Preview Celtic

The Scottish Cup Final Countdown. Pars determined to make 2007 a year to remember.

This Saturday Dunfermline Athletic return to take centre stage at Hampden Park for their second Scottish Cup final appearance in four seasons. Given the disappointing SPL season that culminated in cruel relegation in Inverness, the achievement in reaching the final, and the manner in which they got there, is cause for celebration.  Should the Pars` remarkable 2007 Scottish Cup form continue there`s no reason why the trophy shouldn`t be coming back to Fife on Saturday evening.

The History

The first time the Pars got to the final was way back in 1961 under the stewardship of the legendary Jock Stein. An outstanding display from goalkeeper Eddie Connachan, took the game against Celtic to a replay, and when the teams met again four days later, the keeper was once again on top form. Goals from David Thomson and Charlie Dickson in the last 23 minutes of the game meant that the cup was on its way to Dunfermline for the first time.

Five years later and Celtic once again provided the opposition at Hampden. This time Jock Stein was in charge of the Celts, with Willie Cunningham manager of Dunfermline . Harry Melrose gave Dunfermline the lead in 15 minutes after Jim Fallon the Celtic keeper had failed to deal with a Willie Callaghan cross. Bertie Auld equalised for Celtic in 31 minutes, before John McLaughlin restored the Athletics` lead just before half time with a superb 20 yard shot following a Melrose free-kick. The second half belonged to Celtic, and Auld scored his second to equalise, and then with just nine minutes remaining Billy McNeill scored the winner from a Gallagher corner.

Another three years passed and under George Farm the Pars were back again in final, playing Hearts this time. After a goalless first half, Pat Gardner shot the Athletic into the lead in 56 minutes, which was followed three minutes later by a penalty from Ian Lister to put the Fifers two up. John Lunn turned the ball past his own goalkeeper to give the Edinburgh team some hope, but three minutes later Pat Gardner scored with a magnificent volley that flew past Jim Cruickshank in the Hearts goal to seal the Pars` second Cup win.

In 2004 Jimmy Calderwood took us on a magical journey to the final for the first time since George Farm`s achievement thirty-six years before.  It was a fantastic Cup Final that matched the magnificent sunny May afternoon; an extremely entertaining match fit for such a great occasion. The Pars went one up through an Andrius Skerla header but the scourge of DA, Henrik Larsson capped his last competitive appearance for Celtic with two second half goals that killed off the dreams of the Fifers. Petrov added a third six minutes from time and it was not to be a historic third Cup win for the Pars.

The 2006-07 Scottish Cup

Celtic have had a much easier route to the Final with comfortable wins over Dumbarton and Livingston. They got a fright at Inverness when it took late goals from Steven Pressley and Kenny Miller to see them past Caley Thistle and then of course St Johnstone made it tricky for them in the Semi Final.

The Scottish Cup has been a very welcome relief for Dunfermline this season.  Their cup win over Rangers came in the midst of a record equalling nine league matches without scoring. Three goals up against Ian Durrant`s men, Dunfermline held on to take on Hearts in the following round. A late late goal from Scott Wilson against Hearts kept the dream alive.  Partick didn`t make it easy but the win was comfortable enough in the end. Next the semi final; 178 minutes of football and then a Jim McIntyre penalty prevented the match going into extra time and sent the Pars into the final where Celtic awaited them.

Many would say that for claiming the scalps that they have taken on their way to the final, Dunfermline already deserve the Cup. To defeat the Edinburgh sides, the Cup holders and CIS Insurance Cup holders, the mighty Glasgow Rangers and the thorny Partick, Dunfermline have certainly reached the final the hard way. Glasgow Celtic stand between them and a remarkable piece of history.

Celtic`s poor run of results that has seen them lose six, draw one and only win four in the 11 matches since Dunfermline lost 2-1 to them at Celtic Park at the beginning of March. Dunfermline in the same time have played 11 games.  Their record is lost three, drawn two and won six. Up until the defeat at Inverness they were the form team in the SPL but it remains to be seen how they will compensate for the suspended Gary Mason, cup tied Tam McManus and Stephen Glass and the Celtic denied Jim O`Brien.

Semi Final Line Ups

DUNFERMLINE (replay v Hibs): Dorus de Vries; Greg Shields (c), Souleymane Bamba, Phil McGuire, Scott Muirhead; Jim O`Brien (Owen Morrison 69), Darren Young (Mark Burchill 77), Jamie McCunnie, Gary Mason, Adam Hammill (Greg Ross 89); Jim McIntyre.
SUBS: Roddy McKenzie (GK), Freddie Daquin.
YELLOW CARD: Mason (52), Hammill (83)
SCORER: McIntyre (87 pen)

CELTIC (v St Johnstone): Artur Boruc; Gary Caldwell, Steven Pressley, Stephen McManus, Lee Naylor (Darren O`Dea 89); Shunsuke Nakamura (Thomas Gravesen 78), Neil Lennon, Paul Hartley, Aiden McGeady, Derek Riordan (Kenny Miller 65), Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink
SUBS NOT USED: Craig Beattie, Michael McGovern
YELLOW CARD: Lennon
SCORER: Vennegoor of Hesselink (13 pen, 54)

Stephen Kenny is now one of an elite group of five managers who have taken the Pars to a Scottish Cup final. A win against Celtic this weekend and SK will join an even more select group and having won the FAI Cup in the Republic of Ireland with Derry City in November complete a unique double in cup successes.  Do us and the Manager proud boys!

The wins in 61 and 68 were marked by scenes of unbridled jubilation, with the team and cup parading down the High Street in an open-top bus. Should Dunfermline win on Saturday an open top bus is reserved for Sunday afternoon.

COME ON YE PARS!