Dunfermline striker Jim McIntyre insists Celtic's stuttering form will have no bearing on the Tennent's Scottish Cup final.

The Hoops go into Saturday's Hampden clash on the back of six defeats in 11 games.

The relegated Pars are arguably the form team, losing just once in nine matches before defeats in their final two Bank of Scotland Premier League games.

And such improvement under Stephen Kenny is the reason for McIntyre's optimism ahead of the game.

"I think the belief will come from our own form in the last six weeks," he said.

"Celtic have got excellent players, big-time players who are used to playing on this kind of stage regularly, so they know what is required to win these type of games. Their form doesn't come into it."

McIntyre was a crucial part of the Fife club's resurgence in recent months with three goals in nine games.

His serious neck injury in the first half of the season was a factor in the Pars' ultimately unsuccessful battle to beat the drop.

And while the former Dundee United man admits winning the cup would help ease the pain of relegation, they do not need any more motivation to bring the trophy home.

"It would be great if we could win the cup for the fans and maybe soften the blow a bit of getting relegated," he said.

"But regardless of whether you are relegated or not you want to win."

Two things that could spur the Pars on are their final defeats in the last three years against Celtic.

Henrik Larsson scored twice in his last game for the Hoops as they came from behind to win 3-1 in the 2004 final, while the Pars lost 3-0 in last season's CIS Cup final.

McIntyre said: "There are obviously a few players still here from those times.

"They have been through it before and they know what the build up is like so they can maybe pass on that experience to the younger ones."

McIntyre is one player who can pass on his knowledge from two previous Tennent's Scottish Cup final appearances.

The forward turns 35 on Thursday and is eager for another winners' medal to add to his 25th birthday present.

He helped Kilmarnock to a 1-0 win over Falkirk in the 1997 final, two years after losing to Celtic with Airdrie.

"I was 25 when we won it with Killie and it was actually on the day itself, so it was a great birthday present," he said.

"It would be nice to get another one but I'm not counting my chickens."