Graham Ruthven previews Sunday's Scottish Cup final between Celtic and Hearts at Hampden - a 2019/20 showpiece, being played in 2020/21.
Football betting tips: Celtic v Hearts
- 14:15 GMT kick-off on Premier Sports 1
- Match odds: Home 2/7 | Draw 4/1 | Away 17/2
The circumstances around Sunday’s Scottish Cup final could hardly be any more peculiar.
While the match will be played in the middle of the 2020/21 campaign, less than a week before Christmas, this is the conclusion to last season. For Celtic in particular, this crossover has generated a stark contrast of emotion.
Celtic Park is not a happy place right now, quite literally. Supporters have taken to gathering outside the stadium in recent weeks to demand the dismissal of Neil Lennon as manager and the departure of a board blamed for the alleged managed decline of the club over the last few years.
Results have been almost unfathomably poor for a team of Celtic’s stature. The Hoops have won their last two games, but that was preceded by a run of just two wins from 12 fixtures. For Celtic, this season was all about the pursuit of history - a record 10th league title in a row. That pursuit might already be over, with Steven Gerrard’s Rangers 13 points clear at the top of the Scottish Premiership.
And yet if Celtic beat Hearts at Hampden Park on Sunday they will celebrate a historic 'Quadruple Treble', having won the league title and Betfred Cup in the 2019/20 season. Given all that has happened of late, the scenes if Lennon and his players end up with silverware in their hands this weekend will be fascinating. Will anyone feel like celebrating? And if they do, how will the disgruntled fanbase react?
Circumstances are unique for Hearts too. The premature end to the 2019/20 season saw the Tynecastle side relegated to the Scottish Championship, so while they played the majority of their Scottish Cup campaign as a top-flight team they will play the final as a second tier outfit.
To underline the absurdity of it all, Craig Gordon was a Celtic player when the 2019/20 Scottish Cup campaign started. On Saturday, he will play for Hearts.
Celtic v Hearts: Scottish Cup final best bets
Recently, Celtic’s form has improved. Lennon has looked to youngsters like Conor Hazard, Ewan Henderson and most notably David Turnbull to give his side new life. However, the Celtic boss has spoken of staying loyal to the players who got the Hoops to the Scottish Cup final in the first place. Scott Brown, for instance, is expected to be back in the lineup.
“It will [be a tough decision],” Lennon explained, revealing his internal debate ahead of the final. “But I think the players who’ve got us there, we’ll want to have a good look at that. There might be one or two of the new faces in there but I’d like to think the hardcore that got us there deserve an opportunity to play in it.”
Turnbull is 7/5 to find the net at any time. The 21-year-old is on form, scoring one and assisting two in his last two games. If he starts, Turnbull is a good bet to add to his tally against Hearts. Mohamed Elyounoussi is another in good scoring form, with the Norwegian already in double figures for the season. Celtic’s centre forwards might be struggling, but their midfielders are picking up some of the slack.
As they were expected to be, Hearts are sitting top of the Scottish Championship, although Robbie Neilson’s side haven’t had it all their own way. Talk of an unbeaten season quickly vanished as the Jam Tarts struggled through early fixtures. They will likely still win the title at a canter, but this is a team that has already lost games to Alloa Athletic and Dunfermline Athletic this term.
In the likes of Liam Boyce, Steven Naismith and Jamie Walker, Hearts still boast experienced performers capable of causing Celtic problems. It was only two weeks ago that the Hoops lost at home to Ross County and drew against St Johnstone. Hearts’ squad is potentially stronger than either of those two.
Celtic have kept just one clean sheet in their last nine outings and so 4/7 Both Teams To Score looks nailed on. The Hoops’ defence has struggled against players with pace this season. With this in mind, there is some value in Walker as Anytime Goalscorer at 4/1. If Lennon deploys a back three, as he has frequently this season, there will be space to exploit.
On the basis of the two squads’ quality, Sunday’s final should be a foregone conclusion. But if squad quality alone decided titles and championships, Celtic would be top of the Scottish Premiership rather than 13 points adrift.
Lennon and his players have a point to prove. Some silverware would at least silence some critics.
Follow Sporting Life on social - find us on Facebook here or tweet @SportingLifeFC
Related football content
- A period of transition for City?
- Premier League: Punting Pointers
- 6/1 Deeney among raft of EFL winners
- Latest football previews and tips
- Sporting Life App: Android & iOS
Responsible gambling
We are committed in our support of responsible gambling. Recommended bets are advised to over-18s and we strongly encourage readers to wager only what they can afford to lose.
If you are concerned about your gambling, please call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133, or visit begambleaware.org.
Further support and information can be found at GamCare and gamblingtherapy.org.
