Dunfermline manager Stephen Kenny has told his players they have to get over their relegation hangover if they are to have any hope of winning the Tennent's Scottish Cup.

The Pars boss knows his side are still licking their wounds after finally losing the courageous battle to remain in the Bank of Scotland Premier League and have not fully accepted they will be playing in the First Division next season.

But, with silverware at stake, he insists there is no time for his team to feel sorry for themselves or ponder what might have been.

Instead, he has urged them to turn their focus to Saturday's final against Celtic and concentrate on ending what has been a rollercoaster season on a high.

He said: "I wouldn't say the players are over it yet - everyone at the club is disappointed we've been relegated and that goes without saying.

"It was a disappointing moment for everyone because we're trying to take the club forward.

"But we have to move on. This is a time when everyone has to rally round and that's how everyone at the club views it."

Kenny - who arrived from Derry City in October - offered a wry smile when labelled a "cool customer" during Thursday's press conference, saying: "I don't know about that analysis."

But he admits there will be no place for emotion or nerves come 3pm on Saturday afternoon.

"When you get to cup finals, you have to be level-headed, you have to be clinical in the way you play," he said. "There's a game to be won.

"It's not about the occasion when you get to the final, that's how you have to view it."

The Dunfermline boss was already prepared for the loss of key players ahead of the final, with Gary Mason suspended, Tam McManus and Stephen Glass are cup-tied and Jim O'Brien - on loan from Celtic - banned from playing against his parent club.

Greg Ross has now been added to the list, after plans to postpone a knee operation until next week were scrapped because the player was experiencing too much pain.

But, as far as Kenny is concerned, he has enough players available to take the trophy back to East End Park and he insists there will be no excuses from the Pars camp if they do not come out on top against the Scottish champions.

He said: "We're missing players we would rather have but I'm happy with the squad that I've got, I'm happy with the team that will be representing Dunfermline.

"We will have to get a shape that suits the team for the game itself, and we're lacking one or two players in certain areas, but we have a strong side and I think we will do ourselves justice."

In terms of league position, Saturday's opponents are at opposite ends of the spectrum.

While Dunfermline are contemplating life in the second tier next year, Celtic head into Saturday's match safe in the knowledge they have already secured the most sought-after silverware in Scottish football.

Even so, Kenny's message when he addresses his players in the dressing room at Hampden will attempt to inspire them to show no fear.

"Celtic are the overwhelming favourites," he said. "We know that and everyone expects Celtic to win convincingly.

"From our point of view, it's a one-off game and we've proved to be strong in the one-off games in the cup so far.

"We will have a great crowd behind us so we should enjoy the atmosphere, express ourselves and not be fearful. I don't think we can shut up shop against Celtic - we have to be more ambitious than that."