10 Reasons To Get Excited About The 2015 Scottish Cup Final

Inverness Caledonian Thistle play Falkirk at Hampden Park on Saturday. Only one team will triumph and lift the famous trophy - who will it be?

1. Hampden is back!

The Scottish Cup Final returns to the National Stadium after a brief hop across the River Clyde to Celtic Park for last year’s final. 86 teams have lifted the trophy at Hampden Park – who’ll be the 87th? Inverness Caledonian Thistle or Falkirk?

2. Hurra’ for the Highlands?

No team from the Highlands & Islands has ever had their hands on the Scottish Cup trophy. Ross County came closest when they reached the 2010 final. Can Inverness bring the cup north?

3. Canine support

Because any excuse to show pictures of dogs in football strips is a good by us…

4. There are three clubs in the final

Sort of… Saturday’s game will be watched with interest in Perth and not just because St Johnstone won last year’s trophy. The Saints will qualify for Europe if Inverness (who have already qualified) triumph. If not, it’s the Falkirk fans who will be digging out the suncream and lilos for a Euro adventure.

5. Stein, Smith…Houston?

Falkirk boss Peter Houston won the Scottish Cup with Dundee United back in 2010. If he lifts it again on Saturday he’ll join esteemed company. Only Jock Stein and Alex Smith have won the cup with two different clubs. Impressive!

6. Shinnie says goodbye

After 156 games for the club (and a match-clinching assist in the semi-finals) Inverness captain Graeme Shinnie will play his final game before moving to Aberdeen in the summer. A Scottish Cup winners medal would make a fine leaving present.

7. Brummies backing the Bairns

Falkirk have won the Scottish Cup twice in their history – in 1913 and 1957. On both occasions Aston Villa have also won the FA Cup. Both teams are in their respective cup finals this year. If it happens again we can rule out coincidence and start believing in magic.

8. Back of the Net!

83 Scottish Cup final goals have been scored in the last 30 years – that’s an average of 2.7 goals per game. If you enjoy goalless draws, maybe best give this one a miss.

9. The kids are alright

The average age of Falkirk’s semi-final winning side was 23.9 and all but two players were born in the 1990s. Matchwinner Craig Sibbald (right) had just turned 3 the last time Falkirk were in a cup final in 1997. Expect any celebrations to include Selfie sticks and Calvin Harris.

10. Because it means EVERYTHING to the fans

Our two finalist are no strangers to heartbreak. Inverness lost last year’s League Cup final on penalties and Falkirk have lost two Scottish Cup Finals in the past 18 years. Supporters on both sides are desperate for success and the chance to make history doesn’t come round often. Whoever wins or loses, the atmosphere at Hampden Park will be electric.