Celtic and Aberdeen set for Hampden showdown
Celtic v Aberdeen preview
Scottish football’s marquee fixture takes centre stage on Saturday as Celtic, the defending champions, face Aberdeen in the final of the Scottish Cup.
Author | Sean M
Brendan Rodgers’ side lifted the trophy last season with a 1-0 victory over Rangers, courtesy of a dramatic late winner from Adam Idah. Aberdeen, meanwhile, return to the final for the first time since 2017,.a year when they were edged out by Celtic in similarly heart-breaking fashion, as Tom Rogic’s late solo effort clinched the cup.
A history of drama in recent meetings
The two sides are no strangers to high-stakes clashes in this competition. Their most recent encounter came in this year’s semi-final – a pulsating 3-3 draw that went all the way to penalties, with Celtic eventually prevailing after a frenetic contest that showcased the very best of Scottish football.
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In 2020, the sides met behind closed doors in a quarter-final tie, where Ryan Christie’s stunning strike and a composed finish from Mohamed Elyounoussi saw Celtic through. A year earlier, they clashed in another semi-final, though it is the 2017 final that still resonates most with both sets of supporters.
From an Aberdeen perspective, the less said about their meeting in the League Cup semi-final the better.
The 2017 final revisited
That match at Hampden was a classic. Jonny Hayes fired Aberdeen into an early lead with a volley at the back post, only for Stuart Armstrong to level the tie within minutes with a crisp drive from the edge of the area. The final remained finely poised throughout, with both sides creating chances in a gripping, end-to-end affair. But it was Rogic who delivered the decisive moment, weaving his way through the Dons' defence in added time to seal a historic invincible treble for Celtic.
Aberdeen’s storied past in the competition
While Celtic are favourites once again, Aberdeen’s cup pedigree should not be underestimated. The Dons have lifted the trophy seven times, their first triumph dating back to 1947 and their most recent in 1990. A golden era under Sir Alex Ferguson brought four Scottish Cup wins between 1982 and 1986, though they have also suffered defeat in nine finals.
Saturday’s match offers Aberdeen the chance to end a 35-year wait for Scottish Cup glory – but to do so, they will need to overcome a Celtic side accustomed to delivering on the big occasion.
