Post by Taxigirl on May 21, 2004 12:26:19 GMT
news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_div_1/3735321.stm
Hampden Park
Saturday 22 May
Kick off 1500GMT
Live coverage on BBC One Scotland and Radio Scotland
Celtic are out to complete a domestic double, while Dunfermline aim to lift the Scottish Cup for a third time when the teams meet at Hampden on Saturday.
League champions and firm favourites Celtic have won the trophy 31 times before - their last victory coming in 2001.
The Fife club last tasted Hampden success in 1968 and this is their first final since.
However, Dunfermline's other triumph did come against Celtic, after a replay, in 1961.
Celtic have been head and shoulders above everyone else this season, wrapping up the league title with six games to spare and doing so with a run that saw them unbeaten.
With Martin O'Neill's third title in four seasons secured, Celtic did slip to defeat with Aberdeen and Dunfermline leaving Glasgow with maximum points as the league drew to a close.
That win will have buoyed the underdogs' spirit ahead of Saturday but both sides will be much changed for the Hampden clash.
The Pars also held Celtic to a 0-0 draw on the opening day of the season before O'Neill's side went on a run of 25 straight league wins.
But, in between those two good results, Dunfermline were on the end of 4-1 and 5-0 hammerings from Celtic.
The match also marks Henrik Larsson's last competitive match for Celtic.
The prolific Swedish striker has netted an incredible 240 goals during his seven seasons at Celtic Park.
Two of those strikes came against Hibs in the 2001 final and Larsson will be looking for a farewell goal or two as he bids to bow out with a second Scottish Cup winner's medal.
Dunfermline goalkeeper Derek Stillie is also moving on after the final and will be desperate to spoil the widely anticipated Larsson party.
In order to do so, one suspects Stillie will be a very busy man.
Celtic: key players
Celtic have had so many impressive performers this season as they rolled over the domestic opposition on their way to the SPL title.
With so much quality, they have potential match-winners in various positions.
BBC Sport identifies three players who could play a crucial role in the destination of the Scottish Cup.
CHRIS SUTTON
Sutton has once again been tremendous in a variety of positions for Martin O'Neill's side.
But there is little doubt - ask Henrik Larsson - that he is at his most effective as a striker, both scoring and creating goals.
He has failed to get on the scoresheet against Dunfermline this season, however, and he will be looking to put that right on Saturday.
HENRIK LARSSON
It goes without saying that Larsson will pose a potent threat to the Dunfermline goal in his final competitive appearance for Celtic.
No defence can afford to rest on its laurels when the Swede is around, least of all when he will be aiming to sign off on a note of celebration.
His deadliness in front of goal allied to an excellent rate of assists has helped make Larsson the huge success he has become and he will be desperate to give the Celtic supporters one final winning memory of his time with the club.
STILIAN PETROV
Petrov's trademark bursts from midfield to support the strikers have earned him a number of crucial goals in recent times.
The Bulgarian captain has an unerring sense of when to arrive in the opposition penalty area to maximum effect.
He also has a tendency to win free kicks and penalties, a tendency that does little to endear him to opposing players and fans.
But his energy at the end of a long season will be vital for Celtic at Hampden on Saturday.
Hampden Park
Saturday 22 May
Kick off 1500GMT
Live coverage on BBC One Scotland and Radio Scotland
Celtic are out to complete a domestic double, while Dunfermline aim to lift the Scottish Cup for a third time when the teams meet at Hampden on Saturday.
League champions and firm favourites Celtic have won the trophy 31 times before - their last victory coming in 2001.
The Fife club last tasted Hampden success in 1968 and this is their first final since.
However, Dunfermline's other triumph did come against Celtic, after a replay, in 1961.
Celtic have been head and shoulders above everyone else this season, wrapping up the league title with six games to spare and doing so with a run that saw them unbeaten.
With Martin O'Neill's third title in four seasons secured, Celtic did slip to defeat with Aberdeen and Dunfermline leaving Glasgow with maximum points as the league drew to a close.
That win will have buoyed the underdogs' spirit ahead of Saturday but both sides will be much changed for the Hampden clash.
The Pars also held Celtic to a 0-0 draw on the opening day of the season before O'Neill's side went on a run of 25 straight league wins.
But, in between those two good results, Dunfermline were on the end of 4-1 and 5-0 hammerings from Celtic.
The match also marks Henrik Larsson's last competitive match for Celtic.
The prolific Swedish striker has netted an incredible 240 goals during his seven seasons at Celtic Park.
Two of those strikes came against Hibs in the 2001 final and Larsson will be looking for a farewell goal or two as he bids to bow out with a second Scottish Cup winner's medal.
Dunfermline goalkeeper Derek Stillie is also moving on after the final and will be desperate to spoil the widely anticipated Larsson party.
In order to do so, one suspects Stillie will be a very busy man.
Celtic: key players
Celtic have had so many impressive performers this season as they rolled over the domestic opposition on their way to the SPL title.
With so much quality, they have potential match-winners in various positions.
BBC Sport identifies three players who could play a crucial role in the destination of the Scottish Cup.
CHRIS SUTTON
Sutton has once again been tremendous in a variety of positions for Martin O'Neill's side.
But there is little doubt - ask Henrik Larsson - that he is at his most effective as a striker, both scoring and creating goals.
He has failed to get on the scoresheet against Dunfermline this season, however, and he will be looking to put that right on Saturday.
HENRIK LARSSON
It goes without saying that Larsson will pose a potent threat to the Dunfermline goal in his final competitive appearance for Celtic.
No defence can afford to rest on its laurels when the Swede is around, least of all when he will be aiming to sign off on a note of celebration.
His deadliness in front of goal allied to an excellent rate of assists has helped make Larsson the huge success he has become and he will be desperate to give the Celtic supporters one final winning memory of his time with the club.
STILIAN PETROV
Petrov's trademark bursts from midfield to support the strikers have earned him a number of crucial goals in recent times.
The Bulgarian captain has an unerring sense of when to arrive in the opposition penalty area to maximum effect.
He also has a tendency to win free kicks and penalties, a tendency that does little to endear him to opposing players and fans.
But his energy at the end of a long season will be vital for Celtic at Hampden on Saturday.