Scottish league cup

SCOT TISH LE AGUE CUP PRESENTED BY UTILITA

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HIBERNIAN VERSUS

ROSS COUNTY

FINAL – HIBERNIAN v ROSS COUNT Y

FINAL

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09/03/2016 08:36

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Welcome

On behalf of the Scottish Professional Football League and Utilita Energy, welcome to the Scottish League Cup Final

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his afternoon’s match marks the conclusion of the 70th Scottish League Cup – a tournament that has witnessed many great finals down the years. The last five seasons have produced five different winners and that sequence will become six in six years, regardless of who comes out on top between Hibernian and Ross County.

This promises to be a special day for everyone connected with both clubs.

Hibernian, who defeated St Johnstone at Tynecastle in their semi-final, are appearing in their 10th League Cup Final and are bidding to win the trophy for the fourth time – they last lifted the iconic piece of silverware in 2006/07 after beating Kilmarnock 5-1. Ross County, who knocked out holders Celtic here at the end of January, are in the

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final for the first time as they add another chapter to their remarkable story since joining the League in 1994.

Both semi-finals were terrific games of football and I’m sure we will see another compelling contest this afternoon as Alan Stubbs’ side and Jim McIntyre’s men battle it out for the first trophy of the season and we look forward to what should be a fantastic atmosphere at the National Stadium. Today’s game will be shown live on BBC Scotland and many millions more across the world will be able to watch thanks to our international TV deal with MP & Silva.

I would like to thank Peter Dallas and his staff at Hampden Park for their assistance in staging the 70th League Cup Final, which will be played on a newly-laid pitch. Work began

immediately after Queen’s Park’s game against Berwick Rangers last weekend and hopefully we will see a surface befitting the final of a national cup competition.

Today’s match programme touches on the rich history of this competition but we are also excited by the changes that will see next season’s League Cup, backed by new broadcast partner BT Sport, begin with a 40-team group stage on July 16, with the final confirmed for Sunday November 27.

That is for the future. This afternoon is all about Hibernian and Ross County. Thank you for attending today’s showpiece game – I hope it is one you remember for a long time.

Neil Doncaster, SPFL Chief Executive

from our sponsor

elcome to Hampden Park for the final of the Scottish League Cup, presented by Utilita Energy. Huge congratulations to both Hibernian and Ross County for making it this far – it’s been a fantastic competition.

Hibs were terrific at Tynecastle – which was a sea of green and seemed more like Easter Road on the day – for their semi-final victory over Premiership St Johnstone. The next day Ross County were equally impressive here for that famous win over Celtic, especially after going a goal down inside the first minute.

Neither side have had it easy so it’s all set up for a great afternoon. Premiership versus Championship, with no clear favourite. It’s a contest that is, on paper, evenly poised.

At Utilita we believe in affordability, which is why we will cut our gas prices again on 1 April — we’re the first supplier to reduce them twice in 2016, by the way – so we’re delighted that tickets for today’s big game are so reasonably priced. It’s how it should be. I want to see as many young families

attending live football matches as possible, and I hope to see plenty from Leith, Dingwall and beyond here today.

Speaking of families, our charity partner Home-Start does brilliant work with some of Scotland’s most vulnerable ones.

Some of the mascots for both teams are from families who have directly benefited from having Home-Start in their lives.

Today – in what’s surely a first in British football – one mascot from each side has been chosen to hand the winning captain the trophy. Hibs’ mascot is Archie Hamilton from East Lothian, who will be nine on Tuesday, so Happy Birthday Archie!

He’s here with dad Robin and best pal, Cameron. Archie’s younger sister Nancy, six, has Primary Dystonia, which affects her ability to walk like other children, as well as her speech.

Archie’s family are hopeful Nancy will gain better mobility through brain surgery and rehabilitation. Home-Start has provided the family – who also have a three-year-old sister, Murin – with much-needed support and will continue to do so.

County’s mascot is Kyle Watt, 13, from Alness in the Highlands. He’s here with dad John and younger brother Eddie, who is also a mascot. Their mum Fiona has suffered from Deep Vein Thrombosis for the past four years as well as life-threatening blood clots in her lungs and heart. John has also had his health issues, recently having to go through bypass surgery following a heart attack. He also has diabetes.

Home-Start has been a terrific support to the Watts, helping with the little things many of us take for granted — shopping, getting the children ready for school, booking medical appointments. These families are inspirational and are very grateful to Home-Start.

At the two semi finals, Home-Start bucket collectors raised £1,700.Thanks to everyone who donated. There are more here today, in and around Hampden. Please – if you can – give generously.

Enjoy the game today – and the very best of luck to both teams.

Bill Bullen, CEO Utilita Energy

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Hi Garry w To go somewhere at the bottom of the contents page to explain the retro cover Today’s programme cover Cheers David To mark the 70th season of the Scottish League Cup, today’s programme cover is a special edition designed by football artist Paine Proffitt to reflect the rich heritage of Scottish football.

MANAGING EDITOR David Ogilvie EDITOR Garry Hayes ART DIRECTOR Matt Alabaster ART EDITOR Peter May, Mark Jardine IMAGES SNS HEAD OF SALES Mark Bloomfield PRINTED BY J THOMSON

This publication was produced under license by ProgrammeMaster Ltd on behalf of The SPFL. For more copies, contact ProgrammeMaster’s order line on: 08700 20 20 20. www.ProgrammeMaster.com @PML_Sports /PMLSports

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No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior permission in writing of the publisher. The information in this publication is carefully researched and produced in good faith, but ProgrammeMaster and The SPFL cannot accept any responsibility for any errors or omissions. © 2016 ProgrammeMaster Ltd and The SPFL. All rights reserved.

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CO N T EN TS

INSIDE YOUR PROGRAMME...

6

SEttING thE ScENE

62 ROB JONES ON 2007 GlORY

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hIBS’ ROAD tO thE fINAl

67 ANDY BARROWMAN INtERVIEW

10 ROSS cOUNtY’S ROAD tO thE fINAl

72 DONNIE MacBEAN q&A

13 AlAN StUBBS INtERVIEW

74 thE ScOttISh lEAGUE cUP At 70

16 lEWIS StEVENSON INtERVIEW

78 SPfl tRUSt

21 JIM McINtYRE INtERVIEW

80 10 fINAlS tO REMEMBER

24 RIchARD fOStER INtERVIEW

84 PROGRAMMES fROM thE PASt

28 hIBERNIAN PROfIlES

86 PASt WINNERS: thE lINE-UPS

34 ROSS cOUNtY PROfIlES

88 lEAGUE cUP fINAl GAllERY

40 PREVIOUS MEEtINGS

90 fActS AND fIGURES

42 thE hIBS clASS Of ’72

92 PREVIOUS lEAGUE cUP fINAlS

48 ROSS cOUNtY IN thE lEAGUE cUP

95 2015/16 lEAGUE cUP RESUltS

50 KEIth WRIGht REcAllS 1991 WIN

96 tODAY’S MAtch OffIcIAlS

56 10 thINGS ABOUt ROSS cOUNtY

98 hIBS AND ROSS cOUNtY SqUADS

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crunch time It promises to be a special afternoon at Hampden Park as Hibernian and Ross County contest the final of the 70th Scottish League Cup, presented by Utilita

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or the Easter Road side this is the chance to claim the trophy for a fourth time, following their successes in 1972/73, 1991/92 and 2006/07.

Alan Stubbs is aiming to follow Eddie Turnbull, Alex Miller and John Collins in leading Hibs to League Cup glory and they have already accounted for Ladbrokes Premiership opposition in Aberdeen, Dundee United and St Johnstone to reach this stage.

In the Scottish Cup they knocked out city rivals Heart of Midlothian and only a late equaliser denied them victory over holders Inverness Caledonian Thistle at Easter Road a week ago.

A midweek replay is next on the agenda for Hibs as they seek a last-four showdown with Dundee United.

Hibernian were deserving winners when they edged out St Johnstone in the League Cup semi-final on a brutally cold afternoon at Tynecastle at the end of January and they went on to extend their astonishing run of results to just a single defeat – 4-2 at Ibrox on December 28 – in 28 matches in all competitions.

That sequence recently came to an end with a trio of surprise league defeats in the space of a week, to Morton, Dumbarton and Queen of the South, but they looked strong against Caley Thistle in the Scottish Cup and had the chances to have already booked a semi-final berth.

Hibernian spent a few days in Spain as part of their preparations for today’s big game but they will be without longserving defender Paul Hanlon who is absent with a thigh injury and Dylan

McGeouch who also looks set to miss out.

Ross County, meanwhile, will have to do without goalkeeper Scott Fox, who sustained a knee injury in the 3-0 reverse to Dundee United. Craig Curran has been struggling and on-loan Aberdeen forward David Goodwillie is cup-tied.

Manager Jim McIntyre oversaw a miraculous recovery in the second half of last season when it appeared the Staggies were certainties for relegation and they are now on course for their best ever finish in the league – they sit joint fourth in the table with St Johnstone, just ahead of Dundee.

County’s recent form has been mixed – with wins over Hamilton Accies and Kilmarnock and losses to Dundee United in both the Ladbrokes Premiership and the Scottish Cup, the latter in the shape of a painful last-minute 3-2

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SE T T ING T H E SCEN E defeat on Saturday – but they have proved what they are capable of on many occasions this season.

The semi-final victory over Celtic was a thrilling case in point. Behind after only 30 seconds to a Gary Mackay-Steven goal, they could easily have buckled but instead came storming back to win 3-1 and shock the Parkhead men for the second time in the last four of a major cup competition.

The 2-0 success in the Scottish Cup back in 2010 led to a meeting with Dundee United, who ran out comfortable 3-0 winners, but it is impossible to see anything other than a close contest today.

It would be no surprise if we need extra time – as we have done in four of the last eight finals – or even penalties, to settle today’s showpiece occasion although County don’t really do draws. It’s been win or lose for the Staggies in 25 of their 26 outings since a 3-3 result at Dens Park at the end of September – the exception

“PREDICTING THE OUTCOME TODAY IS A VERY TOUGH TASK” being the Scottish Cup clash with Dunfermline at East End Park in January.

There are no guarantees in football but goals, it would seem, are almost certain this afternoon. Ross County haven’t been involved in a 0-0 draw since they held Celtic in the East End of Glasgow in December 2014 and Hibernian have scored in all but four of their 37 matches in 2015/16, although admittedly three of those games have come in the last month.

This a momentous occasion for

both clubs and a day to savour for the supporters, who have made their way to Hampden in their thousands along the M8, down the A9 and, of course, from much further afield. This is not a game you would want to miss if you follow Hibs or Ross County.

Nerves could play a part, and not only on the pitch. Whatever your team, we’ve all been there. Leading or losing in the closing minutes of a big game and looking on barely able to watch as the tension mounts. There is nothing quite like that feeling of elation when the final whistle goes and you’ve done it, or let’s be honest, the crushing despair when it hasn’t gone your way.

Football can toy with your emotions like little else and that is one of the many things that makes it great. Predicting the outcome today is a tough task but either the Staggies or the Hibees will be able to enjoy one of the best nights of their supporting lives this evening.

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HIBERNIAN’S ROAD TO

THE FINAL SEMI-FINAL

Saturday 30 January, 2016 Hibernian 2-1 St Johnstone

J Cummings pen 29, J McGinn 74

J Shaughnessy 33

Attendance: 16,971 Referee: Steven McLean

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ibernian’s previous League Cup semi-final appearance came against the same opponents and at the same venue and it was to prove a good omen as the Easter Road men prevailed at the home of their city rivals.

The bookies could hardly separate the teams but on a bitterly cold day in the capital it was Hibs who came out on top against a St Johnstone side struggling for form. Hibs, without the injured Anthony Stokes, went into the game on the back of a run of 18 wins, three draws and just one defeat in their past 22 games – they played the better football and deserved the victory. Jason Cummings opened the scoring from the penalty spot after referee Steven McLean ruled that Chris Millar had impeded Liam Henderson but Saints were level four minutes later when Joe Shaughnessy’s header gave Mark Oxley no chance. Tommy Wright’s team enjoyed their best spell after the break and Simon Lappin crashed a shot against the bar but Hibs had more of the game and were rewarded when man of the match John McGinn swept a terrific low shot beyond Alan Mannus from outside the box with 16 minutes left.

Hibernian

1 Mark Oxley 2 David Gray 3 Liam Henderson (Darren McGregor 90) 4 Paul Hanlon 5 Liam Fontaine 8 Fraser Fyvie 10 Dylan McGeouch 16 Lewis Stevenson 18 John McGinn 29 Chris Dagnall 35 Jason Cummings (James Keatings 87)

Subs (not used) 6 Marvin Bartley 17 Martin Boyle 27 Niklas Gunnarsson 30 Kevin Thomson 32 Otso Virtanen (GK)

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ROA D TO T H E F IN A L

QUARTER-FINAL

SECOND ROUND

Wednesday 4 November, 2015 Hibernian 3-0 Dundee United

Wednesday 26 August, 2015 Hibernian 1-0 Stranraer

D Gray 20, J Cummings pen 61, L Stevenson 90

Attendance: 11,891 Referee: Willie Collum

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ibs cruised into their first League Cup semi-final since 2006/07 thanks to a convincing win over Premiership strugglers Dundee United. Alan Stubbs’s side had beaten Rangers on the Sunday and were again in top form at Easter Road. David Gray opened the scoring midway

through the first half and top scorer Jason Cummings netted from the spot just after the hour mark, with John Rankin penalised for handball. Lewis Stevenson added the third in the last minute when his shot beat Michal Szromnik with the aid of a deflection.

S Rumsby og 52

Attendance: 5,224 Referee: Kevin Clancy

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he sides had served up an eight-goal thriller in the League Cup two years earlier but there was just the one this time round as Alan Stubbs’ side reached the last 16 by edging out their stubborn League 1 opponents.

The decisive moment arrived

THIRD ROUND

FIRST ROUND

Wednesday 23 September, 2015 Hibernian 2-0 Aberdeen

Saturday 1 August, 2015 Hibernian 3-0 Montrose

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J Cummings 82, D Malonga 90

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seven minutes after the interval when defender Scott Rumsby turned Fraser Fyvie’s cross into his own net and that proved enough for Hibs to march on.

Next up for Stubbs’ side was a tricky home tie against Premiership Aberdeen who had lifted the League Cup in 2014.

Attendance: 11,092 Referee: Steven McLean

n outstanding win for Hibs, against an Aberdeen side who had won all eight games in the Ladbrokes Premiership. The Dons had triumphed 3-1 at Tynecastle on the Sunday but they struggled to create chances against a well-drilled

Hibernian side. It looked as if extra time would be needed to settle the tie but Jason Cummings broke the deadlock with eight minutes left, beating Danny Ward with a fine finish, and Dom Malonga came off the bench to seal a memorable victory in the last minute.

S Martin 33, S Allan 71, J Cummings 82

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Attendance: 5,933 Referee: John Beaton

ibernian got the better of Paul Hegarty’s League 2 side as they bounced back from a disappointing defeat to Rangers in the Petrofac Training Cup. Scott Martin got

the opener just after the half-hour mark and goals in the last 20 minutes from substitute Scott Allan and Jason Cummings put some gloss on the scoreline.

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ROSS COUNTY’S ROAD TO

THE FINAL SEMI-FINAL

QUARTER-FINAL

Sunday January 31, 2016 Ross County 3-1 Celtic

Tuesday 27 October, 2015 Inverness CT 1-2 Ross County

Referee: Craig Thomson Crowd: 22,130

Referee: Steven McLean Crowd: 3,004

M Woods pen 15, P Quinn 48, A Schalk 62

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oss County had stunned Celtic to reach the Scottish Cup Final in 2010 but few outside Dingwall expected them to pull off another shock at the National Stadium on their League Cup semi-final debut. They fell behind inside 30 seconds but rallied to claim a memorable victory as they dumped out the holders to set up a meeting with Hibernian. Gary Mackay-Steven gave Ronny Deila’s team the lead after Callum McGregor and Leigh Griffiths combined and the Staggies struggled early on but they found their feet and the turning point came in 15 minutes. Alex Schalk was brought down by Efe Ambrose and Martin Woods converted the penalty after the defender had been sent off.

New signing Paul Quinn headed County in front three minutes after the interval when skipper Andrew Davies did well to guide a corner into his path.

Schalk expertly slammed the third goal past Craig Gordon after being set up

by Woods and Scott Fox saved a 77th-minute penalty from Leigh Griffiths, which had been awarded for a handball by Brian Graham. There was only going to be one winner after that and Jim McIntyre’s men were soon celebrating a historic triumph.

G Mackay-Steven 1

Ross County

1 Scott Fox 2 Marcus Fraser 7 Michael Gardyne (Liam Boyce 83) 8 Ian McShane 12 Richard Foster 15 Andrew Davies 18 Stewart Murdoch (Jonathan Franks 28) 23 Alex Schalk (Brian Graham 71) 26 Martin Woods 36 Jackson Irvine 43 Paul Quinn

G Tansey 78

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he Staggies hadn’t won any of their last six Highland derbies but what a time to end that run, with a first League Cup semi-final the rich reward for a deserved triumph at the Tulloch Caledonian Stadium. The damage was done by goals either side of

Subs (not used)

J Irvine 41, M Gardyne 48

half-time – Jackson Irvine headed the opener from a Martin Woods corner and Michael Gardyne doubled the advantage when he beat Owain Fon Williams with a terrific finish. Greg Tansey reduced the deficit with a wonderful effort from long range but County held on to reach the last four.

THIRD ROUND

21 Gary Woods (GK) 3 Jamie Reckord 5 Scott Boyd 24 Raffaele De Vita

Tuesday 22 September, 2015 Ross County 7-0 Falkirk

L Boyce 30, 35, 40, R De Vita 46

J Franks 54, B Graham 58, D Holden 81

Referee: Stephen Finnie Crowd: 1,341

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im McIntyre’s side went into this game on the back of four wins and a draw but Falkirk were expected to provide a stern test in Dingwall. Instead, they were swept aside by an inspired County team. It took 30 minutes for the deadlock to be

broken but by half-time Liam Boyce had bagged a hat-trick and Raffaele De Vita added the fourth immediately after the break. Jonathan Franks and Brian Graham were also on target before Darren Holden claimed the seventh goal towards the end.

SECOND ROUND Tuesday 25 August, 2015 Ross County 2-0 Ayr United

L Boyce 3, M Gardyne 50

Referee: Craig Charleston Crowd: 1,743

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oss County had thrashed Kilmarnock 4-0 at Rugby Park on the Saturday and were comfortable winners against Ian McCall’s League 1 side at the Global Energy Stadium. A Liam

Boyce goal after just three minutes settled any nerves and Michael Gardyne thumped the ball beyond Greg Fleming early in the second half to seal the Staggies’ passage to round three.

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ROA D TO T H E F IN A L

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BUILDING STRONG FOUNDATIONS FOR FAMILIES IN SCOTLAND - PADDI’S STORY

Paddi O’Brien, a builder from Dunbar, used to run his own firm. At 40, after a long bout of ill health and his second heart operation, he had to give up his business. He stayed at home to care for his youngest children (eight year old twins) while his wife went out to work.

By his fifties he was a dad of five and granddad of five, and realised how much he had to offer other families. He started volunteering for Home-Start so he could support parents who were struggling to cope when their children were young. He says, “Male volunteers are a bit of a rare breed when it comes to family-focused charities. But men actually have a lot to offer, particularly acting as a positive male role model. The most important role I play in a family’s life is being someone they can depend on.”

Learn more at bit.ly/Paddisstory

Home-Start: we’re here for the dad who can’t face another day; for the mum who has no-one else to turn to; for the child whose family is at breaking point.

DONATE: Text HSUK16 £5 to 70070. Or put some money in the Home-Start buckets at the semis and finals so we can train more volunteers like Paddi.

VOLUNTEER: We need more volunteer parents, who want to be trained and supported to work with families struggling to cope. There are 33 local Home-Starts across Scotland who’d love to hear from you.

Thank You. www.home-start.org.uk

FB: /homestartuk

Tw: /homestartuk

Home-Start, the official charity partner of the Scottish League Cup. Home-Start UK: charity number SCO39172 (Scotland) and 1108837 (England and Wales)

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07/03/2016 16:13

eyes on the prize

IN T ERV IE W

Today presents Alan Stubbs with the opportunity to lift his first piece of silverware as a manager and the 44-year-old accepts it would be a defining moment in his career

By John Stephens (Hibernian PR and Media Executive)

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owever, he says he would take more satisfaction from seeing the enjoyment it would give various personnel at Easter Road and the Hibernian Training Centre should his side lift the League Cup, which showcases the togetherness and spirit that permeates throughout the football club.

Stubbs, who replaced Terry Butcher in the summer of 2014, said: “It would obviously be a really defining and proud moment for me personally if we win, but it will probably be even sweeter for me to see the faces of everybody. The staff, the players, everyone involved in a match day, it will be a huge satisfaction for me.

“It’s one that we all dream about as players and as managers in lifting the cup. It’s one where we will go into the game with aspirations of doing that, and it’s one where we feel that we’ve got a good opportunity to do that.

I’ve got to be honest, Ross County will be feeling exactly the same.”

The journey to this stage initially saw Montrose and Stranraer defeated at Easter Road, with the first game coming back on August 1. Following those matches, Aberdeen, who were then unbeaten in domestic competitions, and Dundee United were put to the sword, in performances that were both stoic and coruscating in equal measure.

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“I THINK WE’RE WORTHY FINALISTS, BUT WE’D LIKE TO BE WORTHY WINNERS”

St Johnstone were the opponents in a riveting semi-final, with John McGinn’s strike from distance earning Hibernian a berth in the final.

The former Bolton and Everton defender believes his side have made their way to the final on merit, while also unremarkably confessing that he would like to see them become worthy winners of the Scottish League Cup, presented by Utilita.

He said: “I think the Aberdeen game at Easter Road was a big game for us.

St Johnstone I must say is a bit special, but I think all the games have been important games in the run-up to it.

“We’ve had three Premiership opponents in the League Cup and St Johnstone, Dundee United and Aberdeen are three very good teams, so I think we’re worthy finalists, but we’d like to be worthy winners.”

With back-to-back Scottish Cup Finals in 2012 and 2013, Hibernian have another opportunity to potentially lift a major piece of silverware and Stubbs believes that the club should be talking about finals on a regular basis.

He is adamant that his team are not going there to bask in the occasion – his sights, and those of the squad, are solely focused on bringing the trophy back to Leith.

He added: “I think it is fantastic that we have managed to reach a final because this club should be talking about being in finals. The fact that we’ve managed to reach one this season is a great achievement, but it could be an even greater achievement if we were to go on and win it. We’re obviously delighted that we are there, but we’re not going there to just enjoy a day out.”

Winning a cup final is never an easy task. With the pressure and expectation weighing heavily on players and managers, coupled with the gruelling 90 minutes of football against another side who have earned their right to compete for a trophy, it is exhausting – both mentally and physically.

Speaking as a man who has won many battles and has a collection of winners’ medals from his playing career

– including League Cup success with Celtic in 1997/98 and 1999/00 – the Hibs boss knows what makes a winner, and he knows that his side can perform come kick-off.

He said: “There’s a lot of things which have to fall right on the day, it’s not necessarily the best team because we’ve seen the best teams lose cup finals in years gone by. You have to handle the occasion and with that means you have to handle your emotions.

“You need a little bit of luck on the day, too. But, more often than not, it’s the team that performs that wins and if we can get a few of them in our make-up, then we’ll give ourselves a good opportunity to win the game.

“Cup final days are special, they always are and I want them to savour it. I want them to basically soak up the atmosphere and go out there and perform on the stage – I feel that they can do.”

After experiencing a rousing and emotive rendition of Sunshine on Leith at Easter Road following the Scottish Cup replay victory over Heart of Midlothian last month, Stubbs would love to hear it at Hampden.

He admits that while he would like to hear the choir of 30,000 Hibernian supporters at the end of the contest, the game is at the forefront of his mind, with the thoughts of post-match celebrations a mere afterthought.

Stubbs, who began his playing career with Bolton and captained the team that was narrowly beaten by Liverpool in the 1994/95 League Cup Final, said: “I would love to see Sunshine on Leith at Hampden. The experience at Easter Road was truly unbelievable at the end of the game – it was spine tingling.

“I’ve been to a lot of games, and I’ve played in a lot of big games, but the feeling that that gave, not just me, but everybody, it was amazing.

“I would love to see that at the end of the game, but I’ve got to say that we’ve got an awful lot of work to do both before and during the game to even give ourselves an opportunity of that.”

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IN T ERV IE W

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LEWIS STEVENSON

It is a long time ago – almost a decade in fact – since Lewis Stevenson last represented Hibernian in the Scottish League Cup Final...

By John Stephens (Hibernian PR and Media Executive)

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he story harks back to early 2007 when Stevenson, then just 19, was thrown into the proverbial deep end. His ninth game for Hibernian came in the semi-final against St Johnstone, with manager John Collins crediting his performance in the 3-1 midweek win at Tynecastle as vital to the team earning their place at Hampden.

Appearance number 16 was the League Cup Final victory over Kilmarnock, and he admits he felt like the odd one out on the pitch due to relative inexperience, although he quickly overcame that when the game began.

He recalled: “I was that young that I’d hardly even trained with the first team so to be part of that day I felt a bit out of place.

“To be fair, the older boys on that day made me feel part of the team and did their best to try and help you on the day. We had Scott Brown, Steven Fletcher, Steven Whittaker and David Murphy who were all alongside me, and they talked me through the game.

“I was nervous and I was quiet as part of the squad, but as soon as you are out on the pitch, you feel like one of the boys.”

What goes through the head of a teenager standing in the tunnel of Hampden Park, knowing that his club’s fans pack out the majority of the grandest stage in Scottish football?

Unsurprisingly Stevenson cited his nerves, but also an undying thirst for the action to unfold, and for him to stamp his mark on proceedings. In essence, they just want to play football.

He said: “When I was standing in the tunnel, I was just dying to get out. I felt like I was wasting a lot of energy in the build-up with so many things going through my head.

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IN T ERV IE W “There’s such a big build-up that it takes a lot out of you. It’s just a game of football at the end of the day, so you just want to get out there and play.”

His imprint on the 5-1 win over Kilmarnock was undeniably felt, with his performance earning him the man-of-the-match award, but it is something he remains bashful talking about.

Stevenson still struggles to believe that he won that personal accolade. To him, the award was meaningless – all he cared about was lifting the trophy at the end of the game with his team-mates.

He said: “I couldn’t believe it. There were lots of great performances that day, so I was shocked to get it. To be fair, it could have been anyone on that day.

“It was a top performance and Benji (Abdessalam Benjelloun) scored two, as did Fletch (Steven Fletcher), so it really could have been anyone. It doesn’t mean anything. Just to be part of a winning team is the main thing.”

Nine years on and Stevenson is a completely different person. No longer is he a fresh-faced teenager just out of school, but he is a man now, and one with more responsibilities; both on and off the pitch.

He has a young family and has his son

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Louie, four, and daughter Luna, one, to look after away from football.

He certainly feels the difference in himself. His confidence levels are much higher, and he acknowledges the greater sense of responsibility that he has as part of the squad.

He said: “I feel more confident going out on to a football pitch. I might have got a few headlines that day, but I know myself that I’m a much better player now.

“My life has changed completely. I was still living in Fife and getting the train to training because I didn’t have a car – I was just a young boy in 2007 and had just left school.

“It was strange at the time, I had no responsibilities at all. There were no expectations on you as well. Now I have a lot more responsibilities with my family and being a senior member of the squad. I try and help out wherever I can.

“MY LIFE HAS CHANGED COMPLETELY. I WAS STILL GETTING THE TRAIN TO TRAINING AS I DIDN’T HAVE A CAR” “At the end of the day it’s a game of football. It’s the same pitch you’re playing on, it’s the same sport you’re playing, so there should be no differences on the day.”

Because of his age in the last final, the left-back admits that he maybe did not appreciate the victory as much as he should have done. His train of thought made him believe that he was going to begin a long association with winning silverware at Hibernian.

He would love to lift the League Cup again, not only for the experience, but because he wants to pay back the supporters who have continued to back the club, and himself, despite the rough patch they have endured.

The 28-year-old, who scored in the 3-0 win over Dundee United in the quarterfinal, said: “It would be amazing to win it.

I think I took the first time for granted. I thought winning cup finals and winning medals would come thick and fast and that’s not been the case. The fans have supported us and supported me over the years, so I feel like we are due them back.

“A club the size of Hibs, with the support we’ve got, should be winning a lot more trophies than we have done in recent times. Hopefully we can pay the fans back and pick up some more silverware in years to come. Starting in the League Cup Final would be a great way to go about it.”

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FINAL AMBITION Returning to Hampden today after a stunning 3-1 semi-final victory over Scottish League Cup holders Celtic, Ross County have proved they can handle the big stage.

But, as manager Jim McIntyre tells us, that victory means nothing unless his players leave the National Stadium with a winners’ medal around their necks...

By Andrew Ross (Ross County Press Officer)

H

aving featured in no fewer than three major cup finals as a player, Jim McIntyre is no stranger to the big stage.

And, with the Ross County manager ably assisted by Billy Dodds – who has both League and Scottish Cup winners’ medals to his name – it puts the Staggies gaffer in the perfect position to advise his players on how to approach the big occasion.

He said: “The most important thing about games like today’s is winning. It is all about handling the occasion and making sure that you concentrate on the game because there a lot of distractions such as getting tickets sorted for friends and family and media commitments that can take your eye off the ball.

“We made sure that was all taken care of very early last week so that all our players could clear their minds and prepare for the game. Of course, there will still be nerves as you get nearer to kick-off but I know that as soon as my players arrive at the stadium and get into the

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“NOBODY REMEMBERS THE RUNNERS-UP. AND YOU NEVER KNOW IF YOU’RE GOING TO BE IN THE POSITION TO WIN A CUP AGAIN SO YOU NEED TO GRASP IT”

dressing room environment all they will be thinking is how much they are looking forward to playing the match.”

Having dispatched holders Celtic and Scottish Cup holders Inverness Caledonian Thistle in previous rounds – along with a 7-0 defeat of Championship promotion hopefuls Falkirk – Ross County would be forgiven for approaching today’s final with a swagger.

Far from it, says the County manager.

The 43-year-old, who took over from Derek Adams in September 2014, said: “We will be approaching it exactly like the semi-final. It’s a one-off tie and Hibs being a Championship side has no bearing on it. We know from playing Dunfermline in the Scottish Cup how difficult playing a team from a lower league can be. If you don’t respect them you can easily come unstuck.

“If you look at Hibs they are essentially a Premiership side. Alan Stubbs has built a good squad there, with a mix of young, skilful players but also experienced professionals. Most of them have played at a higher level and I fully expect them to come up into the Ladbrokes Premiership this year.”

McIntyre may be quick to praise today’s opposition but he hasn’t taken his County side to the top four in the league, a cup final, and the latter stages of the Scottish Cup through lack of belief.

“Of course – saying that about Hibs – equally we are a very good side,” said the former Queen of the South boss.

“We’ve proven time and again this season that we can beat anyone on our day and will always create chances. We are at our best when we are attacking teams and we have scored goals in abundance this year. So we will take the game to Hibs today. We will come out and attack from the outset and try to win the game.”

I put it to McIntyre that after Ross

County’s Lazarus-like comeback against Celtic in the semi-final at a rain-soaked Hampden it seems clear that County have more about them than just attacking flair.

“That’s true. I think we proved when we beat Celtic after going behind so early in the game that this team has bags of character and experience. We have the ability to bounce back during a game or the following week if we have lost. That is the sign of a very strong dressing room.

“We never feel sorry for ourselves. We know how to roll our sleeves up and get going again so we have a good mixture of ability and spirit and it has served us well this season.”

Indeed it has. County have been on the cusp of the European places all season and have a cup final to look forward to today. From speaking to the demanding young manager, however, you get the impression that there will be no back-slapping or celebrations until a tangible reward for their efforts has been secured.

He said: “We are all motivated by the thought of lifting the cup today, from our most experience pros, who have been there and done it, to our younger lads who are hungry for their first major trophy. Getting to a final is great but it means nothing if you don’t win it.

“I remember when I reached a cup final with Kilmarnock there were a couple of young players in the team who thought this was going to happen every year but it didn’t happen to them again. So you can never take these occasions for granted and you have to do everything you can to come off the field with a winner’s medal.

“Nobody remembers the runners-up.

And you never know if you are going to be in the position to win a cup again so you need to grasp it and play as if it is the last game of football you are ever going to play.”

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RichaRd fosteR: in his own woRds With an SPL title and Champions League campaign under his belt, it will surprise many that Richard Foster has never featured in a national cup final. Here he tells us the tale of his career and why he’s never been happier than he is at Ross County

By Andrew Ross (Ross County Press Officer) Starting out “I got invited by Neil Simpson to go to Aberdeen for a trial when I was 11 years old and signed when I was 12. I signed a schoolboy form at 13 and then joined full-time at 16. I stayed at the club for about 11-and-a-half years so it was a big part of my life. I then joined Rangers on loan for a season in 2010 – returning to Aberdeen for six months – before moving to Bristol City on a permanent deal in 2012.”

Meeting the manager “It was at Bristol that I first worked under my current manager, Jim McIntyre.

He came in to work with Derek McInnes and took training and managed the reserve team. In fact, I remember playing against the gaffer when he was at Dundee United and I was at Aberdeen.”

Back to Scotland “I’d played every game bar one for Bristol City under Derek McInnes but

I never featured under the new manager (Sean O’Driscoll). So I moved back to Rangers for two seasons, which was good initially – it’s a great club with great facilities and we went unbeaten that first season back. The next season was quite difficult as we were chasing Hearts and there was obviously off-the-field stuff going on at the club.”

County calling “At the end of my final season at Ibrox I

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IN T ERV IE W just wanted a break. I knew an offer from Ross County was on the table and I was delighted with it because I knew the club and the area, being a local lad (born in Elgin), but I went on holiday with my girlfriend. Within two days we decided that moving to County was definitely something that appealed.”

First impressions “Everything has been great since I made the move north. I knew from knowing the manager at Bristol City what it would be like here. I knew the standards he would demand and that the training would be intense. When I spoke to him before signing he said he was targeting a top-six finish in the league and a good cup run.”

Back in the top flight “For me personally it has been great to get back to playing in the Premiership and it’s also been a breath of fresh air off the field. I’ve played a lot of games this season and it’s been great playing right-back, left-back and even in midfield. I enjoy the challenge and I’ve been really happy with my form.”

Good times “Coming to County was a great opportunity to prove to myself that I could still play in the top flight. I think

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“WITH A LEAGUE CUP FINAL TO LOOK FORWARD TO, THIS HAS BEEN MY BEST SEASON FOR A LONG TIME” I have done that. Like every season, we have had our disappointments with losing certain games but this season has probably been the most enjoyable I can remember for a long time.

“In my last full season with Aberdeen we finished in the bottom six so that wasn’t a great campaign. There was a lot of pressure playing for Rangers and at Bristol City I was involved in two relegation battles so this season, with the club going well in the league and having a good run in the Scottish Cup and with a League Cup Final to look forward to, has been my best season for a long time.”

Cup frustration “When I was at Aberdeen we got beaten

by Queen of the South in the Scottish Cup semi-final and then Dundee United in the League Cup semi-final. At Rangers we lost to Celtic in last season’s League Cup semi-final so when we met them this year I was thinking ‘Here we go again’ when we conceded early on. But thankfully it was a very different outcome.”

First final “The League Cup Final will be the biggest game of my career. It’s my first major cup final, it’s at Hampden and we’ve had a great run so far including beating Scottish Cup holders, Inverness, in the quarter-final as well as Celtic here in the semi. I’m 30 now and you do start thinking ‘Am I ever going to play in a final’ so to have the opportunity with Ross County is great and I’m relishing it.”

Team talk “We are all looking forward to the final and are there on merit, having beaten some good teams in the competition. It’s great for the club because, from the very top, it is run properly. The chairman is great, he backs the manager 100 per cent and the management team is excellent and has the boys playing really well.

“There’s a great bunch of lads at Ross County too – probably the best I have been involved with in my career. They are a great group who, as well as being very talented, all want to work really hard for each other and don’t mind doing the ugly side of the game. We have been reaping the rewards of that this season and I think today we have a great chance to win a bit of silverware together.” spfl.co.uk THE 2016 SCOTTISH LEAGUE CUP PRESENTED BY UTILITA 27

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MARK OXLEY

GOALKEEPER DATE OF BIRTH: 28/09/90 Has played in all five of Hibernian’s League Cup ties and has conceded only one goal so far – Joe Shaughnessy’s header for St Johnstone in the semi-final. The 25-year-old joined on loan from Hull City in the summer of 2014 and scored on his league debut against Livingston at Easter Road.

Penned a two-year deal at the start of the current campaign. Capped by England at U18 and U20 level, he began his career with Rotherham before joining Hull in 2008. Has also had loan spells at Walsall, Grimsby, Burton Albion and Oldham.

OTSO VIRTANEN

MEET THE SQUAD

GOALKEEPER DATE OF BIRTH: 03/04/94 The Finn was Hibernian’s fifth January signing and is now the understudy to first-choice goalkeeper Mark Oxley following the departure of former Inverness CT, Ross County and Kilmarnock keeper Antonio Reguero from Easter Road before the closure of the transfer window. The 21-year-old was on the bench for the 2-1 League Cup semi-final win over St Johnstone at Tynecastle. Capped by Finland at U21 level, he began his career with TPS and was snapped up by Hibs boss Alan Stubbs from IFK Mariehamn on a deal until the summer of 2019.

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PL AY ER PRO F IL E S

DAVID GRAY

LIAM FONTAINE

LEWIS STEVENSON

DEFENDER DATE OF BIRTH: 04/05/88

DEFENDER DATE OF BIRTH: 07/01/86

DEFENDER DATE OF BIRTH: 05/01/88

The Hibernian captain has started four of the five League Cup ties this season – he didn’t feature in the 1-0 win over Stranraer – and scored in the 3-0 defeat of Dundee United in the quarter-final at Easter Road. The 27-year-old was on the books at Tynecastle as a youngster and spent several seasons at Manchester United – including loans at Royal Antwerp, Crewe and Plymouth – before joining Preston North End in 2010. Had spells with Stevenage and Burton Albion prior to moving to Hibs in the summer of 2014. Capped by Scotland at U21 level.

One of five Hibernian players who has started all five League Cup ties en route to this afternoon’s final. The 30-year-old vice-captain joined the club in August 2014 and made his debut in a League Cup tie against Dumbarton. Signed a new two-year deal in the summer and scored his only goal of the season so far in the 4-2 home win over Dumbarton in October. Fontaine began his career with Fulham and had loan spells with Yeovil Town, Kilmarnock and Bristol City, prior to signing a permanent deal at Ashton Gate in 2006.

Was named man of the match when Hibernian beat Kilmarnock 5-1 to lift the League Cup for the third time in their history nine years ago. The 28-year-old left-back is the longest-serving player at Easter Road, having made his debut in a League Cup tie against Ayr United back in September 2005. Penned a new two-year contract in the summer and has started all five ties this season.

Netted a rare goal when Hibs beat Dundee United 3-0 in the quarter-final at Easter Road.

Has been capped by Scotland at U21 level.

DARREN MCGREGOR

NIKLAS GUNNARSSON

LIAM HENDERSON

DEFENDER DATE OF BIRTH: 07/08/85

DEFENDER DATE OF BIRTH: 27/04/91

MIDFIELDER DATE OF BIRTH: 25/04/96

Came on as a late substitute for Liam Henderson in the League Cup semi-final at Tynecastle, having made his Hibs debut in the 1-0 win against Stranraer in this competition back in August. Joined on a two-year deal from Ladbrokes Championship rivals Rangers, the 30-year-old has previously played for Junior side Arniston Rangers as well as Cowdenbeath and St Mirren but he missed the Buddies’ League Cup Final win against Hearts in 2013 due to injury.

His only goal for Hibs so far came in the Scottish Cup win away to Raith Rovers in January.

Was an unused substitute for the League Cup semi-final, having made his Hibernian debut in the Scottish Cup victory at Stark’s Park earlier in January following his move on loan from Norwegian outfit Valerenga until the end of the season. Spent time on loan at Swedish side Elfsborg earlier in 2015/16. Right-back who made his professional debut with Odd in Norway.

Strong and athletic, he became Hibernian’s second signing of the winter transfer window and is comfortable anywhere across the back four.

Only 19 but a very important player for Alan Stubbs’ side. The teenager is on a season-long loan deal from Celtic and made his debut in the 1-0 home win over Morton on August 15. Scored his first goal in the 3-0 victory against Alloa in September and netted his fifth of the season in the recent 3-2 defeat at Dumbarton. Capped by Scotland at U21 level, he spent time on loan with Norwegian side Rosenborg between April and June 2015. Is the son of former Cowdenbeath, Falkirk and Partick Thistle midfielder Nicky Henderson.

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FROM YOUR CLUB

PL AY ER PRO F IL E S

MARVIN BARTLEY

JOHN MCGINN

FRASER FYVIE

MIDFIELDER DATE OF BIRTH: 04/07/86

MIDFIELDER DATE OF BIRTH: 18/10/94

MIDFIELDER DATE OF BIRTH: 27/03/93

Was suspended for last weekend’s Scottish Cup quarter-final against holders Inverness Caley Thistle but is available today. The 29-year-old made his debut in the League Cup tie against Montrose on August 1, having signed a two-year deal after moving north from Leyton Orient, but was an unused substitute for the semi-final at Tynecastle. Played for Bournemouth between 2007 and 2011 then switched to Burnley. Stepped up from non-league football in England, where he played for Hayes, Didcot Town and Hampton & Richmond Borough. A holding midfielder, he is yet to score for Hibs.

An outstanding talent who was named man of the match when Hibs beat St Johnstone in the League Cup semi-final, with the 21-year-old scoring the winner via a terrific strike from outside the box. Helped St Mirren to League Cup glory for the first time in their history when they beat Hearts 3-2 three years ago.

Signed a four-year contract in the summer and made his debut in the 2-1 defeat at Dumbarton on August 8. Has been named in the Scotland squad to face Denmark on March 29.

Has featured in four of Hibernian’s League Cup ties this season but missed the third-round win over former club Aberdeen due to injury. The 22-year-old midfielder made his debut in a Scottish Cup tie against Arbroath last season after joining on a short-term deal from Wigan Athletic then signed a two-year contract at Easter Road in June. A former Scotland U21 cap, he had loan spells with Yeovil and Shrewsbury when at Wigan. Yet to score for Hibs this season – his two goals for the club came against Cowdenbeath and Raith Rovers last March.

DAN CARMICHAEL

KEVIN THOMSON

FARID EL ALAGUI

MIDFIELDER DATE OF BIRTH: 21/06/90

MIDFIELDER DATE OF BIRTH: 14/10/84

The 25-year-old summer signing from Queen of the South has endured a frustrating campaign due to injury and was out for four months after helping Hibs beat his former club 3-0 at Palmerston in early October. Returned as a substitute when Alan Stubbs’ men beat Hearts 1-0 in their recent Scottish Cup replay. The winger is under contract until the end of next season and made his debut in the 1-0 home win over Morton on August 15. Scored his first goal for the club in the 3-0 victory against Alloa on February 21.

Began his third spell at Easter Road on January 22 when he signed until the end of the season after parting company with Dundee. The 31-year-old was an unused substitute in the League Cup semi-final but came on for the injured Dylan McGeouch in the Scottish Cup tie at Tynecastle. A Scotland internationalist, who has also played for Middlesbrough, he left Hibs for Rangers in the January prior to them lifting this trophy in 2006/07.

Helped Walter Smith’s men beat St Mirren 1-0 in the 2009/10 final but was sent off in that game.

FORWARD DATE OF BIRTH: 28/08/85 Joined the club from Brentford on a two-year deal in the summer of 2014 but injuries have limited his appearances at Easter Road. He returned to the squad last month and scored his first goal of the season in the 3-2 defeat at Dumbarton. The Bordeaux-born 30-year-old played for Dundee United on loan in the second half of 2013/14 while a prolific spell with Falkirk in 2011/12 earned him a move to Griffin Park in July 2012. Came on as a sub in the League Cup quarter-final against Dundee United.

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PL AY ER PRO F IL E S

OLI SHAW

FORWARD DATE OF BIRTH: 12/08/98 The teenage forward celebrated his 18th birthday yesterday and has a chance of being involved in the squad for today’s big game.

A prolific scorer for the Hibernian U20 squad, he made his first-team debut as a substitute in the 3-0 win over Montrose in the League Cup first round at Easter Road on August 1.

He has been on the bench a number of times since then, most recently for the 1-1 draw against Inverness Caley Thistle in the Scottish Cup last weekend.

MARTIN BOYLE

JASON CUMMINGS

FORWARD DATE OF BIRTH: 01/08/95 Hibernian’s leading marksman opened the scoring from the penalty spot against St Johnstone in the semi-final and took his tally for the season to 20 goals – all of them singles – when Hibs knocked Hearts out of the Scottish Cup, although a red card in that tie saw him miss last weekend’s quarter-final. The 20-year-old, who scored 21 times last season, joined from Hutchison Vale and made his debut against Inverness CT in November 2013. Has netted four League Cup goals this season – against Montrose, Aberdeen, Dundee United and St Johnstone.

JAMES KEATINGS

CHRIS DAGNALL

FORWARD DATE OF BIRTH: 15/04/86 Was the first of Hibernian’s five January signings – the 29-year-old made his debut in the Scottish Cup tie against Raith Rovers at Stark’s Park after joining from Kerala Blasters in India until the end of the season. Started the semi-final against St Johnstone but still looking for the first goal of his short Easter Road career. Started out with Tranmere Rovers and has also played for Rochdale, Scunthorpe United, Barnsley and Leyton Orient, in addition to loan spells with Bradford City and Coventry City.

ANTHONY STOKES

FORWARD DATE OF BIRTH: 25/04/93

FORWARD DATE OF BIRTH: 20/01/92

FORWARD DATE OF BIRTH: 25/07/88

Has often been used as a substitute this season but started the League Cup victories over Stranraer and Aberdeen. Came on during the 3-0 win over Dundee United but was left on the bench against St Johnstone. Has scored five times this season, including a double in the 3-0 defeat of Alloa at Easter Road three weeks ago. Initially joined Hibs on loan from Dundee before signing a two-year deal in the summer. The 22-year-old made his name at Montrose and his goalscoring exploits earned him a move to Dens Park in 2012.

Came on as a late replacement for Jason Cummings against St Johnstone in the semi-final but started the quarter-final victory over Dundee United. Has scored eight goals this season, including a hat-trick in the 4-1 win at St Mirren in November and a double in the 2-1 midweek defeat of Livingston at Easter Road later that month. The 24-year-old began his career with Celtic and has also played for St Johnstone on loan. Helped Hamilton Accies win the Championship in 2013/14 and repeated the feat with Hearts last season.

Joined on loan from Celtic in January and marked the start of his second spell by scoring in a 3-1 victory over St Mirren before netting the only goal in a 1-0 win at Morton on February 2.

Missed the League Cup semi-final due to injury.

The 27-year-old was in the Celtic team that beat Dundee United to win this competition a year ago. A Republic of Ireland internationalist, he began his career with Arsenal and shone on loan at Falkirk before joining Sunderland. Has also had loan spells at Sheffield United and Crystal Palace.

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“

The Lost Tornado

‘A cross between KES and Angela’s Ashes’ The humour and exploits had me howling with laughter -so much so that my wife would not allow me to read it outdoors!

”

“Extremely funny, sometimes heartbreakingly sad.

What a compelling read, beautifully written with brutal honesty.”

“I had to stop reading it on the bus as I laughed too much!”

“

Lots of novels are set in Edinburgh but Divine shows another side of the city not seen elsewhere.

”

Hibernian FC, 1970’s, Turnbull’s Tornadoes, Tank Tops, Platform Shoes, Joanna Lumley, 46th BB, Allan Wells, Nits, Job Creation, Elton John, Georgie Best and Almost 3 Accidental Killings!

From an impoverished Edinburgh childhood, where Dad tapped the electricity supply from the street lamp outside their Pilton home to provide heat for the ten kids. This hilarious autobiography recounts the highs and lows of a life spent searching for answers to the big questions: Will I ever get a game for Hibs? Was that really Joanna

Available from

Lumley I spotted down Leith Walk? And how in hell’s name did I manage to avoid killing those three people? The Lost Tornado is a whirlwind trip down the most brightly-coloured memory lane, where a young man's everyday battles become the stuff of comic brilliance.

Kindle & Paperback

GARY WOODS

GOALKEEPER DATE OF BIRTH: 01/10/90 Was on the bench for the semi-final against Celtic but the 25-year-old played in the quarterfinal victory against Inverness Caley Thistle and will be between the posts today as Scott Fox is sidelined with a knee injury. Arrived on loan from Leyton Orient at the beginning of September and in January that deal was extended until the end of the season. Was at Old Trafford as a youngster before moving to Doncaster Rovers then Watford. Made his first start for County in the 2-0 Friday night win over Aberdeen in October.

CHRIS KONOPKA

MEET THE SQUAD

GOALKEEPER DATE OF BIRTH: 14/04/85 The 30-year-old signed a short-term deal at the Global Energy Stadium in the build-up to the cup final following the recent injury Scott Fox. U20 goalkeeper Mark Foden has been on the bench for the last couple of games but Konopka, who was most recently with MLS side Toronto, looks set to be in the squad today. He has had spells with New York Red Bulls and Philadelphia Union and also played for Bohemians, Sporting Fingal and Waterford in Ireland.

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PL AY ER PRO F IL E S

SCOTT BOYD

JAMIE RECKORD

MARCUS FRASER

DEFENDER DATE OF BIRTH: 04/06/86

DEFENDER DATE OF BIRTH: 09/03/92

DEFENDER DATE OF BIRTH: 23/06/94

Was an unused substitute in the semi-final but Boyd is a Ross County legend and became the club’s record appearance holder since they joined the SFL when he played his 288th game in the League Cup tie against Ayr United in August. Also featured in the 7-0 win over Falkirk in the third round. Started out at Livingston and moved to the Staggies from Partick Thistle in 2007, initially on loan. The 29-year-old scored the goal that knocked Hibernian out of the Scottish Cup in a quarter-final replay in Dingwall in March 2010.

Has started three of Ross County’s League Cup ties but was on the bench for the semi-final win over Celtic. Celebrated his 24th birthday on Wednesday. Capped by England at U16 and U17 level, Reckord began his career at Wolves and had loan spells at Northampton Town, Scunthorpe United, Coventry City, Plymouth Argyle and Swindon Town prior to joining Ross County in October 2014. Made his debut for the club in a 3-0 win over Kilmarnock at Rugby Park – his only goal so far was against Dundee just over a year ago.

The 21-year-old has featured in three of the four games en route today’s showpiece but didn’t play against Falkirk in round three when he was an unused substitute. The former Celtic defender made his debut in a 1-0 defeat to his old club in January 2015, having spent the first half of last season on loan at Cowdenbeath. Under contract at the Global Energy Stadium until 2017, he has been capped by Scotland at U21 level. His only goal for the Staggies so far came in a 3-1 win against Partick Thistle at Firhill last February.

ANDREW DAVIES

CHRIS ROBERTSON

RICHARD FOSTER

DEFENDER DATE OF BIRTH: 17/12/84

DEFENDER DATE OF BIRTH: 11/10/85

The Ross County captain started the League Cup wins against Ayr United, Inverness CT and Celtic and has been a key player since arriving on a two-year deal from Bradford City in the summer. Has previous League Cup final experience, having featured for the Bantams against Swansea City in 2013. The 31-year-old has a wealth of experience south of the border, with Middlesbrough, Southampton and Stoke plus loan spells with QPR, Derby, Preston, Sheffield United, Walsall and Crystal Palace. Has scored twice for County – against Kilmarnock and Dundee United in August.

Two League Cup appearances this season – against Falkirk and Inverness CT but missed out on a place in the matchday 18 for the semi-final. Returned to the starting XI for the 2-0 defeat at Celtic Park on February 13 for his first appearance in a month.

The 30-year-old was born in Dundee but spent the whole of his career in England prior to penning a two-year deal in the summer after leaving Port Vale. Started with Sheffield United and had loan spells at Leigh RMI and Chester City before moving on to Torquay then Preston.

DEFENDER DATE OF BIRTH: 31/07/85 Started the League Cup victories against Falkirk and Celtic and came on as a substitute in the Highland derby triumph. Agreed a two-year deal in Dingwall at the start of the season after leaving Rangers. The 30-year-old is a former Scotland U21 internationalist who spent the majority of his career with Aberdeen – his debut was in May 2003 – before joining Bristol City in January 2012. He made the move to Ibrox in the summer of 2013 – having helped them win the SPL title when on loan in 2010/11.

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PL AY ER PRO F IL E S

PAUL QUINN

DEFENDER DATE OF BIRTH: 21/07/85 Scored the goal that put Ross County 2-1 up against Celtic in the semi-final as he marked the first game of his second spell at the club in style. Left Dingwall for Aberdeen in the summer but now back with the Staggies. Scored a winner for the Dons against Celtic in September and also netted for County against Linlithgow Rose but better known for his defensive qualities.

The 30-year-old began his career at Motherwell before joining Cardiff City in June 2009. Had a spell at Doncaster before starting his first stint in the Highlands in October 2014.

JACKSON IRVINE

CHRISTOPHER MCLAUGHLIN DEFENDER DATE OF BIRTH: 05/03/96

The 20-year-old made his Ross County debut in the Ladbrokes Premiership game against Dundee United in Dingwall at the end of February and was on the bench for the two games that followed - at Kilmarnock in the Ladbrokes Premiership and at home to Dundee United in the Scottish Cup, having been promoted from the U20 squad. Made the move to Dingwall from Tannadice at the start of the season and was on the books at Falkirk before that.

MARTIN WOODS

MICHAEL GARDYNE

MIDFIELDER DATE OF BIRTH: 23/01/86 The 30-year-old attacking midfielder is a huge favourite in Dingwall and has scored twice en route to this afternoon’s final – against Ayr United and Caley Thistle. Was in the team that beat his former club Celtic in the semi-final and is a veteran of the County side that faced Dundee United in the 2010 Scottish Cup final.

Has also played for Morton, Dundee United and Kilmarnock and has scored seven times this season. Signed a two-year deal with County in the summer, having been on loan from Tannadice prior to that.

RAFFAELE DE VITA

MIDFIELDER DATE OF BIRTH: 07/03/93

MIDFIELDER DATE OF BIRTH: 01/01/86

MIDFIELDER DATE OF BIRTH: 23/09/87

Celebrated his 23rd birthday on Monday and is the only Ross County player to have started all four games on the road to the final. Scored the opener in the 2-1 win against their Highland rivals in the quarter-finals and has also netted in Ladbrokes Premiership victories over Dundee on Boxing Day and Motherwell at Fir Park in January. A full internationalist with Australia, Jackson was previously with Celtic and had a loan spell at Kilmarnock. Signed a two-year deal in Dingwall at the start of the season, having previously been on loan.

Started the quarter-final win at Inverness and was named man of the match for an outstanding display in the semi-final victory over Celtic, converting the penalty to make it 1-1. That was the first goal in his second spell with the club, which began when he agreed a two-year deal following his departure from Shrewsbury Town in August. The 30-year-old was previously at the Global Energy Stadium in 2014/15 after leaving Barnsley. Began his career at Elland Road and has also played for Sunderland, Rotherham, Doncaster, Hartlepool and Yeovil.

Scored in the 7-0 League Cup rout of Falkirk in September and also featured against Ayr United in round two but was an unused substitute for the semi-final. The 28-year-old Italian winger scored his second goal of the season in the Scottish Cup replay win over Dunfermline but hasn’t held down a regular place in the team in 2015/16. Started out with Blackburn Rovers and moved to Livingston in 2008.

Returned south to play for Swindon, Bradford and Cheltenham before making a scoring debut for Ross County in a 3-2 win over Motherwell in February 2015.

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PL AY ER PRO F IL E S

IAN MCSHANE

JONATHAN FRANKS

STEWART MURDOCH

MIDFIELDER DATE OF BIRTH: 20/12/92

MIDFIELDER DATE OF BIRTH: 08/04/90

MIDFIELDER DATE OF BIRTH: 09/05/90

The 23-year-old made the move from Dumfries to Dingwall in the summer when he penned a three-year deal with the Staggies, having worked under manager Jim McIntyre at Queen of the South. Had to wait patiently for a run in the team but the midfielder started the semi-final against Celtic, having also featured against Ayr United and Falkirk in earlier rounds. Scored his first goals for the club when he netted a double in the 3-2 defeat to Aberdeen in January and was also on target in the 2-1 win over Hamilton last month.

Came on as a first-half substitute for Stewart Murdoch against Celtic in the semi-final and was on target in the 7-0 home win over Falkirk in round three. Scored after just four minutes of his County debut in the 4-0 win at Kilmarnock on August 22 but not a noted goalscorer. The 25-year-old signed a two-year deal with the Staggies after leaving Hartlepool at the end of last season. Capped by England at U20 level, he began his career at Middlesbrough and has also had loan spells with Oxford United and Yeovil Town.

The 25-year-old has made more substitute appearances than any other Ross County player this season but started against Celtic in the semi-final and also featured against Falkirk and Inverness CT in earlier rounds. Signed a two-year deal in the summer after leaving Fleetwood Town and made his debut in the 2-0 defeat at Parkhead on the opening day of the season. Scored his first goal for the Staggies in the 3-1 win at Hamilton Accies on December 12. Began his career at Falkirk and has also had loan spells at Berwick and East Fife.

LIAM BOYCE

BRIAN GRAHAM

ALEX SCHALK

FORWARD DATE OF BIRTH: 08/04/91

FORWARD DATE OF BIRTH: 23/11/87

FORWARD DATE OF BIRTH: 07/08/92

Ross County’s top scorer returned as a late substitute in the semi-final after a month out with a broken hand and recently signed a new contract until summer 2018. His 18-goal haul this season includes two hat-tricks – against Falkirk in the League Cup and Dundee in the Ladbrokes Premiership. Joined the Staggies from Belfast-based Cliftonville in 2014, having also played for Werder Bremen’s B team earlier in his career. A Northern Ireland internationalist, he will be hoping to spend the summer in France at Euro 2016 with Michael O’Neill’s side.

Replaced Alex Schalk with 20 minutes left in the semi-final defeat of Celtic, having scored his first goal for the Staggies in the 7-0 demolition of Falkirk in League Cup round three. The 28-year-old has weighed in with nine goals so far, including doubles in the 2-0 win over Aberdeen in the Ladbrokes Premiership and the 4-2 victory against Linlithgow Rose in the Scottish Cup. Previously with Morton, East Stirlingshire (loan), Raith Rovers, Dundee United and St Johnstone (loan). Signed a two-year deal in the summer after leaving Tannadice.

Scored the goal that sealed Ross County’s place in the League Cup final, beating Craig Gordon with a fine finish shortly after the hour mark.

Made his debut as a substitute in the 2-1 win over Inverness Caley Thistle in the quarter-final.

Capped by Holland at U21 level, he was with NAC Breda then Go Ahead Eagles before moving to Scotland. Scored his first goal in the 2-2 draw with Dunfermline in the Scottish Cup and claimed his fifth goal for the Staggies against Kilmarnock this month.

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Play Ball!

Kick off your little one’s learning with fun and easy games that you can play at home.

It helps build their hand-eye coordination and will stimulate their motor skills. Who knows, in a few years time they could be playing in the League Cup final.

1

Kitchen basketball - pop the little one on the kitchen floor and set out pots and pans. Help them land the ball inside.

2

Loo roll bowling alley - line up empty toilet roll tubes, or plastic bottles, and roll the ball to knock them down.

3

Rolling around - simply roll the ball back and forth to your little one, or sit them on your lap and roll it together.

4

Parachutes - using a pillow case or towel toss the ball into the air - just like PE lessons in the school gym.

5

Up and away - find something to throw the ball over, maybe a line of cereal boxes, and have a game of volleyball.

We’d love to see you and your little ones in action, why not post a picture and tag #playtalkread on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram

For loads more ideas visit playtalkread.scot

PREVIOUS MEETINGS

Hibernian and Ross County are meeting for the 12th time this afternoon. Here’s the story so far, with five wins for the Staggies, four for Hibs and two draws...

Saturday March 13, 2010

Scottish Cup quarter-final Hibernian 2-2 Ross County Colin Nish gave Hibs an early lead and they went back in front through Derek Riordan after an Ian Murray own goal had levelled matters.

Michael Gardyne grabbed the equaliser with 11 minutes left as Derek Adams’ First Division Staggies forced a replay.

Tuesday March 23, 2010

Scottish Cup quarter-final replay Ross County 2-1 Hibernian Scott Boyd scored a last-minute winner as County reached the semi-finals of the Scottish Cup on a dramatic night in Dingwall. Anthony Stokes put Hibs in front just after the break but Garry Wood equalised with 20 minutes remaining and Boyd sparked wild celebrations among the home fans in the 5,607 crowd when he pounced with extra time looming.

Saturday October 20, 2012

Scottish Premier League Ross County 3-2 Hibernian Colin McMenamin struck seven minutes from the end to settle a compelling clash in County’s favour. Leigh Griffiths scored early on for Hibernian but Stuart Kettlewell soon equalised and Iain Vigurs made it 2-1 for the Staggies.

James McPake levelled things up before half-time but McMenamin had the final say.

Wednesday December 26, 2012 Scottish Premier League Hibernian 0-1 Ross County Richie Brittain scored the only goal 12 minutes after half-time as the Staggies celebrated a Boxing Day victory at Easter Road.

Wednesday January 30, 2013

Scottish Premier League Ross County 1-0 Hibernian Ivan Sproule’s first-half goal proved decisive against his former club as the Highlanders completed the clean sweep over Hibs on their way to finishing fifth in the table.

Thursday December 26, 2013

Scottish Premiership Ross County 0-2 Hibernian Michael Nelson and Jordan Forster got the goals as Hibs made it two wins in Dingwall in the space of a month.

Saturday February 15, 2014

Scottish Premiership Hibernian 2-1 Ross County Sam Stanton and Tom Taiwo scored in the first half as Hibs came out on top at Easter Road. Richie Brittain pulled one back just before the hour mark.

Tuesday May 6, 2014

Scottish Premiership Hibernian 0-0 Ross County It ended honours even in an early-season encounter at Easter Road – the only goalless match in the 11 meetings so far.

Scottish Premiership Ross County 1-0 Hibernian Richie Brittain’s 63rd-minute penalty won it as Ross County preserved their top-flight status and pushed Terry Butcher’s team closer to the relegation play-off.

Brittain beat Ben Williams from the spot after Jordan Slew had been brought down by Scott Robertson.

Saturday November 30, 2013

Tuesday September 23, 2014

Saturday August 31, 2013

Scottish Cup fourth round Ross County 0-1 Hibernian Danny Handling’s first-half goal earned Hibs their first victory over the Staggies as they progressed to the last 16 of the Scottish Cup despite having Paul Cairney sent off with 19 minutes remaining.

Scottish League Cup third round Ross County 0-2 Hibernian Neither side had started the season well but a first-half double from Dom Malonga sent Hibs into the last eight of the League Cup in the most recent meeting between the teams. The visitors were reduced to 10 men with seven minutes left when Dylan McGeouch was sent off for a late tackle on Joe Cardle.

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PA S T M ATCH - UP S

The line-ups when they last met Ross County 21 2 4 7 10 11 15 18 19 23 36

Mark Brown Tim Dreesen Rocco Quinn Joe Cardle Filip Kiss (Liam Boyce 58) Melvin De Leeuw (Michael Gardyne 53) Yoann Arquin Ben Frempah Jim Fenlon (Richie Brittain 41) Graham Carey Jackson Irvine

1 2 4 5 6 8 10 16 23 24 35

Mark Oxley David Gray Paul Hanlon Liam Fontaine Jordan Forster Scott Robertson Liam Craig Lewis Stevenson Dylan McGeouch Dom Malonga (Paul Heffernan 86) Jason Cummings (Scott Allan 83)

Hibernian

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PAT STANTON SCORES AGAINST CELTIC IN THE 1972 LEAGUE CUP FINAL

THE CLASS OF ’72

Hibernian legend Pat Stanton was a key figure as Eddie Turnbull’s men beat Celtic 2-1 to take the League Cup back to Easter Road for the first time in 1972

By Lindsay Herron

H

oly Cross Academy in Edinburgh was traditionally renowned for its rugby players and cricketers but the now defunct school can proudly boast two alumni who hold very special places in the history of Hibernian.

Pat Stanton and Jimmy O’Rourke were typical schoolboys who idolised the great Hibs team of the 1950s, hoping one day to get their chance to play for their heroes.

Little did they know that they would be responsible for one of Hibernian’s greatest days – the club’s first League Cup triumph on December 9, 1972

when Eddie Turnbull’s men deservedly defeated Jock Stein’s Celtic 2-1 in front of 71,696 fans at Hampden.

It was therapeutic as much as joyful for everyone connected with the Easter Road club because only seven months earlier they had been clobbered 6-1

by Celtic in the Scottish Cup Final.

There were some memorable games between these two sides in those days, with Hibs winning the curtain-raising Drybrough Cup tournament in August 1972 with a 5-3 extra time victory over Celtic and duly retained the trophy with a 1-0 win the following year.

However, this was the one that

mattered for a terrific Hibs team that probably deserved to win more than the solitary major honour it achieved.

While it was a celebration for everyone connected with the club, the day belonged to Stanton, undoubtedly one of club’s greatest captains, who went on to make 617 appearances.

He bossed the game from the middle of the park, scored the first goal and fatefully set up the second for his old school pal O’Rourke. A Kenny Dalglish counter made the latter stages nerve-wracking but Hibs were worthy winners.

Stanton said: “It was a great day and it was two very good teams playing each

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L E AGUE CUP MEMO RIE S other. Looking back at the match – which was a very good contest – there were quality players all over pitch.

“Celtic had Kenny Dalglish, Danny McGrain, Davie Hay, George Connelly and others and we had some good players too like John Brownlie, John Blackley and Alex Cropley – all these people.

“I mean Brownlie was as good a right-back as we had seen for a while and I know Alex Ferguson still talks about him. He was an outstanding player.

“Blackley and Cropley were top class and we had Arthur Duncan on the wing.

Alex Edwards was another very talented player and why he didn’t get a Scotland cap I will never know.

“Of course, from our point of view, we had been bitterly disappointed by the Scottish Cup Final the season before so we felt we had a lot to make up for. I feel the League Cup that season went some way to redeeming ourselves but the other one still sticks in the throat a bit. We felt as if we owed the supporters something and they turned out on what was a miserable December day.”

It was a clever free-kick move which led to Hibs going ahead on the hour mark but

Stanton had to show great composure to score, taking Edwards’ ball into the box on his thigh then creating space for himself before shooting past Evan Williams.

The second goal six minutes later was a magnificent move as Stanton fed Edwards then burst down the right wing where Edwards found him perfectly with a lovely weighted pass. The captain looked up and picked out O’Rourke with a pin-point cross and he bulleted a header into the net from eight yards.

Typically, Stanton remains modest about his contribution: “It stands out as a great memory for me – and who would have thought that the two goalscorers that day came from the same school team.

“Jimmy and I were at Holy Cross Academy together. We weren’t very academic but we managed to stumble along on the football side. I didn’t score that many so I picked a good time to get a goal that day, although it wasn’t the easiest of chances to put away.

“When the ball dropped to my feet I couldn’t hit it right away because there were players in front of me so I had to move sideways to get some space and

JIMMY O’ROURKE CELEBRATES HIS GOAL

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L E AGUE CUP MEMO RIE S HIBS ALSO LIFTED THE DRYBROUGH CUP IN 1972, BEATING CELTIC 5-3 IN THE FINAL. PAT STANTON HOLDS THE TROPHY ALOFT

“I THINK THAT HIBS TEAM WAS A WEE BIT UNLUCKY THAT THEIR TIME COINCIDED WITH A STRONG CELTIC AND RANGERS, OTHERWISE WE MIGHT HAVE WON A FEW MORE COMPETITIONS”

I suppose the Hibs supporters must have thought I was taking forever. But I got there in the end!

“For the second goal Jimmy made a good run and I managed to pick him out so that was a great moment too.

We had another effort cleared off the line so I think we were worthy winners.

“That said, when Kenny pulled one back towards the end it was a long time between him scoring that goal and the final whistle blowing.”

Hibs went on to finish third in the league that season and were runners-up in 1973/74 and 1974/75 before finishing third again in 1975/76, having

also contested the 1974/75 League Cup Final, which they lost 6-3 to Celtic.

Unfortunately for them they just could not break the powerful grip of Glasgow’s big two.

Stanton said: “I think that Hibs team was a wee bit unlucky that their time coincided with a strong Celtic and then a strong Rangers otherwise we might have won a few more competitions and been more successful.

“Celtic were still a force in 1972 and Rangers were coming back strong so maybe we could have filled the space if that wasn’t the case. But it was just the time we were playing at and that was it.”

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L E AGUE CUP MEMO RIE S HIBS PLAYERS CELEBRATE AFTER SCORING IN THE 1972 LEAGUE CUP FINAL

Now 71 but still as committed to his club as ever, Stanton will be at Hampden today – as he has been for every cup final since his playing days came to an end – willing Hibs on.

He added: “It’s a chance for this team to make a bit of history for themselves.

They have worked hard this season and they have put themselves in a position to do something.

“Winning the League Cup would be fantastic for the supporters and it would undoubtedly give the players a massive boost for the remainder of the season.”

THE TEAM THAT MADE HISTORY 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

Jim Herriot John Brownlie Erich Schaedler Pat Stanton Jim Black John Blackley Alex Edwards Jimmy O’Rourke Alan Gordon Alex Cropley Arthur Duncan

PAT STANTON

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ROSS COUNTY IN THE LEAGUE CUP Ross County’s appearance in the final this afternoon also marks their 50th League Cup tie, the first of which was a 3-2 win against Queen’s Park on August 10, 1994

A

crowd of 1,924 at Victoria Park saw goals from Brian Grant and Jamie MacPherson put Bobby Wilson’s team 2-0 up and Grant grabbed a last-minute winner after Gary Orr and Ian Maxwell had hauled the Spiders level.

Prior to this season, the Staggies had never gone beyond the quarter-finals of the League Cup but, during Neale Cooper’s time in charge, they twice went close to reaching the last four.

In 1998/99, Ross County were a Third Division club – albeit one who would go on to win the title that year – and they knocked out Montrose and Morton before shocking Dundee United 2-0 in Dingwall thanks to an extra-time double from future boss Derek Adams. That set up a quarter-final clash with Hearts at Tynecastle and the Staggies led through Roy McBain’s 41st-minute goal.

A famous win was within sight but Derek Holmes equalised for Jim Jefferies’ team with 20 minutes left and, although the home side than had Paul Ritchie sent off, extra time failed to produce a goal and it all went wrong for County in the shoot-out, as Hearts progressed 3-0 on spot-kicks before losing 3-0 to St Johnstone in the semi-final at Easter Road.

Ross County enjoyed another League Cup campaign to remember as a First Division club in 2001/02, knocking out SPL sides Hearts (on penalties after a 0-0 draw) and Dundee (2-1) to land a quarter-final clash with Rangers in Dingwall. Shota Arveladze and Claudio Reyna scored in the first half for Dick Advocaat’s team but there was an incredible finish to the match that saw substitute Steven Mackay pull one back in the last minute before County were awarded a stoppage-time penalty. Lorenzo Amoruso was sent off by referee John Rowbotham for bringing down Conor Gethins but Ian Maxwell saw his spot-kick saved by Stefan Klos and Rangers went on to lift the trophy.

Today’s game is the second League Cup meeting between the teams – Hibernian won the first 2-0 in Dingwall last season thanks to a double from Dom Malonga.

derek adams scores against dundee united in 1998

First League Cup line-up 1 Steve Hutchison 2 Chris Somerville 3 Gary Campbell 4 Robbie Williamson 5 Alexander MacLeod 6 Billy Herd 7 Billy Ferries 8 Andy MacLeod 9 Brian Grant 10 Jamie MacPherson 11 Barry Wilson

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S TAGGIE S S TATS COUNTY’S COMPLETE LEAGUE CUP RECORD 1994/95 R1 Queen’s Park R2 Raith Rovers

(H) (H)

3-2 0-5

1995/96 R1 Arbroath

(H)

0-2

1996/97 R1 Queen’s Park

(A)

1-3 (AET)

1997/98 R1 Montrose R2 Falkirk

(H) (H)

2-1 0-3

1998/99 R1 Montrose (H) R2 Morton (A) R3 Dundee United (H) QF Hearts (A) Hearts won 3-0 on penalties

4-1 1-0 2-0 (AET) 1-1 (AET)

1999/00 R1 Forfar Athletic R2 Dundee United

(H) (A)

2-1 (AET) 1-3 (AET)

2000/01 R1 Albion Rovers R2 St Mirren

(H) (H)

1-0 1-3 (AET)

2001/02 R1 Brechin City (H) 3-0 R2 Hearts (H) 0-0 (AET) Ross County won 5-4 on penalties R3 Dundee (H) 2-1 QF Rangers (H) 1-2 2002/03 R1 Clyde R2 Hamilton Accies R3 Hearts

(A) (H) (A)

1-0 3-0 0-3

2003/04 R1 East Stirlingshire (A) R2 Queen of the South (H)

2-1 0-3

2004/05 R1 Dumbarton R2 Inverness CT

3-1 0-1

(A) (H)

SEAN WEBB IN ACTION AGAINST RANGERS

2005/06 R1 Forfar Athletic R2 Ayr United

(A) (H)

4-1 (AET) 1-2

2006/07 R1 Stranraer R2 Alloa Athletic

(H) (A)

4-2 1-2

2007/08 R1 Elgin City R2 Dundee United

(H) (A)

3-1 1-2

2008/09 R1 Airdrie

(H)

2-3 (AET)

2009/10 R1 Montrose R2 Hamilton Accies R3 Dundee United

(H) (H) (H)

5-0 2-1 0-2

2010/11 R1 Livingston (H) 2-1 R2 St Mirren (H) 3-3 (AET) Ross County won 4-3 on penalties R3 Dundee United (H) 1-2 (AET) 2011/12 R1 Queen’s Park R2 Hamilton Accies R3 Celtic

(H) (A) (H)

2-1 2-1 0-2

2012/13 R2 Raith Rovers

(H)

1-4

2013/14 R2 Stranraer

(A)

2-3

2014/15 R2 Stranraer R3 Hibernian

(A) (H)

2-1 0-2

2015/16 R2 Ayr United R3 Falkirk QF Inverness CT SF Celtic F Hibernian

(H) (H) (A) (N) (N)

2-0 7-0 2-1 3-1

LEADING LEAGUE CUP SCORERS 6 Derek Adams 6 Michael Gardyne 5 Liam Boyce 4 Andy Barrowman 4 Don Cowie 3 Alex Bone 3 Richard Brittain 3 Alex Burke 3 Steven Craig 2 Paul Di Giacomo 2 Brian Grant 2 Sean Higgins 2 Brian Irvine 2 Neil Tarrant 2 Garry Wood

*Stats courtesy of www.staggiearchive.co.uk

MOST LEAGUE CUP APPEARANCES

ALEX BONE NETS AGAINST CLYDE IN 2002

14 Mark McCulloch 13 Richard Brittain 13 Michael Gardyne 13 Kenny Gilbert 12 Ian Maxwell 11 Don Cowie 11 Steven Ferguson 11 Sean Higgins 11 Brian Irvine 10 Derek Adams 10 Scott Boyd 10 Tony Bullock 10 Paul Lawson 10 Martin Scott 9 Hugh Robertson

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THE WRIGHT STUFF

From despair to victory, Hibs fans have fond memories of how the club turned the corner in the early 1990s to lift the Scottish League Cup after the threat of being merged with city rivals Hearts. Keith Wright remembers a pivotal moment in the club’s history...

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L E AGUE CUP MEMO RIE S

TOMMY MCINTYRE OPENS THE SCORING FROM THE PENALTY SPOT IN THE 1991 LEAGUE CUP FINAL

I

n the summer of 1990 the faithful Hibernian supporters worried they might never see their team again as they fought valiantly against Wallace Mercer’s proposal to merge Hearts and Hibs into an Edinburgh super team capable of challenging the Old Firm.

A little more than 15 months later they were celebrating only the second League Cup triumph in their history and the cathartic healing process was complete.

The Hands off Hibs protests and the venom and anger that filled the streets of the capital seemed like distant memories as one of their own, Keith Wright, sealed a 2-0 victory over Dunfermline in front of 40,377 fans at the National Stadium.

Fear and loathing was replaced by euphoria and rejoicing as the open-top bus carrying the victorious team made its way through the streets of Leith.

Wright, who made his name with Raith Rovers then Dundee before joining Hibs,

hopes he and his family will be back on these streets tonight celebrating what would be a very special success indeed for the current crop.

A lifelong supporter who lived the dream, the prolific scorer will have wife Lisa, daughter Rebecca and sons Harry, Scott and Jack with him

today, willing Alan Stubbs’ side to victory.

The 50-year-old, who spent six seasons at Hibs and was capped by Scotland in a friendly against Northern Ireland in 1992, said: “At the beginning of that season you could feel there was a determination about the squad although never in a million years did I feel we could go and win something so quick.

“There was a real desire and strength of character in that dressing room – especially after what had happened the previous summer. The fans backed us from day one and there was a feeling that we could leave behind what had happened the year before.

“We couldn’t wait for the home games because the fans were with us and it’s a similar story now because crowds are up and there is a feel-good factor.

“We had a really fit team and guys that worked so hard like Pat McGinlay, Brian Hamilton, Willie Miller, Gordon Hunter

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L E AGUE CUP MEMO RIE S

KEITH WRIGHT AND TOMMY MCINTYRE SHOW OFF THE CUP

and Gareth Evans, as well as the magic of wee Mickey Weir.

“It was a very forward-thinking team with Graham Mitchell bombing up the left and getting crosses in, and we also had the great experience of Murdo MacLeod in the midfield, so we created a lot of chances and that allowed me to get the goals.”

Wright had scored in each of the opening rounds against Stirling Albion, Kilmarnock and Ayr United Hibs then drew Rangers in the semi-finals and he starred again with the only goal, neatly heading Weir’s cross into the net with Andy Goram stranded.

He recalled: “It was our cup final to go to Hampden and beat Rangers because we knew we would face Dunfermline if we won.

“Murdo said something that I never forgot.

He told me it was always better to get one of the Old Firm in a semi-final because it’s just not

the same as cup final day when they are invariably so hard to beat.

“They still had a lot of pressure and chances that night but I feel we gave as good as we got. We matched them all over the pitch and after we got our goal it wasn’t as if we were holding on.

“I was very surprised how easy my goal was. I thought the defenders were going to come and clatter me but they decided to defend the line. spfl.co.uk THE 2016 SCOTTISH LEAGUE CUP PRESENTED BY UTILITA 53

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L E AGUE CUP MEMO RIE S

KEITH WRIGHT SCORES THE CLINCHER AGAINST DUNFERMLINE

“IT WAS A BIT OF A NERVY FIRST HALF BECAUSE I THINK TOO MANY OF THE LADS WERE WORRIED ABOUT LETTING THE TEAM DOWN. HOWEVER, WE DOMINATED THE SECOND HALF AND WEE MICKEY WAS DIFFERENT CLASS, GIVING THEIR DEFENCE A TORRID TIME” “If one of them had come to challenge me they would be going towards the ball so when I had a wee look I was very surprised to see them stay back and it left me with a simple header.”

And so Jocky Scott’s Dunfermline lay in wait and there was massive expectation among the supporters, which had an effect early on.

Hibs were a different prospect in the second half and they took the lead four minutes in when Ray Sharp grappled Weir to the turf in the box and Tommy McIntyre calmly slotted the penalty into the right corner.

Then, with four minutes remaining, Wight’s moment came when he was played in by Weir after Eddie Cunnington had lost possession and tucked a left-foot shot behind Andy Rhodes.

He said: “It was a bit of a nervy first half because I think too many of the boys were worried about letting the team down. However, we dominated the second half and wee Mickey was different class, giving their defence a torrid time.

“It is obviously one of my great memories to score a goal that wins a cup final but I then realised that I had scored in every round so that was a nice thing to have as

well. It was relief more than anything that I got the chance to go one-on-one and score.

“It was big for Alex Miller because it got the fans on his side. I think they realised he had been through a lot and he was trying to build a decent team while the club was also looking to re-model the stadium.

“It’s very similar this year to when we won in 1991 because, although the two teams are in different leagues, the stadium will be three-quarters full of Hibs fans full of expectation.

“There will be added pressure to not let the fans down – and that was the same for us because we knew most of the stadium would be green and white.

“I know Ross County are a top-league team but Hibs have done very well against Premiership sides this season so the supporters will be expecting them to go to Hampden and lift the cup. It all adds to the excitement because it’s not as if they are going there as underdogs.”

Photographic evidence of that great day in October 1991 adorns the walls of Hibs’ training centre, where nine-year-old Harry Wright is trying to follow in his dad’s footsteps.

Wright added: “Hibs don’t win trophies

all the time so when they do come along you have to enjoy them. I will be at the final with all of the family and friends – there are 21 of us travelling through.

“I’ll be with my wife Lisa, my daughter Rebecca and my sons Harry, Scott and Jack – the whole tribe is going and hopefully we can get a day like we did in in 1991.”

WINNING TEAM 1 John Burridge 2 Willie Miller 3 Graham Mitchell 4 Gordon Hunter 5 Tommy McIntyre 6 Murdo MacLeod 7 Mickey Weir 8 Brian Hamilton 9 Keith Wright 10 Gareth Evans 11 Pat McGinlay

SUBS 12 Neil Orr 14 Dave Beaumont

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10 Things AbouT Ross CounTy Formed in 1929, Ross County were Highland League champions in 1966/67, 1990/91 and 1991/92 before being admitted to the League in 1994. Here are 10 things you need to know about the Dingwall club…

ON THIS DAY Ross County have a good record on this day and are unbeaten in five games on March 13 since stepping up to the League. In 1999, goals from Ian Maxwell, Neil Tarrant and an own goal earned them a 3-2 win at Cowdenbeath while in 2004 David Winters was the matchwinner as St Mirren were beaten 1-0 in Division One. A Don Cowie double and goals from Sean Higgins and Craig Gunn saw off Hamilton Accies 4-1 in a midweek First Division match in 2013. In 2010, the Staggies drew 2-2 at Easter Road in the Scottish Cup quarter-finals before going on to win the replay 2-1. Their most recent game on this day was on Tuesday March 13, 2012 when late goals from Archie Campbell and Peter Weatherson earned Morton a 2-2 draw after Michael Gardyne and Richie Brittain had scored for County.

CUP WINNERS Ross County are appearing in their second major final this afternoon, having lost the Scottish Cup decider 3-0 to Dundee United in 2010, but they have reached the Challenge Cup Final on four occasions, lifting the trophy twice. In November 2006, Scott Leitch was in charge when the Staggies edged Clyde 5-4 on penalties after a 1-1 draw at McDiarmid Park. Substitute Jason Crooks scored the decisive kick after Andy Dowie had forced extra time by cancelling out Roddy Hunter’s first-half goal for Joe Miller’s men.

Jimmy Calderwood was manager when Ross County won the Challenge Cup for the second time in April 2011, with Queen of the South beaten 2-0 at McDiarmid Park. The final had been delayed by the severe winter which saw the match postponed in November 2010 and the Dingwall men enjoyed their day in the sunshine as Andy Barrowman and Iain Vigurs both scored in the first half.

County’s unsuccessful Challenge Cup Finals were in 2004/05, when they lost 2-1 to Falkirk, and in 2008/09, when Airdrie won 3-2 on penalties after a 2-2 draw.

DOUBLE FIGURE VICTORY In 1993/94 – the club’s final season in the Highland League – Ross County thrashed St Cuthbert Wanderers 11-0 in a Scottish Cup first-round tie at Victoria Park. Incredibly, the Staggies were 9-0 up at the break and it looked as if Stirling Albion’s 20-0 win over Selkirk in 1984 might be eclipsed but the Kirkcudbright-based side shipped just two more goals after the interval. Brian Grant led the County charge with a five-goal spree and he grabbed a hat-trick as Bobby Wilson’s side stunned Forfar 4-0 at Station Park in round two. That set up a third-round meeting with Alloa at Recreation Park and, by the time the game was played, the sides knew the prize on offer was a trip to Ibrox. That helped attract a bumper crowd of 4,197 and they saw the Wasps progress with a 2-0 win.

2006/07 CHALLENGE CUP-WINNING TEAM 1 Craig Samson 2 Gary Irvine 3 Alex Keddie 4 Andy Dowie 5 Kevin McKinlay 6 Craig Gunn 7 Michael Gardyne 8 Derek Adams 9 Amick Ciani 10 Don Cowie 11 Martin Scott

2010/11 CHALLENGE CUP-WINNING TEAM 1 Michael McGovern 2 Gary Miller 3 Marc Fitzpatrick 4 Paul Lawson 5 Scott Boyd 6 Johnny Flynn 7 Michael Gardyne 8 Stuart Kettlewell 9 Andrew Barrowman 10 Richard Brittain 11 Iain Vigurs

Subs used Hugh Robertson Stuart Anderson Jason Crooks

Subs used Scott Morrison Steven Milne Garry Wood

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ROSS COUN T Y

RECORD ATTENDANCE Ross County’s record attendance is 8,500, which was set 50 years ago when Rangers visited Victoria Park for a Scottish Cup tie in February 1966. The Ibrox club won 2-0, thanks to first-half goals from Willie Johnston and George McLean.

FORTY NOT OUT After losing 5-1 to Hamilton Accies at New Douglas Park on Saturday August 13, 2011, Ross County went on an incredible 40-match unbeaten league run.

The sequence eventually came to an end when St Johnstone won 2-1 in Dingwall on Saturday September 22, 2012. Derek Adams used only 19 different players en route to the First Division title in 2011/12 and eight of them started 30 or more games - Michael Fraser, Gary Miller, Grant Munro, Richie Brittain, Michael Gardyne, Colin McMenamin, Scott Boyd and Paul Lawson.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40

20/08/11 27/08/11 10/09/11 17/09/11 24/09/11 01/10/11 15/10/11 22/10/11 29/10/11 05/11/11 12/11/11 26/11/11 03/12/11 17/12/11 26/12/11 14/01/12 28/01/12 11/02/12 18/02/12 25/02/12 29/02/12 03/03/12 06/03/12 10/03/12 13/03/12 17/03/12 24/03/12 31/03/12 07/04/12 11/04/12 14/04/12 21/04/12 28/04/12 05/05/12 04/08/12 11/08/12 18/08/12 25/08/12 01/09/12 14/09/12

Queen of the South Falkirk Partick Thistle Livingston Raith Rovers Ayr United Dundee Hamilton Accies Morton Partick Thistle Falkirk Livingston Raith Rovers Dundee Falkirk Queen of the South Livingston Raith Rovers Ayr United Dundee Ayr United Queen of the South Partick Thistle Hamilton Accies Morton Falkirk Partick Thistle Raith Rovers Livingston Ayr United Dundee Morton Hamilton Accies Queen of the South Motherwell Aberdeen Celtic Dundee Kilmarnock Dundee United

(H) (A) (H) (H) (A) (H) (A) (H) (A) (A) (H) (A) (H) (H) (A) (A) (H) (A) (H) (A) (A) (H) (H) (A) (H) (H) (A) (H) (A) (A) (H) (A) (H) (A) (H) (A) (H) (A) (H) (A)

W D D D W W W W W W W W W D D D W D D D W W W W D W W D W W W D W W D D D W D D

2-0 1-1 2-2 1-1 1-0 4-0 2-1 1-0 2-0 1-0 3-1 3-0 4-2 1-1 1-1 0-0 3-0 1-1 1-1 1-1 3-2 2-1 3-0 2-0 2-2 2-1 1-0 1-1 3-1 3-1 3-0 1-1 5-1 5-3 0-0 0-0 1-1 1-0 0-0 0-0

JIM MCINTYRE AND ROY MACGREGOR

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ROSS COUN T Y 200 CLUB Seven players have made more than 200 appearances for Ross County in the modern era, with Scott Boyd the only one to break the 300 barrier so far. The others to reach 200 are Mark McCulloch, Richie Brittain, Michael Gardyne, Sean Higgins, Steve Ferguson and Don Cowie.

AT THE HELM Bobby Wilson was the Ross County manager when the club made the move from the Highland League and he remained in charge until the summer of 1996 when he was replaced by Neale Cooper, who in turn was boss until 2002. Alex Smith, John Robertson, Gardner Speirs, Scott Leitch, Dick Campbell, Derek Adams (twice), Willie McStay, Jimmy Calderwood and now Jim McIntyre have all managed the club.

GOOD START Ross County finished third in their first season in Division Three in 1994/95, behind champions Forfar Athletic and runners-up Montrose, who were also promoted. The Staggies won their opening game 2-0 at Cowdenbeath and later strung together a seven-game winning run, including a 3-1 victory in the New Year Highland derby in Dingwall. Their biggest win of the season was 6-0 at home to Alloa.

LEAGUE CUP LANDMARK Mark McCulloch is the man who has played most League Cup ties for the Staggies, featuring in 14 games in his Ross County career. The defender, who also played for Dunfermline Athletic, Caley Thistle, Forfar Athletic, Partick Thistle and Livingston, retired in the summer of 2014. spfl.co.uk THE 2016 SCOTTISH LEAGUE CUP PRESENTED BY UTILITA 59

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ROSS COUN T Y

FAMOUS FAN TV presenter and commentator Rob MacLean is a long-time Ross County fan, who will be hosting today’s live coverage of the big game on BBC Scotland. We caught up with him last week.

How did you become a Ross County fan?

Born and brought up in Invergordon, I didn’t have much choice in becoming a Ross County fan. I used to play for the school football team on a Saturday morning and go to Dingwall to watch County in the afternoon.

I can’t remember my first visit to Victoria Park, as it was called then, because it was so long ago!

Favourite games?

My favourite game was Ross County’s appearance in the 2010 Scottish Cup Final although that answer could change today. Their last cup final performance against Dundee United was a bit of an anti-climax but just being there for a small-town team was dreamland.

Any bad memories following the team?

I don’t have too many bad memories of supporting County. They tend to be submerged by the great moments in recent times. And there have

been plenty of those. I’ve been to lots of bad games, though, back in the Highland League days when they were going through a bad patch.

Did you forsee the team being so successful in recent years?

Not in my wildest dreams could I have envisaged County getting to the level they’re at now. It’s been a football fairytale. It’s not out of the question that they qualify for Europe next season. That’s just daft.

What’s it like working at a big game County are involved in?

Putting on my professional head is a bit of a challenge when I’m working at a County game. But that’s what I have to do. When they beat Celtic in the 2010 Scottish Cup semi-final at Hampden, I had to wipe the smile off my face and do the BBC television interview with Neil Lennon. He was seething but did himself a whole lot of good with a brutally honest assessment of the defeat.

Plans for cup final day and how do you see the game going?

I’m on telly today hosting the BBC Scotland coverage of this League Cup Final. There’s still something surreal, just as there was six years ago, about little County competing for one of Scottish football’s big prizes. It would be some story if they won this one. Even though it’s Premiership County against Championship Hibs, it’s hard to say who goes in as favourite. I’ll settle for an entertaining game and a deserving winner.

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CAPTAIN MARVEL Rob Jones looks back on Hibernian’s last League Cup Final appearance in 2007, when he skippered the Easter Road club to a memorable 5-1 win against Kilmarnock

By Lindsay Herron

W

ith the snow sweeping down from the dark skies over Hampden, Rob Jones tried to keep his eyes on the ball as David Murphy drove a corner over from the left side of Kilmarnock’s goal.

Instinctively he followed the flight and made his move, leaping above Colin Nish to crash a header into the sodden net. It sent Hibs on their way to a glorious 5-1 League Cup Final win over Jim Jefferies’ Kilmarnock and Jones, who was honoured to be captain, remembers it all as if it was yesterday.

Having spent all of his football life in England, it was understandable that the towering centre-back would not have a full appreciation of what such an occasion meant to the followers of Hibs. However, as he was cheered by thousands of euphoric supporters on a victory parade through Leith he suddenly felt the enormity of it all.

Jones, who is at Hampden today as a guest of Hibernian, said: “It’s a long time ago now but it’s vivid in the memory.

It was some day – especially as it was snowing for most of it!

“I got the winner against Hearts in the quarters when we beat them 1-0 at home then we beat St Johnstone 3-1 in the semis.

The final just tells its own story. You don’t dream of things like that. We were in complete control and ran out 5-1 winners.

“Of course it was 16 years since Hibs had won a trophy and to see 35,000 fans going mad at the end was outrageous. It then took us two and a half hours to get through the streets of Leith in an open-top bus and when we got to the stadium it was full too.

“The euphoria of everyone really hammered it home to all of us just how important it was for the supporters.

We changed people’s lives.”

Jones had been signed from Grimsby Town in the summer of 2006 after Gary Caldwell had left for Celtic and could hardly have hoped for a better

“THE EUPHORIA OF EVERYONE REALLY HAMMERED IT HOME TO ALL OF US JUST HOW IMPORTANT IT WAS FOR THE SUPPORTERS. WE CHANGED PEOPLE’S LIVES.”

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RO B JO N E S

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ROB JONES SCORES THE OPENING GOAL AGAINST KILMARNOCK IN 2007

JOHN COLLINS AND TOMMY CRAIG WITH THE TROPHY

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RO B JO N E S first year of what would be three seasons at Easter Road before he made the switch to Scunthorpe United.

He knew right away that he had joined an impressive group of players and even when Tony Mowbray left for West Bromwich Albion in the autumn, and John Collins took over, the equilibrium was not upset.

He was made captain of the club when Kevin Thomson was sold to Rangers in January 2007 and he relished that responsibility but to score the opening goal in the final was something extra special.

He said: “Overall my first season with Hibs was fantastic and you just have to look at the players we had and what they have gone on to achieve to see why – players like Scott Brown, Kevin Thomson, David Murphy, Steven Fletcher and Chris Killen.

“And we also had Guillaume Beuzelin, who probably had the best touch I have seen in my career. We had a great group that first season and thankfully I fitted in well.

“Of course, it was all new for me because I had been in England all my life but I knew about the Hibs-Hearts rivalry but until you actually live it you can’t really understand the enormity of it.

“It was Tony Mowbray who signed me and although he left for West Brom things didn’t really change that much.

It was a proud moment for me when I was made captain after Kevin was sold to Rangers and I have the accolade of captaining every club I have been at so far.

“When you’re made captain there is pressure because you are expected to be the leader of the dressing room and be respected by all. However, it could hardly have gone any better than being able to lift a trophy soon after.

“I remember my goal well. It was a corner from the left and I managed to get above Colin Nish and head the ball into the net.

When you’re a kid you dream of scoring in a cup final and it was very special although it didn’t really sink in until a few months later what you had actually achieved.”

It was in the second half that Hibs ruthlessly took Kilmarnock apart when Abdessalam Benjelloun – better known as Benji to the Hibs fans – finished beautifully, then Fletcher was equally deadly after being played in by Brown.

Gordon Greer got one back for Killie but Benji struck again, cutting in from the left,

2006/07 WINNING TEAM 41 Andy McNeil 2 Steven Whittaker (Kevin McCann 90) 3 David Murphy 5 Rob Jones 7 Scott Brown 10 Abdessalam Benjelloun 14 Guillaume Beuzelin 15 Chris Hogg (Shelton Martis 90) 17 Ivan Sproule (Merouane Zemmama 79) 20 Steven Fletcher 26 Lewis Stevenson Subs (not used) 1 Simon Brown (GK) 6 Michael Stewart

and Fletcher netted a second when Alan Combe fluffed an attempted clearance and the striker pounced. The Hibs fans lapped it all up and poor Kilmarnock were left to lick their wounds, taken apart by players who shone on the day.

Jones added: “Benji had a lot of talent and could finish. He was an enigma because he was great one week and then struggled the next but he certainly came up trumps that day. Fletch came on the scene that season and he has obviously gone on to magnificent things. He gave an indication in the final of what was to come.

“It was after it that we realised what it meant to everyone. The players were cocooned in a way in the build-up to the final so that we didn’t have too much pressure on us.”

Now 36 and recently released by Doncaster Rovers, Jones has just signed for Hartlepool and hopes to continue playing for a little longer yet before moving into the management side of the game.

He said: “I have done my B and A Licence badges so it is the Pro Licence that remains and I will hopefully get that done soon. I took the 21s for two years at Doncaster and I have been in interim charge a couple of times so I have had a little taste of what it’s all about.

“I would like to get a little bit longer on the field before I move over because inevitably I will become a coach or a manager. That’s what I want to do next.”

HIBERNIAN’S OTHER FINALS The 2006/07 final was Hibs’ most recent appearance at this stage and they have won the trophy on three occasions. They have also been beaten finalists six times in the League Cup… 1949/50 - Motherwell 3-0 Hibernian Hibs, managed by Hugh Shaw, were favourites to lift the trophy even without one of their Famous Five forward line in Eddie Turnbull due to injury. But Motherwell defended well and goals in the closing stages from Jim Forrest, Archie Kelly and Willie Watters took the cup to Fir Park.

1968/69 - Celtic 6-2 Hibernian Jock Stein’s side won the League Cup for the fourth season in a row. Bobby Lennox hit a hat-trick and Bertie Auld, Jim Craig and Willie Wallace were also on target for the holders. Jimmy O’Rourke and Eric Stevenson netted for Bob Shankly’s Hibs side.

1974/75 - Celtic 6-3 Hibernian Joe Harper scored a hat-trick for Hibs but Dixie Deans did likewise for Celtic. Jimmy Johnstone, Steve Murray and Paul Wilson also scored for Jock Stein’s side as Eddie Turnbull’s men lost out in a thrilling game.

1985/86 - Aberdeen 3-0 Hibernian Alex Ferguson only won the League Cup once during his time at Aberdeen and October 1985 was the occasion as an Eric Black double and a Billy Stark goal earned the Dons a comfortable win over John Blackley’s team.

1993/94 - Rangers 2-1 Hibernian Ally McCoist came off the bench to score with an overhead kick at Celtic Park after Ian Durrant’s opener had been cancelled out when Dave McPherson turned a Keith Wright cross into his own net.

2003/04 - Livingston 2-0 Hibernian Hibs were backed by around 38,000 fans at Hampden but Livingston, who were in administration at the time, pulled off a shock. Derek Lilley and Jamie McAllister scored for Davie Hay’s side as Bobby Williamson’s men were beaten.

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ROSS COUN T Y

A DAY IN THE SUN Ross County might have lost the 2010 Scottish Cup Final to Dundee United but it remains one of the greatest occasions in the club’s history as Andy Barrowman recalls

D

undee United triumphed 3-0 thanks to a goal just after the hour mark from David Goodwillie and a Craig Conway double in the closing stages of a game that attracted 47,122 fans to a sun-kissed Hampden Park, more than 15,000 of them backing the Staggies.

Barrowman, now playing with Albion Rovers, will be back at the National Stadium this afternoon with some of his cup final team-mates from six years ago, hoping County can go one better and lift a major trophy for the first time.

Ross County were a First Division club in 2009/10 – they would finish fifth in the

table that season – but they breezed through the early rounds of the Scottish Cup, beating Berwick Rangers 5-1 and Inverurie Locos 4-0 before demolishing Stirling Albion 9-0 in the last 16.

That set up a quarter-final meeting with Hibernian and Scott Boyd’s late winner in the replay after a 2-2 draw at Easter Road gave Victoria Park one of its greatest nights.

There was more to follow in the semi-final, much more, as Steven Craig and Martin Scott scored the goals as County stunned Neil Lennon’s Celtic 2-0 to set up that May 15 meeting with Dundee United.

Barrowman recalled: “We had already beaten Hibs and Celtic but we didn’t really turn up on the day unfortunately – we were a much better team than we showed in the final. In the end we were beaten comprehensively by Dundee United, who did really well. I think Peter Houston had watched us quite a lot – they got their tactics spot on and really stopped us from playing.

“It wasn’t a great game from memory, although I’ve never watched it back. It was 0-0 at half-time but it was a mistake from us that gave them the lead and after that their tails were up and they went on to win 3-0. They were the better side and

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deserved to win but the scoreline was a bit harsh on us given that it was so tight for such a long time.

“The club had organised something in Glasgow after the game and the mood was a bit sombre for the first two or three hours but once the drink started flowing we had a good night and we celebrated the success of getting to the final but it would have been a lot better if we had got the victory.

“It was disappointing at the time but that fades and it’s obviously one of the highlights of my career and I’m sure it’s the same for most of the other boys who played in that game. It’s great to look back on and there are memories to cherish.

“We had a really good team and a lot of them moved on to bigger clubs. There was a lot of talent, as there was in the Dundee United team, and we were really confident going into the game. We thought we could go there and win it – it wasn’t just a case of being happy to be there and that was something the manager and coaching staff instilled in us leading up to the game.

“We just did the normal. We stayed at the Westerwood Hotel in Cumbernauld the night before the game, as we had done for the semi-final. We were supposed to go to Marbella but it was the time of the volcanic ash cloud so we couldn’t fly. We had a break between the end of our league season and the final so

“WE CELEBRATED THE SUCCESS OF GETTING TO THE FINAL BUT IT WOULD HAVE BEEN A LOT BETTER IF WE HAD GOT THE VICTORY”

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ROSS COUN T Y

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ROSS COUN T Y the plan was to go away but we had to prepare in Dingwall instead!

“We left on the Friday and the bus took a detour down the main street and it was lined with thousands of Ross County fans to wish us well on our way, which was a nice moment.”

Barrowman, whose long list of previous clubs includes the likes of Kilmarnock, Morton, Queen of the South and Dunfermline, is looking forward to catching up with old friends today.

He said: “I’m going with a few of the boys who played in the 2010 final – we’ll catch up and have a few beers and go and watch the game so it should be a good occasion. It’s a tight one to call.

I played under Jim McIntyre previously and I know he will have the team fired up and I know the likes of Michael Gardyne and Scott Boyd who played in the Scottish Cup Final and who are still there. They are now a well-established Premiership side and because of that they might go into it as favourites but Hibs are a really good team as well.”

Barrowman, who began his career with Birmingham City, had two separate spells with Ross County and has fond memories of both.

He said: “The first one was in 2007/08 in the Second Division – or League 1 as it would be now and we romped that.

I managed to score 29 goals so it was a great season for both me and the club.

“We had a great bunch of players and we all socialised together and became really close. Some of the older ones

made the commute up and down the road but most of the guys from the Central Belt relocated and it was just a really enjoyable season. Dick Campbell was the manager at the start then Derek Adams stepped up to be the manager and we just kept winning.

“At the end of that season I chose to go to pastures new and join their great rivals Caley Thistle. A good few boys had made the same move before, like Don Cowie and John Rankin, and Inverness were in the Premier League so all the fans wished me well and there was no ill feeling. I was quite lucky in that respect and when I returned for my second spell things went well again.

“Ross County are probably one of the most professional clubs I have been at in my career in terms of the way it is run and the people behind the scenes. The fan base may not be the largest due to the demographics but the potential was always there and Roy (MacGregor) backs them. I think it’s great for the Premiership that Ross County and Inverness have become established top-flight teams and I don’t see that changing in the near future.”

The 31-year-old joined Albion Rovers at the start of 2015/16 and has played his part in helping Darren Young’s men confound the doubters by challenging for the top four in League 1.

He said: “This is the first time I have been part-time and it took a wee while to get used to after 14 or 15 years being full-time but we are doing very well. I think

we were relegation favourites in everyone’s eyes but we are right in contention for the play-offs going into the last quarter.

“We have a very small squad and I think the manager’s budget was cut despite winning the league but the boys were confident after going up and that has just snowballed from last season into this.

“There are some similarities with Ross County in that they are a small club who always seem to be punching above their weight and there are good people behind the scenes. I’m now working for a football agency in my day job which is quite enjoyable and it gives me that bit of security because I’m getting married in the summer.”

SCOTTISH CUP FINAL LINE-UP

1 Michael McGovern 2 Gary Miller 3 Scott Morrison 4 Martin Scott (Garry Wood 79) 5 Scott Boyd 6 Alex Keddie 7 Michael Gardyne (Paul Di Giacomo 77) 8 Andy Barrowman 9 Steven Craig (Paul Lawson 52) 10 Richie Brittain 11 Iain Vigurs

SUBS (NOT USED)

14 Stuart Kettlewell 18 Joe Malin (GK)

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DONNIE MACBEAN AND HIS DAUGHTER FIONA

50 YEARS AND COUNTING Ross County’s Honorary Secretary Donnie MacBean has been involved with the club since he was asked to sell programmes at a Scottish Cup tie against Rangers half a century ago…

How did you first get involved with Ross County?

My voluntary contribution started when I was asked to sell programmes at the Scottish Cup match v Rangers on February 28, 1966 by the then president Fred Newton. I have been involved with the club from that day until present in various roles, including the Supporters Club, Development Association, Social Club, Board of Directors and Football Secretary.

What was the first game you attended?

Prior to playing Rangers, I attended the away fixtures in the previous rounds of the Scottish Cup – at Forfar when we won 4-3 and Alloa, winning 5-3. Before that I was on the grassy banks at Victoria Park on many occasions.

What have been your favourite games over the years?

All the games that we won! It is hard

to pick over such a long time but since joining the Scottish League it has to be the semi -final victories over Celtic in 2010 and 2016.

Favourite players from the past?

I have a list longer than my arm! The game has changed over the years and it is therefore difficult to compare players from today with the past, and also a secretary has to be impartial! However, I could not let the question pass without mentioning my first ‘hero’ Jim Hosie in the 1960s.

The Ross County story has been remarkable but any low points along the way?

I suppose that having to go amateur in 1986 to avoid selling our main asset, Victoria Park, was a disappointment, but rolling up the sleeves, three directors at

that time – Ali MacKintosh, Les Lamb and myself – decided to try a lottery and fortunately it worked, using the profit to pay our players £4 per week. The following season Bobby Wilson became manager and from that point on we went from strength to strength. The five trophies available to Highland League clubs were all in our boardroom at the same time during 1991-92.

What do you think has been key to the club’s success in recent years?

Building, improving, changing as and when it became necessary, keeping in touch with the community and upholding our reputation of being a friendly club.

How fierce is the rivalry with Caley Thistle?

Having had three teams in Inverness – Caledonian, Clachnacuddin and Thistle

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IN T ERV IE W – we had three local derbies. The amalgamation of Caley and Thistle on entering the SFL, they have become our local derby opponents; both clubs have built success both on the park and off it in different directions. ICT built in a new location, allowing concentration on the football side, whereas we built within our own footprint when we could in tandem with improving the team. The build-up to a derby match is always special and the banter is friendly. A win is always good against them as it gives us the bragging rights until the next time! As with all secretaries in the game, we have a good relationship with Jim Falconer at ICT. How confident were you County would be successful when it came to the vote to join the SFL? It was a strange time for me, just stepping up to President of the Highland Football League in its Centenary season of 1993, I found myself touting for County to join the ranks of the SFL. From the outset of the election we knew the Inverness amalgamation was going to be accepted, which left the rest of us vying for the second place. Our campaign, compared with others, was regarded as low key, producing a booklet on where we were and what we would do should we be successful. This we duly fulfilled. Having just played Forfar in the Scottish Cup and winning, the following Tuesday they proposed us at the special meeting.

History shows we have done well.

Could you ever have imagined the rise of the Highland clubs would become such a story?

Starting part-time we knew as we progressed upwards we would have

an opinion you are best at times keeping it to yourself. It is a very confidential and trusted position. The best thing is that I have made countless friends, met lots of characters across the football fraternity and loved every minute of it.

Is it the case that Ross County are very much the club of the region and not just Dingwall?

Supporters travel from all over the Highlands and Islands. The ferries allow people from Orkney, Lewis, Harris etc and then the bridge allows the Skye people to come over.

to look at full-time football and everything that went along with it. We set out to do our best and we have achieved that – Third Division 1998/99; Second Division 2007/08; First Division 2011/12; Challenge Cup winners; 2006/07, 2010/11, (runners-up twice), also Scottish Cup runners-up 2010.

You must have seen it all at the club over the years – any stories you can tell us?

There are too many to choose from (some of which couldn’t go to print!), having worked with seven chairmen, 21 managers and hundreds of players during my 50 years, all of which I have thoroughly enjoyed!

What are the best and worst things about the role of club secretary?

I am not sure you can differentiate.

When you accept the role you have to become impartial, although you have

Will you be on duty at the game today?

I will be available for anything required to be done – I will not be able to relax so I like to be busy!

Any far-flung Staggies attending the final that you know of?

We have a group of our supporters from Norway, another leaving the sun of Benidorm, supporters working over in Australia, New Zealand and Germany we know of at this time, I am sure there will be others. I would like to thank all supporters regardless how far they have travelled and hope they enjoy the day.

Are you retiring this season or might you keep going for a few years…

After over 30 years as secretary, I decided, earlier this season, to pass on my secretary’s pen to my daughter, Fiona. It was a good option for both me and the club, with player contracts changing over the years from two pages to now 25-plus. Fiona has the ‘legal’ head for dealing with them. For myself, Honorary Secretary and expanding my role as Club Ambassador.

A PACKED HOUSE FOR ROSS COUNTY VS. RANGERS IN 1966

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THE LEAGUE CUP AT 70

We look back on seven decades of the Scottish League Cup – a competition that has produced plenty of drama and excitement down the years

RANGERS CELEBRATE A GOAL AGAINST CELTIC IN THE 1970 FINAL

THE EARLY DAYS

The League Cup was played for the first time in season 1946/47, although the Southern League Cup – which ran during the Second World War – was its inspiration.

The Southern League Cup saw 16 clubs compete in four sections of four, with the winners going through to the semi-finals. It was a competition dominated by Rangers – who won four of the six tournaments – but Hibernian got their hands on the trophy in 1943/44 when they beat the Ibrox side on corners after a 0-0 draw at Hampden. There were no penalty shoot-outs in those days!

The last Southern League Cup was won by Aberdeen, who beat Rangers 3-2 in 1945/46 but the roles were reversed in the first season of the League Cup proper as Bill Struth’s men won 4-0.

That was the first of 27 triumphs for Rangers, who have enjoyed most success in this competition.

The early days, though, saw East Fife make the headlines. The Bayview club, now pushing for promotion from Ladbrokes League 2 under Gary Naysmith, lifted the trophy as a Second Division side in 1947/48 with Scot Symon at the helm and they got their hands on the silverware twice more by the mid-1950s, by which time Dundee had become the first time to win it two years running.

Heart of Midlothian, led by the legendary Tommy Walker, were four-time winners in the space of nine seasons from 1954/55 but the Tynecastle club are still waiting to add to that tally, their last success coming against Kilmarnock in 1962/63.

SIX-FIGURE CROWDS

RANGERS VS. CELTIC IN 1978

It was during the 1960s that the League Cup Final attendance record was set. In 1963/64 a crowd of 105,907 saw Rangers beat Second Division Morton 5-0, with Jim Forrest scoring four of the goals, but even that massive gathering was topped two years later when 107,609 turned out to watch Celtic beat Rangers 2-1 in what was the first of five final victories in a row for Jock Stein’s side.

The last six-figure crowd came in the game that ended Celtic’s winning run when 106,263 fans saw 16-year-old Derek Johnstone score the winner for Rangers in October 1970. The lowest Hampden crowd for a League Cup Final was in December 1973 when only 27,924 turned up as a Gordon Wallace goal earned Dundee a 1-0 win over Celtic. It was a day of appalling weather during a national fuel crisis and the pitch was barely playable, with SFL Chairman Bill Lindsay noting in the programme: “This year’s competition has been dogged by interferences beyond anyone’s control because of weather and the national policy of denying normal floodlighting facilities to football.”

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70T H A N NI V ER S A RY

JIM MCLEAN WITH THE LEAGUE CUP IN 1979

CHARLIE NICHOLAS AND PAUL MASON IN 1989

HISTORY MAKERS

Dundee United enjoyed a golden era in the 1980s, reaching a European Cup semi-final and a UEFA Cup Final but the catalyst was League Cup glory against Alex Ferguson’s Aberdeen in 1979/80.

After a 0-0 draw in a poor game at Hampden, Jim McLean’s men claimed the first major trophy in their history with a 3-0 replay win at Dens Park and retained it by beating Dundee by the same score and on the same ground a year later.

Raith Rovers became only the second team from outside the top flight to win the League Cup when they stunned Celtic in a penalty shoot-out after a 2-2 draw at Ibrox in November 1994 and went on to compete in the UEFA Cup the following season, where they famously led Bayern Munich at half-time in the Olympic Stadium. Celtic were also on the wrong end of a massive upset in October 1971 when they were beaten 4-1 by Partick Thistle – the Jags scored four times in the first half on a Saturday afternoon that sent shockwaves through the Scottish game.

JIMMY BONE

RAITH ROVERS 1994

TIME OF CHANGE

Group stages had been a mainstay of the League Cup since its inception but in 1984/85 the tournament moved to a straight knock-out, with ties settled on the night.

Sponsorship of the competition had begun with Bell’s at the end of the 1970s but the new-look Skol League Cup proved popular.

Semi-finals remained over two legs for the first couple of seasons but they went to one-off games at a neutral venue in 1986/87 and the first last-four penalty shoot-out was required to separate Celtic and Motherwell after a 2-2 draw at Hampden.

Alex Ferguson won the League Cup for the first time in his last full season with Aberdeen in 1985/86, with Hibernian beaten 3-0, and the end of the decade was marked by three outstanding finals between the Dons and Rangers.

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DIETER VAN TORNHOUT SCORES FOR KILMARNOCK TO WIN THE LEAGUE CUP IN 2012

RECENT YEARS

The League Cup has been won by five different clubs in the past five seasons and that sequence will extend to six in six this afternoon, no matter who comes out on top. Rangers edged Celtic 2-1 after extra time in 2010/11 then 12 months later Belgian striker Dieter Van Tornhout came off the bench to grab a late winner as Kilmarnock shocked Celtic 1-0 to lift the trophy for the first time.

Then it was St Mirren’s turn to claim the iconic trophy, courtesy of a 3-2 win over Hearts, before Aberdeen ended a near 20-year wait for silverware by beating Caley Thistle on penalties after a nervy 120 minutes at Celtic Park. Celtic triumphed 2-0 against Dundee United last year thanks to goals from Kris Commons and James Forrest but the holders were knocked out by Ross County in this season’s semi-final.

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70T H A N NI V ER S A RY

NEXT SEASON

It was recently confirmed that next season’s Scottish League Cup Final will take place on Sunday November 27, 2016. It marks a switch back to an autumn slot for the first time since 1998/99, when Rangers beat St Johnstone 2-1 at Celtic Park.

The 2016/17 League Cup will also see a return to the group stages for the first time in more than 30 years, with the 38 SPFL clubs not involved in Europe joined by the Highland and Lowland League champions in eight sections of five. Clubs will play each other once, with the group winners and four best runners-up joining the UEFA qualifiers in the last 16.

The first group games will be played on Saturday July 16, with matches also scheduled for July 20, 23, 27 and 30. All drawn matches will go straight to penalties and the winner of the shoot-out will be awarded a bonus point. The bonus-point system is designed to create greater excitement around every match as well as providing more points variations to increase the number of meaningful games throughout the group stages.

BT Sport will become the exclusive live TV broadcaster of the League Cup from summer 2016 and will screen six games from the group stage in July and a further seven games from the knock-out rounds for each of seasons 2016/17, 2017/18, 2018/19 and 2019/20.

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keeping it in the community

The SPFL Trust and SPFL clubs work within communities across the country, providing a valuable service to help improve people’s lives.

Here are just some of the initiatives currently in operation, including work carried out by Hibernian and Ross County

BIG HEARTS COMMUNITY TRUST GENERAL MANAGER CARYN KERR, COUNCILLOR CATHY FULLERTON, HEARTS LEGEND JOHN ROBERTSON, SPFL TRUST TRUSTEE RODDY FORSYTH, SPFL TRUST PROJECT COORDINATOR JAMIE REID AT THE BIG HEARTS LAUNCH EVENT FOR MUSIC BOX CARES & KINSHIP CARE

THE SCOTTISH PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE TRUST – SUPPORTING COMMUNITIES

T

he Scottish Professional Football League Trust is an independent charity which works in partnership with all 42 football clubs across Scotland. The main focus of the organisation is to use the power of football to develop non-football related activity for the benefit of our communities. The SPFL Trust’s main pillars of activity are: Health, Achievement, Citizenship and Participation.

Current initiatives include: Football Fans in Training A 12-week FREE healthy lifestyle programme for overweight men aged 35 to 65. This season, we have expanded delivery from 27 clubs to 33, with a similar project for women now underway at 17 SPFL Clubs.

Last year the men lost a combined weight of 3.5 tons. That is the same weight as a zebra sitting on a giraffe! Those taking part in today’s ‘Half-time Challenge’ have completed our FFIT programme.

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SPFL T RUS T Music Box Cares A programme, funded by Comic Relief, Music Box Cares is aimed at 12 to 18-year-olds who are either looked after and/or accommodated and is based on the natural links between music and football. Participants engage in learning activities that develop music centred skills in a sporting environment. Activities, based at 11 club stadiums, include instrument tuition, forming a band, performance and song writing and the opportunity to participate in physical activity too!

Scottish Water: H2-O Programme Together with Scottish Water, the SPFL Trust is now into the second year of the H2-O programme, an innovative primary schools project that focuses on water and physical activity. This season we are working in partnership with Kilmarnock, Queen’s Park and Morton, who will deliver the programme to a total of 3,000 young people and it is absolutely free!

Move and Learn The SPFL Trust has partnered with Ferrero UK to launch the +Sport Move and Learn Project, a national school-based educational programme for children aged between 9 & 10 as part of the global Kinder+ Sport initiative.

The SPFL Trust will be partnering with Celtic and Rangers to deliver the programme across 60 schools, reaching 3,600 children with 32,400 hours of activity and education. This is part of the project’s national target to move over 21,000 children and deliver over 190,000 hours of activity and education across the UK and Ireland.

SPFL Trust Offers FREE Two-day Mental Health Training Course to staff at SPFL Clubs The SPFL Trust is pleased to be able to offer a bespoke NHS recognised two-day Mental Health First Aid Training programme delivered by trained professionals with years of experience in both the football and health care world. The aim of the training is to provide attendees with the skills they need to help them recognise the signs of mental health problems, know how to provide initial help and how to guide a person to appropriate help. The training is open to ALL involved within the football club and may include Directors, Players and Community coaches.

HIBERNIAN IN THE COMMUNITY The birth of Hibernian Community Foundation in 2008 saw one of Scotland’s great sporting and social institutions remain true to its roots and ethos. In launching the Foundation, Hibernian Football Club reaffirmed the principles established when the Club was founded in 1875 through the determination of a community of people to improve the quality of life for their fellows.

The Foundation wants to make a positive difference to the lives of people in Scotland, with a particular focus on Leith and the Lothians. We want to see our communities healthier, wealthier and wiser. Sport inspires, and no sport in Scotland inspires more than football.

Strong partnerships form a cornerstone of our work, for example we work with Edinburgh College to deliver learning opportunities through our learning centre in Easter Road Stadium and at the Hibernian Training Centre in East Lothian; we have a partnership with Lothian Special Olympics to offer coaching and access to competition for players with a learning disability; and each week youngsters from 2-14 years of age take part in our community football activities.

And we don’t forget our fans – with funding from the SPFL Trust, we offer fitness programmes and walking football, helping fans to get fitter, lose weight and enjoy life more!

For more information visit www.hiberniancommunityfoundation.org.uk

THE ROSS COUNTY FOUNDATION The Ross County Foundation was launched in 2015 with the aim of pooling our community activities under one banner. The objectives of the Foundation are to increase participation, to make sure we are an inclusive organisation and to cater for the various groups within our local community. The Foundation has helped us increase our current reach considerably, allowing us to work with more people in our community.

The activities provided by the Foundation fall under the following identifiable pillars: Positive Activity; Health & Wellbeing; Equality & Inclusion; Good Citizenship; and Learning.

The Scottish Walking Football Network The Scottish Walking Football Network brings together five national organisations to support and enable the development of Walking Football across Scotland whilst measuring its impact. They are Paths for All, Age Scotland, Scottish Association for Mental Health, Scottish Football Association and the Scottish Professional Football League Trust.

The initial aims of the network are to promote and encourage participation in the sport for both men and women as well as provide national and local networking opportunities for those engaged in the development or delivery of Walking Football.

An example of some of our courses are:

Pay Us a Visit W: spfltrust.org.uk F: facebook.com/spfltrust T: @spfltrust

• Climate Challenge Project Run in partnership with SFP Community Initiative, this project targets P4 to P6 children throughout 14 Highland primary schools. The programme offers coaching with an education module focusing on climate change and the impact it has on the environment.

The Community team is able to target over 5,000 participants with this initiative with each participating school invited to experience a Ross County SPFL home game.

FUNDERS

• Football Fans in Training (FFIT) is a programme for men aged 35 – 65 who have a waist measuring 38 inches or more and who want to lose weight and live a healthier lifestyle. The FFIT participants get the chance to learn about diet and nutrition, healthy lifestyle choices and the benefit of taking part in gentle but regular physical activity.

Football Fans in Training is a 12-week course which runs one evening per week.

The programme is funded by the Scottish Government with the programme provided to participating football clubs by the SPFL Trust.

• Football Memories We are delighted to work with Alzheimer Scotland in providing reminiscence therapy for people with dementia. Held regularly in the Community Pod at the Club, Football Memories provides a forum for people with dementia to re-live memories which are important to them. During the group meetings people talk about teams and matches from the past and work with images and memorabilia to stimulate memories.

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10 FINALS TO REMEMBER As Hibernian and Ross County prepare to contest the 70th League Cup Final, we look back at some classic clashes from the past…

EAST FIFE 3-2 PARTICK THISTLE — 1953/54 East Fife became the first team to win the League Cup for the third time as goals from Frank Christie, Charlie Fleming and Ian Gardiner saw the trophy return to Bayview following the successes against Falkirk in 1947/48 and Dunfermline in 1949/50. Johnny McKenzie and Jimmy Walker scored for the Jags.

CELTIC 7-1 RANGERS — 1957/58 Watched by 82,293 fans, the first Old Firm League Cup decider produced what remains the biggest final win in the tournament’s history. In a season when both clubs finished behind champions Hearts in the title race, Celtic ran up seven goals in an incredible game. Billy McPhail hit a hat-trick for Jimmy McGrory’s team and Neil Mochan weighed in with a double. Sammy Wilson and Willie Fernie (penalty) were also on target, with a Billy Simpson goal not much of a consolation for Scot Symon’s team.

1971/72

PARTICK THISTLE 4-1 CELTIC —1971/72 A Scottish football sensation. In a season when Celtic ran away with the title, thrashed Hibernian 6-1 in the Scottish Cup Final and lost only on penalties to Inter Milan in the semi-final of the European Cup, Jock Stein’s men were humbled by the Jags in front of 62,740 stunned spectators at Hampden. Almost unbelievably, Thistle stormed into a 4-0 lead by half-time thanks to goals from Alex Rae, Bobby Lawrie, Denis McQuade and Jimmy Bone. Kenny Dalglish pulled one back but nothing could stop Davie McParland’s Jags from celebrating the greatest triumph in their history.

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CELEBRATE HIS GOAL

CL A SSIC CUP F IN A L S 1974/75

CELTIC 6-3 HIBERNIAN — 1974/75 Hibernian were in this game at half-time but Celtic, inspired by Jimmy Johnstone, ultimately had too much in what remains the highest-scoring Scottish League Cup final of all time. A crowd of 53,848 at Hampden saw Dixie Deans and Joe Harper trade hat-tricks, with Johnstone, Paul Wilson and Steve Murray also on target for Jock Stein’s men as Eddie Turnbull’s side lost out, two years after beating the same opponents in the final.

1979/80

1987/88

DUNDEE UNITED 3-0 ABERDEEN — 1979/80 A historic occasion as Jim McLean guided Dundee United to their first major trophy, doing so at the home of their neighbours. There were almost 29,000 fans packed into Dens Park for the midweek replay — more than had watched the 0-0 draw at Hampden – and they saw United dominate against Alex Ferguson’s team. Willie Pettigrew scored twice and Paul Sturrock was also on target for United, who beat Dundee a year later to retain the trophy.

RANGERS 3-3 ABERDEEN — 1987/88 An epic. Rangers came from behind to win the League Cup on penalties as a crowd of 71,961 witnessed one of the best games ever seen at Hampden. Aberdeen were ahead through Jim Bett’s penalty but Graeme Souness’s side hit back through Davie Cooper’s thunderous free-kick and an Ian Durrant goal.

Ian Porterfield’s men responded with a stirring fightback and led after goals from Willie Falconer and John Hewitt, only for Robert Fleck to equalise with time running out. Surprisingly, an amazing match failed to produce an extra-time goal and Rangers won it when Ian Durrant converted his penalty after Peter Nicholas had sent his effort on to the top of the bar.

RANGERS 3-2 ABERDEEN — 1988/89 Rangers and Aberdeen had a lot to live up to but they produced another enthralling final in front of 72,122 fans. Ally McCoist gave Rangers the lead from the penalty spot but Davie Dodds equalised, only for Ian Ferguson to restore the Light Blues’ advantage early in the second half. Dodds looped a superb header over Chris Woods from a Jim Bett cross but McCoist pounced with a couple of minutes left and a goalline clearance denied Aberdeen extra time. The teams met again a year later and this time it was Aberdeen who got their hands on the silverware with a 2-1 win.

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10 F IN A L S TO REMEMBER 1994/95

RAITH ROVERS 2-2 CELTIC — 1994/95 Jimmy Nicholl’s men earned a famous triumph, beating hot favourites Celtic 6-5 on penalties after a thrilling game watched by 45,384 fans at Ibrox. Rovers were a First Division side at the time but when Scott Thomson saved from Paul McStay in the shoot-out the trophy was heading to Kirkcaldy. Stevie Crawford gave Raith the lead but Andy Walker equalised before half-time and when Charlie Nicholas struck, Tommy Burns’ men were set for victory. But Gordon Dalziel popped up to make it 2-2 and, with no goals in extra time, the Stark’s Park men prevailed on penalties to bring European football to Stark’s Park.

RANGERS 4-3 HEART OF MIDLOTHIAN — 1996/97 It was a grim November afternoon at Celtic Park but Rangers and Hearts dished up a thriller, six months after Walter Smith’s side had beaten the same opponents 5-1 in the Scottish Cup. This was a much closer contest as Steve Fulton and John Robertson hauled Jim Jefferies’ men level after an Ally McCoist double. Two goals from the outstanding Paul Gascoigne made the difference but Hearts never gave up and Davie Weir pulled one back late on.

2012/13

ST MIRREN 3-2 HEART OF MIDLOTHIAN — 2012/13 St Mirren had lost the 2009/10 final 1-0 to nine-man Rangers but finally got their hands on the trophy. Danny Lennon’s men had stunned Celtic 3-2 in the semi-finals and beat Hearts by the same margin in a captivating contest watched by 44,036 fans. Ryan Stevenson gave Hearts – looking to lift the trophy after an absence of half a century – an early lead but Esmael Goncalves, Steven Thompson and Conor Newton all scored for St Mirren by the midway point of the second half. Stevenson got one back with five minutes left but Saints clung on.

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PROGRAMMES F A selection of programme covers from previous League Cup finals over the past 70 years

Rangers 4-0 Aberdeen 1946-47

Hearts 1-0 Kilmarnock 1962-63 St Mirren 1-2 Aberdeen 1955-56

Celtic 6-2 Hibernian 1968-69

Celtic 0-1 Rangers 1970-71

Celtic 1-4 Partick Thistle 1971-72

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FROM THE PAST

Aberdeen 0-0 Dundee United 1979-80 Dundee 1-0 Celtic 1973-74

Celtic 6-3 Hibernian 1974-75

Dundee 0-3 Dundee United 1980-81

Hibernian 1-2 Rangers 1993-94

Aberdeen 3-0 Hibernian 1985-86

Raith Rovers 2-2 Celtic 1994-95

Hibernian 0-2 Livingston 2003-04

Rangers 1-2 Aberdeen 1989-90

Inverness CT 0-0 Aberdeen 2013-14

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WINNING LINE-UPS

A look at the starting XIs of the League Cup winners over the past 35 years Rangers 1970/71 Peter McCloy Sandy Jardine Alex Miller Alfie Conn Ronnie McKinnon Colin Jackson Willie Henderson Alex MacDonald Derek Johnstone Colin Stein Willie Johnston

Partick Thistle 1971/72 Alan Rough John Hansen Alex Forsyth Ronnie Glavin Jackie Campbell Hugh Strachan Denis McQuade Frank Coulston Jimmy Bone Alex Rae Bobby Lawrie

Hibernian 1972/73 Jim Herriot John Brownlie Erich Schaedler Pat Stanton Jim Black John Blackley Alex Edwards Jimmy O’Rourke Alan Gordon Alex Cropley Arthur Duncan

Dundee 1973/74 Thomson Allan Bobby Wilson Tommy Gemmell Bobby Ford George Stewart Iain Phillip John Duncan Bobby Robinson Gordon Wallace Jocky Scott Duncan Lambie

Celtic 1974/75 Ally Hunter Danny McGrain Jim Brogan Steve Murray Billy McNeill Pat McCluskey Jimmy Johnstone Kenny Dalglish Dixie Deans Harry Hood Paul Wilson

Rangers 1975/76 Stewart Kennedy Sandy Jardine John Greig Tom Forsyth Colin Jackson Alex MacDonald Tommy McLean Colin Stein Derek Parlane Derek Johnstone Quinton Young

Aberdeen 1976/77 Bobby Clark Stuart Kennedy Billy Williamson Joe Smith Willie Garner Willie Miller Dom Sullivan Jocky Scott Joe Harper Drew Jarvie Arthur Graham

Rangers 1977/78 Stewart Kennedy Sandy Jardine John Greig Tom Forsyth Colin Jackson Alex MacDonald Tommy McLean Johnny Hamilton Derek Johnstone Gordon Smith Davie Cooper

Rangers 1978/79 Peter McCloy Sandy Jardine Ally Dawson Derek Johnstone Colin Jackson Alex MacDonald Tommy McLean Bobby Russell Billy Urquhart Gordon Smith Davie Cooper

Dundee United 1979/80 Hamish McAlpine Derek Stark Frank Kopel George Fleming Paul Hegarty David Narey Eamonn Bannon Paul Sturrock Willie Pettigrew John Holt Billy Kirkwood

Dundee United 1980/81 Hamish McAlpine John Holt Frank Kopel Iain Phillip Paul Hegarty David Narey Eamonn Bannon Graeme Payne Willie Pettigrew Paul Sturrock Davie Dodds

Rangers 1981/82 Jim Stewart Sandy Jardine Alex Miller Gregor Stevens Colin Jackson Jim Bett Davie Cooper Derek Johnstone Bobby Russell John MacDonald Gordon Dalziel

Celtic 1982/83 Pat Bonner Danny McGrain Graeme Sinclair Roy Aitken Tom McAdam Murdo MacLeod Davie Provan Paul McStay Frank McGarvey Tommy Burns Charlie Nicholas

Rangers 1983/84 Peter McCloy Jimmy Nicholl Ally Dawson John McClelland Craig Paterson Dave McPherson Bobby Russell Ally McCoist Sandy Clark John MacDonald Davie Cooper

Rangers 1984/85 Peter McCloy Ally Dawson John McClelland Cammy Fraser Craig Paterson Dave McPherson Bobby Russell Ally McCoist Iain Ferguson Ian Redford Davie Cooper

Aberdeen 1985/86 Jim Leighton Stewart McKimmie Brian Mitchell Billy Stark Alex McLeish Willie Miller Eric Black Neil Simpson Frank McDougall Neale Cooper John Hewitt

Rangers 1986/87 Chris Woods Jimmy Nicholl Stuart Munro Cammy Fraser Ally Dawson Terry Butcher Derek Ferguson Ted McMinn Ally McCoist Ian Durrant Davie Cooper

Rangers 1987/88 Nicky Walker Jimmy Nicholl Stuart Munro Graham Roberts Derek Ferguson Richard Gough John McGregor Robert Fleck Ally McCoist Ian Durrant Davie Cooper

Rangers 1988/89 Chris Woods Gary Stevens John Brown Richard Gough Ray Wilkins Terry Butcher Kevin Drinkell Ian Ferguson Ally McCoist Neale Cooper Mark Walters

Aberdeen 1989/90 Theo Snelders Stewart McKimmie David Robertson Brian Grant Alex McLeish Willie Miller Charlie Nicholas Jim Bett Paul Mason Robert Connor Eoin Jess

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pre v ious w in n er s Rangers 1990/91 Chris Woods Gary Stevens Stuart Munro Richard Gough Nigel Spackman John Brown Trevor Steven Terry Hurlock Ally McCoist Mark Hateley Mark Walters

Hibernian 1991/92 John Burridge Willie Miller Graham Mitchell Gordon Hunter Tommy McIntyre Murdo MacLeod Mickey Weir Brian Hamilton Keith Wright Gareth Evans Pat McGinlay

Rangers 1992/93 Andy Goram Stuart McCall David Robertson Richard Gough Dave McPherson John Brown Trevor Steven Ian Ferguson Ally McCoist Mark Hateley Ian Durrant

Rangers 1993/94 Ally Maxwell Gary Stevens David Robertson Richard Gough Dave McPherson Stuart McCall Trevor Steven Ian Ferguson Ian Durrant Mark Hateley Pieter Huistra

Raith Rovers 1994/95 Scott Thomson Stephen McAnespie Julian Broddle David Narey Shaun Dennis David Sinclair Stephen Crawford Gordon Dalziel Ally Graham Colin Cameron Jason Dair

Aberdeen 1995/96 Michael Watt Stewart McKimmie Stephen Glass Brian Grant John Inglis Gary Smith Joe Miller Duncan Shearer Paul Bernard Billy Dodds Eoin Jess

Rangers 1996/97 Andy Goram Alex Cleland Craig Moore Richard Gough Gordan Petric Joachim Bjorklund Charlie Miller Paul Gascoigne Jorg Albertz Ally McCoist Brian Laudrup

Celtic 1997/98 Jonathan Gould Tom Boyd Stephane Mahe Jackie McNamara Marc Rieper Alan Stubbs Henrik Larsson Andreas Thom Craig Burley Morten Wieghorst Regi Blinker

Rangers 1998/99 Antti Niemi Sergio Porrini Arthur Numan Lorenzo Amoruso Colin Hendry Jorg Albertz Barry Ferguson Giovanni van Bronckhorst Andrei Kanchelskis Rod Wallace Stephane Guivarc’h

Celtic 1999/00 Jonathan Gould Tom Boyd Vidar Riseth Johan Mjallby Stephane Mahe Jackie McNamara Morten Wieghorst Stilian Petrov Lubo Moravcik Tommy Johnson Mark Viduka

Celtic 2000/01 Jonathan Gould Johan Mjallby Joos Valgaeren Ramon Vega Colin Healy Neil Lennon Paul Lambert Lubo Moravcik Chris Sutton Henrik Larsson Bobby Petta

Rangers 2001/02 Stefan Klos Fernando Ricksen Tony Vidmar Lorenzo Amoruso Arthur Numan Bert Konterman Barry Ferguson Russell Latapy Claudio Caniggia Tore Andre Flo Peter Lovenkrands

Rangers 2002/03 Stefan Klos Fernando Ricksen Craig Moore Lorenzo Amoruso Jerome Bonnissel Mikel Arteta Barry Ferguson Claudio Caniggia Ronald de Boer Michael Mols Peter Lovenkrands

Livingston 2003/04 Roddy McKenzie David McNamee Jamie McAllister Oscar Rubio Marvin Andrews Emmanuel Dorado Lee Makel Burton O’Brien Stuart Lovell David Fernandez Derek Lilley

Rangers 2004/05 Ronald Waterreus Maurice Ross Bob Malcolm Sotirios Kyrgiakos Michael Ball Fernando Ricksen Barry Ferguson Gregory Vignal Thomas Buffel Nacho Novo Dado Prso

Celtic 2005/06 Artur Boruc Paul Telfer Ross Wallace Bobo Balde Stephen McManus Stilian Petrov Neil Lennon Roy Keane Shunsuke Nakamura Maciej Zurawski Shaun Maloney

Hibernian 2006/07 Andy McNeil Chris Hogg Rob Jones David Murphy Steven Whittaker Lewis Stevenson Guillaume Beuzelin Scott Brown Steven Fletcher Abdessalam Benjelloun Ivan Sproule

Rangers 2007/08 Allan McGregor Kirk Broadfoot Sasa Papac Carlos Cuellar Davie Weir Barry Ferguson Brahim Hemdani Christian Dailly Lee McCulloch Steven Davis Chris Burke

Celtic 2008/09 Artur Boruc Andreas Hinkel Darren O’Dea Glenn Loovens Gary Caldwell Stephen McManus Shunsuke Nakamura Scott Brown Scott McDonald Paul Hartley Aiden McGeady

Rangers 2009/10 Neil Alexander Steven Whittaker Sasa Papac Lee McCulloch Davie Weir Danny Wilson Steven Davis Kevin Thomson Kris Boyd Kenny Miller Nacho Novo

Rangers 2010/11 Neil Alexander Steven Whittaker Sasa Papac Davie Weir Madjid Bougherra Maurice Edu Gregg Wylde Steven Davis Nikica Jelavic Kyle Lafferty Steven Naismith

Kilmarnock 2011/12 Cammy Bell James Fowler Ben Gordon Danny Buijs Mahamadou Sissoko Michael Nelson Garry Hay Liam Kelly Dean Shiels Paul Heffernan Gary Harkins

St Mirren 2012/13 Craig Samson David van Zanten Marc McAusland Jim Goodwin Paul Dummett Conor Newton John McGinn Gary Teale Paul McGowan Esmael Goncalves Steven Thompson

Aberdeen 2013/14 Jamie Langfield Shay Logan Russell Anderson Mark Reynolds Andrew Considine Barry Robson Willo Flood Ryan Jack Jonny Hayes Niall McGinn Adam Rooney

Celtic 2014/15 Craig Gordon Efe Ambrose Jason Denayer Virgil van Dijk Emilio Izaguirre Scott Brown Nir Bitton Kris Commons Stefan Johansen Anthony Stokes Leigh Griffiths

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picture perfect

A selection of classic Scottish League Cup pictures from the past

Aberdeen take on St Mirren in the 1955/56 League Cup Final against the backdrop of the old North Stand at Hampden (Courtesy of Aberdeen FC)

The iconic Hampden press box atop the South Stand at the 1995/96 League Cup Final between Aberdeen and Dundee in the last season before the stand was rebuilt.

Willie Finlay and Frank Christie leave the pitch after Christie’s late winner had earned East Fife a 3-2 win over Partick Thistle in the 1953/54 League Cup Final (Courtesy of East Fife FC) 88 THE 2016 SCOTTISH LEAGUE CUP PRESENTED BY UTILITA spfl.co.uk

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IM AGE G A L L ERY

Dundee United skipper Paul Hegarty parades the trophy after Jim McLean’s men had defeated Dundee 3-0 at Dens Park to retain the League Cup in December 1980.

Terry Butcher and Roy Aitken shake hands before the 1986/87 League Cup Final

Partick Thistle show off the 1971/72 League Cup THE 2016 SCOTTISH LEAGUE CUP PRESENTED BY UTILITA spfl.co.uk 89

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SCOTTISH LEAGUE CUP final FACTS AND FIGURES WINNERS 27 Rangers 15 Celtic 6 Aberdeen 4 Heart of Midlothian 3 Dundee 3 East Fife 3 Hibernian 2 Dundee United 1 Kilmarnock 1 Livingston 1 Motherwell 1 Partick Thistle 1 Raith Rovers 1 St Mirren RUNNERS-UP 15 Celtic 7 Aberdeen 7 Rangers 6 Hibernian 5 Dundee United 5 Kilmarnock 3 Dundee 3 Dunfermline Athletic 3 Heart of Midlothian 3 Partick Thistle 2 Motherwell 2 St Johnstone 2 St Mirren 1 Ayr United 1 Falkirk 1 Inverness Caley Thistle 1 Morton 1 Raith Rovers 1 Third Lanark

LEAGUE CUP TRIVIA

• The most common scoreline in the Scottish League Cup Final is 2-1, with 18 games ending that way since the tournament began.

• Jim Forrest is the only player to have scored four goals in a League Cup Final – he did so when Scot Symon’s Rangers beat Hal Stewart’s Morton 5-0 in 1963/64 in front of almost 106,000 fans.

• Only twice in the last 25 years has the team who scored first in a League Cup Final failed to lift the trophy. In 2007/08 Rangers beat Dundee United – who took the lead through Noel Hunt – on penalties after a 2-2 draw. In 2012/13 St Mirren hit back to defeat Heart of Midlothian 3-2 after Ryan Stevenson had opened the scoring for the Tynecastle club.

• The 1993/94 League Cup tournament saw two clubs suffer their record defeats. On August 11, 1993 Albion Rovers were thrashed 11-1 by Partick Thistle in a second-round tie played at Fir Park.

Ian Cameron scored four of the goals in a match the Jags led only 2-0 at half-time. A fortnight later, Celtic inflicted a 9-1 hammering on Arbroath at Gayfield in round three – Andy Paton and Frank McAvennie both scored hat-tricks.

• St Mirren’s Archie Gemmill became the first substitute in Scottish football when he replaced Jim Clunie in a League Cup tie against Clyde on August 13, 1966.

• Aberdeen’s Belgian goalkeeper Marc De Clerck scored on his debut for the Dons in a League Cup tie against Berwick Rangers at Shielfield in August 1980.

• When Celtic beat Hamilton Accies 10-0 in the League Cup quarter-final first leg in September 1968, both Stevie Chalmers and Bobby Lennox scored five goals.

• Dunfermline have appeared in the most League Cup Finals without winning the trophy – they were runners-up in 1949/50, 1991/92 and 2005/06.

FINALISTS FROM OUTSIDE THE TOP FLIGHT East Fife 1947/48 Raith Rovers 1948/49 Dunfermline Athletic 1949/50 Kilmarnock 1952/53 Morton 1963/64 Dundee 1980/81 Raith Rovers 1994/95 Dundee 1995/96 Ayr United 2001/02 Hibernian 2015/16

FINAL HAT-TRICKS Davie Duncan Willie Bauld Billy McPhail Jim Forrest Bobby Lennox Dixie Deans Joe Harper Ally McCoist Henrik Larsson

East Fife Heart of Midlothian Celtic Rangers Celtic Celtic Hibernian Rangers Celtic

BIGGEST FINAL WINS 7-1 Celtic v Rangers 5-0 Rangers v Morton 6-2 Celtic v Hibernian 5-1 Heart of Midlothian v Partick Thistle 5-1 Rangers v Motherwell 5-1 Hibernian v Kilmarnock

1947/48 1954/55 1957/58 1963/64 1968/69 1974/75 1974/75 1983/84 2000/01

1957/58 1963/64 1968/69 1958/59 2004/05 2006/07

LEAGUE CUP LEADING SCORERS 2015/16 4 Liam Boyce (Ross County) 4 Jason Cummings (Hibernian) 4 Faissal El Bakhtaoui (Dunfermline Athletic) 3 James Tavernier (Rangers)

PENALTY DECIDERS 1987/88 Rangers beat Aberdeen 5-3 on penalties after a 3-3 draw 1994/95 Raith Rovers beat Celtic 6-5 on penalties after a 2-2 draw 2007/08 Rangers beat Dundee United 3-2 on penalties after a 2-2 draw 2013/14 Aberdeen beat Inverness CT 4-2 on penalties after a 0-0 draw

GOALLESS FINALS 1947/48 East Fife v Falkirk 1956/57 Celtic v Partick Thistle 1979/80 Dundee United v Aberdeen 2013/14 Aberdeen v Inverness Caledonian Thistle

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L E AGUE CUP IN N UMBER S WINNING MANAGERS 1946/47 Bill Struth 1947/48 Scot Symon 1948/49 Bill Struth 1949/50 Scot Symon 1950/51 George Stevenson 1951/52 George Anderson 1952/53 George Anderson 1953/54 Jerry Dawson 1954/55 Tommy Walker 1955/56 Davie Shaw 1956/57 Jimmy McGrory 1957/58 Jimmy McGrory 1958/59 Tommy Walker 1959/60 Tommy Walker 1960/61 Scot Symon 1961/62 Scot Symon 1962/63 Tommy Walker 1963/64 Scot Symon 1964/65 Scot Symon 1965/66 Jock Stein 1966/67 Jock Stein 1967/68 Jock Stein 1968/69 Jock Stein 1969/70 Jock Stein 1970/71 Willie Waddell 1971/72 Davie McParland 1972/73 Eddie Turnbull 1973/74 Davie White 1974/75 Jock Stein 1975/76 Jock Wallace 1976/77 Ally MacLeod 1977/78 Jock Wallace 1978/79 John Greig 1979/80 Jim McLean 1980/81 Jim McLean 1981/82 John Greig 1982/83 Billy McNeill 1983/84 Jock Wallace 1984/85 Jock Wallace 1985/86 Alex Ferguson 1986/87 Graeme Souness 1987/88 Graeme Souness 1988/89 Graeme Souness 1989/90 Alex Smith & Jocky Scott 1990/91 Graeme Souness 1991/92 Alex Miller 1992/93 Walter Smith 1993/94 Walter Smith 1994/95 Jimmy Nicholl 1995/96 Roy Aitken 1996/97 Walter Smith 1997/98 Wim Jansen 1998/99 Dick Advocaat 1999/00 Kenny Dalglish 2000/01 Martin O’Neill 2001/02 Alex McLeish 2002/03 Alex McLeish 2003/04 Davie Hay 2004/05 Alex McLeish 2005/06 Gordon Strachan 2006/07 John Collins 2007/08 Walter Smith 2008/09 Gordon Strachan 2009/10 Walter Smith 2010/11 Walter Smith 2011/12 Kenny Shiels 2012/13 Danny Lennon 2013/14 Derek McInnes 2014/15 Ronny Deila

Rangers East Fife Rangers East Fife Motherwell Dundee Dundee East Fife Heart of Midlothian Aberdeen Celtic Celtic Heart of Midlothian Heart of Midlothian Rangers Rangers Heart of Midlothian Rangers Rangers Celtic Celtic Celtic Celtic Celtic Rangers Partick Thistle Hibernian Dundee Celtic Rangers Aberdeen Rangers Rangers Dundee United Dundee United Rangers Celtic Rangers Rangers Aberdeen Rangers Rangers Rangers Aberdeen Rangers Hibernian Rangers Rangers Raith Rovers Aberdeen Rangers Celtic Rangers Celtic Celtic Rangers Rangers Livingston Rangers Celtic Hibernian Rangers Celtic Rangers Rangers Kilmarnock St Mirren Aberdeen Celtic

TOMMY WALKER

JOCK STEIN

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PRE V IOUS L E AGUE CUP F IN A L S 1946/47 1947/48 Replay 1948/49 1949/50 1950/51 1951/52 1952/53 1953/54 1954/55 1955/56 1956/57 Replay 1957/58 1958/59 1959/60 1960/61 1961/62 Replay 1962/63 1963/64 1964/65 1965/66 1966/67 1967/68 1968/69 1969/70 1970/71 1971/72 1972/73 1973/74 1974/75 1975/76 1976/77 1977/78 1978/79 1979/80 Replay 1980/81 1981/82 1982/83 1983/84 1984/85 1985/86 1986/87 1987/88 1988/89 1989/90 1990/91 1991/92 1992/93 1993/94 1994/95 1995/96 1996/97 1997/98 1998/99 1999/00 2000/01 2001/02 2002/03 2003/04 2004/05 2005/06 2006/07 2007/08 2008/09 2009/10 2010/11 2011/12 2012/13 2013/14 2014/15

April 5 October 25 November 1 March 12 October 29 October 28 October 27 October 25 October 24 October 23 October 22 October 27 October 31 October 19 October 25 October 24 October 29 October 28 December 18 October 27 October 26 October 24 October 23 October 29 October 28 April 5 October 25 October 24 October 23 December 9 December 15 October 26 October 25 November 6 March 18 March 31 December 8 December 12 December 6 November 28 December 4 March 25 October 28 October 27 October 26 October 25 October 23 October 22 October 28 October 27 October 25 October 24 November 27 November 26 November 24 November 30 November 29 March 19 March 18 March 17 March 16 March 14 March 20 March 19 March 18 March 16 March 15 March 21 March 20 March 18 March 17 March 16 March 15

Rangers East Fife East Fife Rangers East Fife Motherwell Dundee Dundee East Fife Heart of Midlothian Aberdeen Celtic Celtic Celtic Heart of Midlothian Heart of Midlothian Rangers Rangers Rangers Heart of Midlothian Rangers Rangers Celtic Celtic Celtic Celtic Celtic Rangers Partick Thistle Hibernian Dundee Celtic Rangers Aberdeen Rangers Rangers Dundee United Dundee United Dundee United Rangers Celtic Rangers Rangers Aberdeen Rangers Rangers Rangers Aberdeen Rangers Hibernian Rangers Rangers Raith Rovers Aberdeen Rangers Celtic Rangers Celtic Celtic Rangers Rangers Livingston Rangers Celtic Hibernian Rangers Celtic Rangers Rangers Kilmarnock St Mirren Aberdeen Celtic

4-0 0-0 4-1 2-0 3-0 3-0 3-2 2-0 3-2 4-2 2-1 0-0 3-0 7-1 5-1 2-1 2-0 1-1 3-1 1-0 5-0 2-1 2-1 1-0 5-3 6-2 1-0 1-0 4-1 2-1 1-0 6-3 1-0 2-1 2-1 2-1 0-0 3-0 3-0 2-1 2-1 3-2 1-0 3-0 2-1 3-3 3-2 2-1 2-1 2-0 2-1 2-1 2-2 2-0 4-3 3-0 2-1 2-0 3-0 4-0 2-1 2-0 5-1 3-0 5-1 2-2 2-0 1-0 2-1 1-0 3-2 0-0 2-0

Aberdeen Falkirk Falkirk Raith Rovers Dunfermline Athletic Hibernian Rangers Kilmarnock Partick Thistle Motherwell St Mirren Partick Thistle Partick Thistle Rangers Partick Thistle Third Lanark Kilmarnock Heart of Midlothian Heart of Midlothian Kilmarnock Morton Celtic Rangers Rangers Dundee Hibernian St Johnstone Celtic Celtic Celtic Celtic Hibernian Celtic Celtic Celtic Aberdeen Aberdeen Aberdeen Dundee Dundee United Rangers Celtic Dundee United Hibernian Celtic Aberdeen Aberdeen Rangers Celtic Dunfermline Athletic Aberdeen Hibernian Celtic Dundee Heart of Midlothian Dundee United St Johnstone Aberdeen Kilmarnock Ayr United Celtic Hibernian Motherwell Dunfermline Athletic Kilmarnock Dundee United Rangers St Mirren Celtic Celtic Heart of Midlothian Inverness Caley Thistle Dundee United

Hampden Park Hampden Park Hampden Park Hampden Park Hampden Park Hampden Park Hampden Park Hampden Park Hampden Park Hampden Park Hampden Park Hampden Park Hampden Park Hampden Park Hampden Park Hampden Park Hampden Park Hampden Park Hampden Park Hampden Park Hampden Park Hampden Park Hampden Park Hampden Park Hampden Park Hampden Park Hampden Park Hampden Park Hampden Park Hampden Park Hampden Park Hampden Park Hampden Park Hampden Park Hampden Park Hampden Park Hampden Park Dens Park Dens Park Hampden Park Hampden Park Hampden Park Hampden Park Hampden Park Hampden Park Hampden Park Hampden Park Hampden Park Hampden Park Hampden Park Hampden Park Celtic Park Ibrox Stadium Hampden Park Celtic Park Ibrox Stadium Celtic Park Hampden Park Hampden Park Hampden Park Hampden Park Hampden Park Hampden Park Hampden Park Hampden Park Hampden Park Hampden Park Hampden Park Hampden Park Hampden Park Hampden Park Celtic Park Hampden Park

82,584 52,781 30,664 53,359 38,897 63,074 91,075 51,830 88,529 55,640 44,103 58,973 31,126 82,293 59,960 57,974 82,063 88,635 47,552 51,280 105,907 91,423 107,609 94,532 66,660 74,000 73,067 106,263 62,740 71,696 27,974 53,848 58,806 69,268 60,168 54,000 27,299 28,984 24,466 53,795 55,372 66,369 44,698 40,065 74,219 71,961 72,122 61,190 62,817 40,377 45,298 47,632 45,384 33,099 48,559 49,305 45,533 50,073 48,830 50,076 50,034 45,443 50,182 50,090 50,162 50,019 51,193 44,538 51,181 49,572 44,036 51,143 49,259

AET

AET

AET

AET AET AET

AET

AET, Rangers won 5-3 on penalties AET AET AET AET, Raith won 6-5 on penalties

AET, Rangers won 3-2 on penalties AET AET

AET, Aberdeen won 4-2 on penalties

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OFFICIAL SIGNAGE PARTNER

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L E AGUE CUP RE SULTS 2015/16 FIRST ROUND Thursday 30 July, 2015 Heart of Midlothian 4-2 Arbroath J McGhee 57 D Gold 40 O Sow 60, pen 61 M Grehan 85 C Wilson og 90 Friday 31 July, 2015 Falkirk 5-0 East Stirlingshire A Muirhead 17 J Baird 57 B Vidler og 68 B McHugh 70 B Alston 78 Saturday 1 August, 2015 Annan Athletic 3-4 Queen of the South (AET) S Osadolor 59 R Conroy 42 P Weatherson 63, 72 D Lyle 65, 100 D Hilson 90 Ayr United 2-0 Brechin City G McLauchlan 12 P Boyle 64 Berwick Rangers 3-2 Alloa Athletic (AET) D Lavery 56 I Flannigan 6, 21 D Morris 77 D Banjo 97 Dunfermline Athletic 5-1 Cowdenbeath F El Bakhtaoui 49, 90 D Hughes 58 S Byrne 56, 78 R Wallace pen 74 1-1 Dumbarton (AET) East Fife N Austin 48 K Cawley 65 (East Fife won 4-3 on penalties) Hibernian S Martin 33 S Allan 71 J Cummings 82

3-0 Montrose

Livingston J White 110

1-0 Clyde (AET)

Morton S McCluskey 48 D Johnstone 68 J Scullion 70, 83 R Forbes pen 74

5-0 Elgin City

0-2 Forfar Athletic Queen’s Park D Young 16 D Denholm 29 Raith Rovers 3-0 Albion Rovers L Vaughan pen 16 K Benedictus 38 R McKeown 54 Stirling Albion

0-1 Airdrieonians

J Morton 41

Stranraer 2-0 Stenhousemuir C Malcolm 15, 90

Sunday August 2, 2015 Rangers 3-0 Peterhead D Templeton 41 K Miller 76 J Tavernier 82 SECOND ROUND Tuesday August 25, 2015 Dunfermline Athletic 3-1 Dundee F El Bakhtaoui 11, 90 K Hemmings 48 J Cardle 86 East Fife 1-3 Motherwell (AET) N Austin 60 L Moult 80

S McDonald 103 L Ainsworth 107

Morton 3-2 Motherwell (AET) Samuel 11, 100 S McDonald 90 L Moult 116 M Tidser 112 Rangers 1-3 St Johnstone M Davidson 19 J Tavernier 62 S Lappin 29 M O’Halloran 45 Ross County 7-0 Falkirk L Boyce 30, 35, 40 R De Vita 45 J Franks 54 B Graham 58 D Holden 81

Forfar Athletic 1-2 Heart of Midlothian (AET) M Dunlop 84 K McHattie 74 G Reilly 105

Wednesday September 23, 2015 2-0 Raith Rovers Celtic K Commons 32 S Johansen 87

Kilmarnock 4-1 Berwick Rangers D Lavery 55 K Boyd pen 16 R McKenzie 70 C Slater 77 K Higginbotham 90

Hibernian J Cummings 82 D Malonga 88

Partick Thistle

0-1 Falkirk

P Grant 32 Queen of the South 0-1 Morton

R Forbes 69 Raith Rovers 2-1 Hamilton Accies I Davidson 3 C Nade 66 K Benedictus 81 Ross County L Boyce 3 M Gardyne 50

2-0 Ayr United

St Mirren 2-3 Livingston L Buchanan 41 C Gallagher 16 D Mullen 44 S Mallan 45 D Gallagher 84 Wednesday August 26, 2015 Airdrieonians 0-5 Rangers N Clark 5 A Halliday 14 M Waghorn 15 D Shiels 84 J Tavernier 88 Hibernian 1-0 Stranraer S Rumsby og 52 THIRD ROUND Tuesday 22 September, 2015 Dundee United 3-1 Dunfermline Athletic (AET) C Morris 35 M Paton 10 S Fraser 96 B Spittal 99 Inverness Caley Thistle Livingston 0-2

M Storey 12 D Devine 43

2-0 Aberdeen

Heart of Midlothian Kilmarnock 2-3 J Magennis 13, 80 A Ozturk 74 J Delgado 89 S Nicholson 90 QUARTER-FINALS Tuesday 27 October, 2015 1-3 St Johnstone Morton D Johnstone 52 S MacLean pen 61 M O’Halloran 63 C Kane 83 Inverness Caley Thistle 1-2 Ross County J Irvine 41 G Tansey 78 M Gardyne 48 Wednesday October 28, 2015 Heart of Midlothian 1-2 Celtic L Griffiths 71 A Djoum 90 T Rogic 82 Wednesday November 4, 2015 Hibernian 3-0 Dundee United D Gray 20 J Cummings pen 61 L Stevenson 90 SEMI-FINALS Saturday 30 January, 2016 Hibernian 2-1 St Johnstone J Cummings pen 29 J Shaughnessy 33 J McGinn 74 Sunday 31 January, 2016 Ross County 3-1 Celtic M Woods pen 15 G Mackay-Steven 1 P Quinn 48 A Schalk 63

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MATCH OFFICIALS K evin Clancy was the fourth official at last season’s League Cup Final but the 32-year-old is the man in the middle this afternoon.

How did you get into refereeing and when did you start?

During my final year at school, I got in touch with the Glasgow Referee Association to enquire about the next refereeing class that was being run. I thought it might be a good way to be involved in football, and my first match was an U13 Glasgow Schools’ fixture in November 2000.

What was your first senior game as a referee?

It was a Third Division match in the Scottish Football League between Stranraer and Montrose on 29 August 2009, which Stranraer won 2-0. I think both sets of players and club officials were well aware it was my first senior appointment, but they didn’t put me under too much pressure and I was even presented with a pennant before the match to mark the occasion! My dad was also among the spectators that day, and has attended all my matches since.

What previous finals have you been involved in?

Although this is my first League Cup Final as the referee, I was involved in the 2013 and 2015 League Cup Finals as fourth official. In 2014, I was the referee for the Challenge Cup Final between Raith Rovers and Rangers, and a couple of months later was additional assistant referee (AAR) for the Scottish Cup Final between Dundee United and St Johnstone.

What have been the highlights of your career so far?

Being promoted to the FIFA list in January 2012 is certainly one. However, I think the achievement of progressing and moving up a refereeing level or league is always a highlight. I have some very fond memories of matches in both junior and senior leagues. Junior matches, in particular, were always character building! That said, my highlight to date is being involved as an additional assistant referee in the UEFA Super Cup Final between Barcelona and

Sevilla that took place in Tbilisi last August. It was a great occasion and a very entertaining final.

What European matches have you been involved in this season?

As referee, I handled three qualification matches during July for the Champions League / Europa League (Mladost v Neftci, Lech Poznan v Sarajevo, and AZ Alkmaar v Istanbul Basaksehir). Last month, I refereed the UEFA Youth League last 16 match between Lyon and Ajax. In addition to the UEFA Super Cup, I’ve also been involved as an AAR in four Champions League matches, two Europa League matches, and a Euro 2016 qualification match, so it has been a busy season so far.

What’s the best game you have been in charge of?

It’s quite hard to pick one game as being the ‘best’ game. The most memorable matches are when there are a lot of goals, and with a lot of passion and atmosphere surrounding the match.

That is especially so for derby matches, such as when I refereed my first Dundee derby and also my first Edinburgh derby.

What’s a typical week if you have a game on a Saturday?

A typical week generally means trying to balance work and refereeing training!

I usually try to do a recovery session in the pool on a Sunday, and then train three or four times during the week to ensure I am preparing properly for the weekend’s match – that would include a high-intensity session, a speed session, and a lighter match preparation session on a Friday.

Favourite stadium visited on your travels abroad?

As an international referee, I am very lucky to have been involved in some fantastic European matches, including trips to places such as Juventus, Bayern Munich, and Galatasaray. However, I think the favourite stadium I have visited is the San Siro for a match between AC Milan and Barcelona.

The first World Cup I have memories of is Italia 90 and the San Siro was always quite an iconic and imposing stadium.

Best thing about being a referee?

Getting the opportunity to be involved in football matches at the top level in Scotland, and also on the international stage.

And the worst?

When you finish a match and find out that a decision you’ve given is shown to be incorrect and has affected the outcome of a match. That is always disappointing to have to deal with, but it is equally important to analyse the incident and learn from it.

Any interests away from the game?

I am a very average golfer, but it is a relaxing way to get away from work and football.

What do you do in your day job?

I work as a solicitor. It can have its challenging moments, but it is a job I really enjoy and can be a good distraction from football! The Monday morning office banter following the weekend’s matches is always good fun, and my colleagues are certainly not shy in providing their honest and frank feedback!

Any changes to the Laws of the Game or innovations you would like to see?

I think in the coming years we could start to see a couple of changes. Firstly, there is a lot of technical detail in the Laws of the Game that the International FA Board is currently looking at revising, and effectively trying to simplify, which can only be a good thing. Secondly, the growing use of technology in other sports probably means this is something we are likely to see used in football in some form or other.

Alan Mulvanny – Assistant Referee (South Stand) Alan Mulvanny (35) has been on the list of referees since 2005 and is now in his sixth season as a specialist assistant referee and his fourth as a FIFA assistant referee. Alan has wide experience in domestic and international football. This is his second appointment to a major domestic cup final, having been the fourth official for the 2012/13 Scottish Cup Final when Celtic beat Hibernian 3-0.

Gary Hilland – Assistant Referee (North Stand) Gary Hilland (40) has been on the list of referees since 2002. He served as a category 1 referee for five seasons before becoming a specialist assistant referee for season 2014/15. Gary officiated at the League Cup semi-final tie between Ross County and Celtic.

John McKendrick – Fourth Official

John McKendrick (46) is now in his 11th season as a Category 1 referee and is a familiar figure around the grounds he officiates at. His appointment to the final is a worthy reflection of his contribution to refereeing in Scotland.

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TO DAY’S REFEREE

PREVIOUS LEAGUE CUP FINAL REFEREES

1946/47 1947/48 1948/49 1949/50 1950/51 1951/52 1952/53 1953/54 1954/55 1955/56 1956/57 1957/58 1958/59 1959/60 1960/61 1961/62 1962/63 1963/64 1964/65 1965/66 1966/67 1967/68 1968/69

Bobby Calder Peter Craigmyle Willie Livingstone Willie Webb Jack Mowat Jack Mowat Jack Mowat John Cox Jack Mowat Hugh Phillips Jack Mowat Jack Mowat Bobby Davidson Bobby Davidson Tom Wharton Bobby Davidson Tom Wharton Hugh Phillips Hugh Phillips Hugh Phillips Tom Wharton Bobby Davidson Willie Syme

1969/70 1970/71 1971/72 1972/73 1973/74 1974/75 1975/76 1976/77 1977/78 1978/79 1979/80 1980/81 1981/82 1982/83 1983/84 1984/85 1985/86 1986/87 1987/88 1988/89 1989/90 1990/91 1991/92

John Paterson Tom Wharton Bill Mullan Alistair MacKenzie Bobby Davidson John Gordon Bill Anderson John Paterson David Syme Ian Foote Brian McGinlay Bob Valentine Eric Pringle Kenny Hope Bob Valentine Brian McGinlay Bob Valentine David Syme Bob Valentine George Smith George Smith Jim McCluskey Brian McGinlay

1992/93 1993/94 1994/95 1995/96 1996/97 1997/98 1998/99 1999/00 2000/01 2001/02 2002/03 2003/04 2004/05 2005/06 2006/07 2007/08 2008/09 2009/10 2010/11 2011/12 2012/13 2013/14 2014/15

Dougie Hope Jim McCluskey Jim McCluskey Les Mottram Hugh Dallas Jim McCluskey Hugh Dallas Kenny Clark Hugh Dallas Hugh Dallas Kenny Clark Willie Young Mike McCurry Stuart Dougal Dougie McDonald Kenny Clark Dougie McDonald Craig Thomson Craig Thomson Willie Collum Craig Thomson Steven McLean Bobby Madden

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TO DAY’S SQUA DS

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HIBERNIAN

ROSS COUNTY

MANAGER: Alan STUBBS ASSISTANT MANAGER: John DOOLAN COLOURS: Green shirts, white shorts, white socks

MANAGER: Jim MCINTYRE ASSISTANT MANAGER: Billy DODDS COLOURS: Navy blue shirts, navy blue shorts, navy blue socks

1 Mark OXLEY (GK) 2 David GRAY 3 Liam HENDERSON 4 Paul HANLON 5 Liam FONTAINE 6 Marvin BARTLEY 8 Fraser FYVIE 9 Farid EL ALAGUI 10 Dylan MC GEOUCH 16 Lewis STEVENSON 17 Martin BOYLE 18 John M C GINN 19 James KEATINGS 21 Dan CARMICHAEL 24 Darren M C GREGOR 27 Niklas GUNNARSSON 28 Anthony STOKES 29 Chris DAGNALL 30 Kevin THOMSON 32 Otso VIRTANEN (GK) 35 Jason CUMMINGS 51 Oli SHAW 56 Callum DONALDSON

APPS 5 4 4 5 5 1 (1) 4 - (1) 3 5 2 (1) 4 1 (2) - (2) 2 (2) 1 5 - (1) -

GOALS 1 1 1 4 -

❍ ❍ ❍ ❍ ❍ ❍ ❍ ❍ ❍ ❍ ❍ ❍ ❍ ❍ ❍ ❍ ❍ ❍ ❍ ❍ ❍ ❍ ❍ ❍ ❍

MATCH OFFICIALS REFEREE: Kevin Clancy ASSISTANT REFEREE 1: Alan Mulvanny ASSISTANT REFEREE 2: Gary Hilland FOURTH OFFICIAL: John McKendrick PLEASE REMAIN SEATED For the safety, security and comfort of all spectators please remain seated throughout the match.

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APPS 1 Scott FOX (GK) 2 2 Marcus FRASER 3 3 Jamie RECKORD 3 5 Scott BOYD 2 6 Chris ROBERTSON 2 7 Michael GARDYNE 3 8 Ian M C SHANE 2 (1) 9 Brian GRAHAM 2 (1) 10 Liam BOYCE 3 (1) 11 Craig CURRAN 1 12 Richard FOSTER 2 (1) 13 Chris KONOPKA (GK) 15 Andrew DAVIES 3 17 Jonathan FRANKS 1 (1) 18 Stewart MURDOCH 2 (1) 19 Tony DINGWALL 1 (2) 21 Gary WOODS (GK) 1 23 Alex SCHALK 1 (1) 24 Raffaele DE VITA 2 26 Martin WOODS 2 36 Jackson IRVINE 4 41 Mark FODEN (GK) 43 Paul QUINN 1 44 Christopher M CLAUGHLIN 53 Greg MORRISON -

GOALS 2 1 4 1 1 1 1 1 1 -

IN THE EVENT OF A DRAW If the score is level after 90 minutes, there will be extra time of 30 minutes (15 minutes each way) and, if necessary, penalty kicks to determine the outcome of the game.

PLEASE NOTE The Police Authorities will be vigilant in the policing of the Criminal Law (Consolidation) (Scotland) Act 1995 and The Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications (Scotland) Act 2012.

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NO SMOKING Please note that smoking is not permitted anywhere within the confines of Hampden Park. Any person found contravening this condition may be ordered to leave the stadium by an authorised Steward or Police Officer.

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