTIC 

2-2 V MOTHERWELL 

R: 4-2 

HAMPDEN PARK 

1931-32 

RANGERS 


R: 3-0 

HAMPDEN PARK 

1932-33 

CELTIC 


HAMPDEN PARK 

1933-34 

RANGERS 


HAMPDEN PARK 

1934-35 

RANGERS 

2-1 V HAMILTON 

ACADEMICAL 

HAMPDEN PARK 

1935-36 

RANGERS 

1-0 V THIRD LANARK 

HAMPDEN PARK 

1936-37 

CELTIC 

2-1 V ABERDEEN 

HAMPDEN PARK 

1937-38 

EAST FIFE 


R: 4-2* 

HAMPDEN PARK 

1938-39 

CLYDE 


HAMPDEN PARK 

1946-47 

ABERDEEN 


HAMPDEN PARK 


1947-48 

RANGERS 

1-1* V MORTON 

R: 1-0* 

HAMPDEN PARK 

1948-49 

RANGERS 

4-1 V CLYDE 

HAMPDEN PARK 

1949-50 

RANGERS 

3-0 V EAST FIFE 

HAMPDEN PARK 

1950-51 

CELTIC 


HAMPDEN PARK 

1951-52 

MOTHERWELL 

4-0 V DUNDEE 

HAMPDEN PARK 

1952-53 

RANGERS 


R: 1-0 

HAMPDEN PARK 

1953-54 

CELTIC 


HAMPDEN PARK 

1954-55 

CLYDE 

1-1 V CELTIC 

R: 1-0 

HAMPDEN PARK 

1955-56 

HEART OF 

MIDLOTHIAN 

3-1 V CELTIC 

HAMPDEN PARK 

1956-57 

FALKIRK 


R: 2-1* 

HAMPDEN PARK 

1957-58 

CLYDE 


HAMPDEN PARK 

1958-59 

ST MIRREN 


HAMPDEN PARK 

1959-60 

RANGERS 


HAMPDEN PARK 

1960-61 

DUNFERMLINE 

ATHLETIC 

0-0 V CELTIC 

R: 2-0 

HAMPDEN PARK 

1961-62 

RANGERS 


HAMPDEN PARK 

1962-63 

RANGERS 

1-1 V CELTIC 

R: 3-0 

HAMPDEN PARK 

1963-64 

RANGERS 

3-1 V DUNDEE 

HAMPDEN PARK 

1964-65 

CELTIC 

3-2 V DUNFERMLINE 

ATHLETIC 

HAMPDEN PARK 

1965-66 

RANGERS 

0-0 V CELTIC 

R: 1-0 

HAMPDEN PARK 

1966-67 

CELTIC 


HAMPDEN PARK 

1967-68 

DUNFERMLINE 

ATHLETIC 


MIDLOTHIAN 

HAMPDEN PARK 

1968-69 

CELTIC 

4-0 V RANGERS 

HAMPDEN PARK 

1969-70 

ABERDEEN 

3-1 V CELTIC 

HAMPDEN PARK 

1970-71 

CELTIC 

1-1 V RANGERS 

R: 2-1 

HAMPDEN PARK 

1971-72 

CELTIC 


HAMPDEN PARK 

1972-73 

RANGERS 

3-2 V CELTIC 

HAMPDEN PARK 

1973-74 

CELTIC 

3-0 V DUNDEE UNITED 

HAMPDEN PARK 

1974-75 

CELTIC 

3-1 V AIRDRIEONIANS 

HAMPDEN PARK 

1975-76 

RANGERS 


MIDLOTHIAN 

HAMPDEN PARK 

1976-77 

CELTIC 

1-0 V RANGERS 

HAMPDEN PARK 

1977-78 

RANGERS 


HAMPDEN PARK 

1978-79 

RANGERS 


R: 0-0* 2R: 3-2* 

HAMPDEN PARK 

1979-80 

CELTIC 

1-0* V RANGERS 

HAMPDEN PARK 

1980-81 

RANGERS 

0-0* V DUNDEE UNITED 

R: 4-1 

HAMPDEN PARK 

1981-82 

ABERDEEN 


HAMPDEN PARK 

1982-83 

ABERDEEN 


HAMPDEN PARK 

1983-84 

ABERDEEN 

2-1* V CELTIC 

HAMPDEN PARK 

1984-85 

CELTIC 


HAMPDEN PARK 

1985-86 

ABERDEEN 


MIDLOTHIAN 

HAMPDEN PARK 

1986-87 

ST MIRREN 


HAMPDEN PARK 

1987-88 

CELTIC 


HAMPDEN PARK 

1988-89 

CELTIC 

1-0 V RANGERS 

HAMPDEN PARK 

1989-90 

ABERDEEN 

0-0 † V CELTIC 

HAMPDEN PARK 

1990-91 

MOTHERWELL 


HAMPDEN PARK 

1991-92 

RANGERS 


HAMPDEN PARK 

1992-93 

RANGERS 


CELTIC PARK 

1993-94 

DUNDEE UNITED 

1-0 V RANGERS 

HAMPDEN PARK 

1994-95 

CELTIC 


HAMPDEN PARK 

1995-96 

RANGERS 


MIDLOTHIAN 

HAMPDEN PARK 

1996-97 

KILMARNOCK 

1-0 V FALKIRK 

IBROX STADIUM 

1997-98 

HEART OF 

MIDLOTHIAN 

2-1 V RANGERS 

CELTIC PARK 

1998-99 

RANGERS 

1-0 V CELTIC 

HAMPDEN PARK 

1999-00 

RANGERS 


HAMPDEN PARK 

2000-01 

CELTIC 


HAMPDEN PARK 

2001-02 

RANGERS 

3-2 V CELTIC 

HAMPDEN PARK 

2002-03 

RANGERS 

1-0 V DUNDEE 

HAMPDEN PARK 

2003-04 

CELTIC 


ATHLETIC 

HAMPDEN PARK 

2004-05 

CELTIC 


HAMPDEN PARK 

2005-06 

HEART OF 

MIDLOTHIAN 

1-1 † V GRETNA 

HAMPDEN PARK 

2006-07 

CELTIC 


ATHLETIC 

HAMPDEN PARK 


2007-08 

RANGERS 

3-2 V QUEEN OF THE 

SOUTH 

HAMPDEN PARK 

2008-09 

RANGERS 

1-0 V FALKIRK 

HAMPDEN PARK 

2009-10 

DUNDEE UNITED 

3-0 V ROSS COUNTY 

HAMPDEN PARK 

2010-11 

CELTIC 


HAMPDEN PARK 

2011-12 

HEART OF 

MIDLOTHIAN 


HAMPDEN PARK 

2012-13 

CELTIC 


HAMPDEN PARK 

2013-14 

ST JOHNSTONE 


CELTIC PARK 

2014-15 

INVERNESS 

CALEDONIAN 

THISTLE 

2-1 V FALKIRK 

HAMPDEN PARK 

2015-16 

HIBERNIAN 

3-2 V RANGERS 

HAMPDEN PARK 

2016-17 

CELTIC 


HAMPDEN PARK 

2017-18 

CELTIC 


HAMPDEN PARK 

2018-19 

CELTIC 


MIDLOTHIAN 

HAMPDEN PARK 

KEY: ‡ Match void | * Match 

went to extra-time | † 

Match decided by a penalty 

shootout after extra-time | 

WO A walkover or WO is the 

awarding of a victory to a 

contestant because there are 

no other contestants or the 

other contestants have been 

disqualified or have forfeited | 

HP Played at Hampden Park | 

R Replay | 2R Second Replay 

65

SQUADS 

Manager 

NEIL 

LENNON 

Manager 

ROBBIE 

NEILSON 

1 Vasilis Barkas 

2 Christopher Jullien 

3 Greg Taylor 

4 Shane Duffy 

6 Nir Bitton 

8 Scott Brown 

9 Leigh Griffiths 

10 Albian Ajeti 

11 Patryk Klimala 

12 Ismaila Soro 

14 David Turnbull 

17 Ryan Christie 

18 Tom Rogic 

19 Mikey Johnston 

21 Olivier Ntcham 

22 Odsonne Edouard 

27 Mohamed Elyounoussi 

29 Scott Bain 

30 Jeremie Frimpong 

35 Kristoffer Ajer 

42 Callum McGregor 

65 Conor Hazard 

56 Anthony Ralston 

57 Stephen Welsh 

93 Diego Laxalt 

1 Craig Gordon 

2 Michael Smith 

3 Aidan White 

5 Peter Haring 

6 Christophe Berra 

7 Jamie Walker 

8 Oliver Lee 

10 Liam Boyce 

11 Jordan Roberts 

13 Ross Stewart 

14 Steven Naismith 

15 Craig Wighton 

16 Andrew Halliday 

19 Andrew Irving 

21 Stephen Kingsley 

22 Loic Damour 

24 Elliott Frear 

25 Jamie Brandon 

26 Craig Halkett 

27 Lewis Moore 

28 Mihai Popescu 

30 Josh Ginnelly 

31 Euan Henderson 

OFFICIALS 

Referee 

JOHN BEATON 

AR1 

FRANK CONNOR 

AR2 

GRAEME LESLIE 

Fourth Official 

ALAN MUIR 

AAR1 

KEVIN CLANCY 

AAR2 

NICK WALSH 


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Celtic v Hearts, William Hill Scottish Cup Final 2020

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