This weekend is one of the biggest in the Scottish football calendar. The biggest sides in the country are coming together in two massive clashes to decide who will go head-to-head in May’s Scottish Cup Final.
Most of the build-up coverage and chatter has, of course, surrounded the big derby between Celtic and Rangers. However, the other semi-final is going to be no less dramatic as two clubs with massive followings, massive expectations and massive dreams battle it out to play the winner of the much-hyped Old Firm encounter.
Neil Lennon’s Hibernian go up against Derek McInnes’ Aberdeen in what is sure to be a competitive and hard-fought encounter, despite a division separating the two clubs.
Hibs are of course defending champions and, for us, are actually pretty well placed to win the entire competition.
Here are FOUR reasons why…
No more Hampden hoodoo
Hibernian had to wait an incredible 114 years between last winning the Scottish Cup and lifting the trophy last May against Rangers. Supporters had become convinced they were cursed and would never win the competition again having missed out on so many semi-finals and finals.
It would be won in the dying moments of the game when captain David Gray rose to head home the perfect fairytale goal for a 4-3 victory. Never have Hibs fans celebrated so wildly.
Ending that Hampden hoodoo could in turn be the springboard for them to win it again this year. Neil Lennon has retained the majority of the squad from last year’s triumph, so they have a core of a team who know how to win big matches at the national stadium.
Aberdeen in contrast haven’t won the trophy in over 20 years and their fans are beginning to wonder when they’ll taste the sweet glory of Scottish football’s oldest competition.
After waiting over a century for Scottish Cup success, like buses, two may come along at once.
Focus on preparation
Hibernian have wrapped up the Scottish Championship, gaining promotion after having to see the likes of Hearts and Rangers go up ahead of them in recent seasons. They’ll finally be playing top-flight football again.
They now have little to play for in that competition and should they get past Aberdeen that can focus 100% on May’s final. The same can’t be said for Rangers or Celtic.
The Gers are trying desperately to overhaul Aberdeen in the race for second place. Celtic, meanwhile, have found themselves chasing immortality and the prospect of an unbeaten domestic season.
Both clubs also have harder fixtures, having to go up against each other once more alongside the rest of the top six teams in the Scottish Premiership.
The chance for Neil Lennon to rest players and build towards the final with no pressure on his shoulders could be a key determining factor when the final comes around.
One of the best in recent times
Hibernian have been one of the most consistent sides in the entire competition over the last half decade, making the final in three of the last five years and a semi-final in five of the last six. That’s a better record than any other team in the competition. For whatever reason, they seem to know what it takes to get results in the Scottish Cup.
That makes them a very dangerous opponent, not just for Aberdeen on Saturday but for both Glasgow sides.
If they deal with the challenge of Aberdeen they’ll be heading into the final as the most consistent side in the competition over the last few years and that may be enough to give them the confidence and the edge in a match-up that will be full of tension and could be decided by the smallest margins.
Neil Lennon is a born winner
Neil Lennon knows how to win trophies. He won two League Cups with Leicester City and a massive eleven major honours with Celtic when he was a player. As a manager he also won five trophies with the Hoops and he’s romped home to a Scottish Championship win with Hibs too.
In total he’s won the Scottish Cup six times. Hibs haven’t had a manager with this winning pedigree in recent times and the combination of bringing in a manager with a winning mentality with an iconic club could lead them into a new golden era of success.
They’ll be targeting top six in the Scottish Premiership but alongside that they’ll definitely fancy their chances in all the domestic trophies. Can Lennon kick it all off with a famous win in May?
As reported by The Sun, Southampton boss Claude Puel is resigned to losing Virgil van Dijk this summer with Liverpool, Everton and Chelsea all seeking his services.
What’s the story?
Van Dijk hasn’t featured for the Saints since January after suffering an ankle injury, but that hasn’t stopped speculation surrounding his exit from St Mary’s this summer.
The Sun reckon that Claude Puel sees the situation as urgent enough to seek a £10m replacement in the form of Toulouse centre back Christopher Jullien.
That opens the door for the likes of Liverpool to seal the deal for the Dutch international this summer, who the paper say is rated at £50m.
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Difference maker
Liverpool have suffered defensively this season, conceding more goals than any team in the top seven of the English Premier League.
The likes of Dejan Lovren have suffered from poor form and a lack of confidence, leaving Liverpool fans hoping of defensive reinforcements in the summer.
Van Dijk was in imperious form in the first half of the season before his injury, arguably the top performing defender in the entire division.
Securing his signature could be a difference maker for Liverpool, the missing piece of the Jurgen Klopp puzzle. If he can add defensive stability to the Reds then they’ll have both the attacking and defensive prowess to launch a serious title bid next season.
Arsenal will look to keep their top-four hopes alive when they host one of their competitors for a Champions League spot in Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.
Following a 2-0 defeat to Premier League title contenders and arch-rivals in the final ever north London derby at White Hart Lane last weekend, the Gunners are six points behind fourth-placed Manchester City with just five fixtures of the campaign remaining, and five points behind their opponents on Sunday.
After a disappointing and lacklustre 3-0 defeat to Crystal Palace last month, Arsene Wenger switched to a 3-4-3 formation and it was a move that seemed to be working as they picked up three successive wins in all competition before the loss to Spurs.
The French manager is likely to stick with the system for the visit of Jose Mourinho’s men this weekend but he faces a tough task to take all three points against the Red Devils, who are unbeaten in their last 25 top flight matches.
Here is our predicted Arsenal XI that will destroy United…
Petr Cech
While he is the undoubted number one goalkeeper under Arsene Wenger, Cech will be well aware that he has kept just one clean sheet in his last five appearances in all competitions for the Gunners.
The 34-year-old’s incredible record of never saving a penalty he has faced for the north London outfit continued last weekend as he was beaten from the spot by Harry Kane, and he will be determined to prevent United from finding the net on Sunday.
Shkodran Mustafi
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While the Germany international has impressed at times during his debut season in the Premier League, at other times he has struggled – his last Gunners appearance came in the 3-0 defeat to Crystal Palace last month.
He has been missing with a thigh injury since then but after Arsene Wenger confirmed that he had returned to training this week, he could shore up a defence that looked far from comfortable during the north London derby defeat last weekend.
Laurent Koscielny
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The 31-year-old was far from his best at White Hart Lane last Sunday and he will be aware that the defence should have reacted quicker to stop Dele Alli’s goal.
The Frenchman is one of the only leaders in the current Arsenal team, and he will know that he will need to be at his best and to keep his teammates organised if they are to stop the likes of Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial and Wayne Rooney from finding the net on Sunday.
Gabriel
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Like Mustafi, the Brazilian has had an up-and-down season in terms of performances and his showing at White Hart Lane last weekend certainly wasn’t one of his best.
Arsene Wenger would have wanted his team to try and keep it tight after Dele Alli’s opening goal last weekend, but just a couple of minutes later Gabriel gave Tottenham the chance to double their lead when he stuck his leg out in the penalty area.
The resulting spot-kick effectively ended the match as a contest and he will want to bounce back against United.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain
With Hector Bellerin struggling for form this season Chamberlain has been preferred in the right wing-back role in recent matches by Arsene Wenger, and he has impressed.
As with his Arsenal teammates, he struggled against Tottenham at points last weekend as he continues to learn about being defensively aware, but he did do well to put off Dele Alli as the Spurs star looked destined to score during the first half.
His next challenge could come against Anthony Martial and he once again needs to make sure he is on his game.
Aaron Ramsey
Much was said about who would come out on top in the central midfield battle between Ramsey and Granit Xhaka and Tottenham duo Victor Wanyama and Eric Dier in the final ever north London derby last weekend, and there is no doubt that it was the latter pair.
The Wales international has failed to find the top form he has shown in recent seasons and he will be looking to put that right and put in a starring performance in what is a crucial clash for his side if they are to qualify for next season’s Champions League.
Francis Coquelin
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It’s fair to say that the midfielder isn’t the most popular figure among the fans following some below-par performances this season, but he could be called back into the starting XI by Arsene Wenger on Sunday with Granit Xhaka being a doubt because of injury.
If he is recalled, Coquelin could come up against his French compatriot Paul Pogba at the Emirates and he will need to provide a strong shield in front of the three centre-backs in order to keep the United frontline quiet.
Nacho Monreal
After scoring in the FA Cup semi-final success against Manchester City and picking up the assist for Robert Huth’s winning own goal against Leicester City, the Spaniard might have hoped that he would be named on the left-hand side for the north London derby.
However, with Shkodran Mustafi still absent and Rob Holding named on the substitutes’ bench he was once again named as one of the three centre-backs with Kieran Gibbs as a left wing-back.
That is likely to change for the visit of United this weekend with Mustafi set to return, and Monreal will be looking to provide an attacking threat, as well as keeping the likes of Jesse Lingard and Antonio Valencia quiet.
Mesut Ozil
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In all truth, despite a crazy couple of minutes ultimately costing Arsenal the north London derby, they created few chances at White Hart Lane and it is something that must change going forward if they are to secure a top-four finish.
After also drawing blanks in the defeats to West Bromwich Albion and Crystal Palace earlier this year, Arsene Wenger needs players like Ozil to step up and create opportunities for his teammates if they are to get results – starting with the visit of a resolute Manchester United defence on Sunday.
Alexis Sanchez
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As we mentioned previously, Arsenal hardly troubled the Tottenham defence last weekend and when you have players like Sanchez and Ozil in your side, it simply isn’t good enough.
While the Chile international shows his world-class ability at times, on other occasions he goes missing and makes the wrong decisions.
With the injuries mounting up for Jose Mourinho, Sanchez could come up against a makeshift United defence on Sunday and he needs to take advantage of it as we know he can.
Olivier Giroud
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In the corresponding fixture between the two sides earlier in the season, United looked set to secure a deserved win after Juan Mata’s second half goal, but substitute Giroud rescued a point for the Gunners with a towering 89th-minute header – their first shot on target in the match.
Arsene Wenger will know that the Frenchman can cause problems in the air for the potential United centre-back partnership of Eric Bailly and especially Daley Blind, and that could prove to be a key battle if the hosts are to get the win they so desperately need.
According to the Metro, Arsenal are ready to bid £25 million for Monaco’s midfield sensation Thomas Lemar.
What’s the Word?
Reports are suggesting that Arsene Wenger is very interested in making the marauding playmaker an Arsenal player this summer.
Having signed for Monaco in 2015 for just €3million, Lemar has come on leaps and bounds in his time in the principality. This season, his talents have been given a platform on the world stage, with Monaco’s impressive domestic and Champions League campaigns.
How good has Lemar been this season?
In short – he has been a revelation. While much of the praise for Monaco’s phenomenal season is geared toward Kylian Mbappe and Falcao, Lemar has been a key cog in the team. The winger has been an ever present in the side this campaign, appearing 46 times and scoring 12 goals in the process.
However, it has not been his technical ability or lightning pace that has caught the eye of many watching clubs. Lemar’s key strength is his football intelligence, especially his positioning.
Is Lemar a good fit for Arsenal?
A perfect fit. Regardless of Arsene Wenger’s proclivity for young French talent, Lemar is a player who will undoubtedly progress in the English game. Having played in the same team as N’Golo Kante during his time at Caen, Lemar will be fully aware of the demands of the Premier League.
The 21-year-old has a somewhat oxymoronic gentle physicality, similar to that of Patrick Vieira. Lemar can glide around the pitch and find acres of space, while at the same time bully an opposing player off the ball in equal measures.
You’d be forgiven for thinking that Saturday’s Scottish Cup Final is all about Celtic. Off the back of an incredible unbeaten league season, they’re going for a rare domestic clean sweep of trophies; the treble.
That’s the script written and the fairytale ending to Brendan Rodgers’ first season in charge as Celtic manager. However, as we know in football, scripts are written to be ripped up.
Aberdeen don’t care about Celtic’s record, they don’t care about the treble nor do they care about Brendan Rodgers’ achievements. All they care about is winning their first Scottish Cup in 27 years by getting the win at Hampden.
The second best team in Scotland for yet another season, the only thing that Derek McInnes has not delivered at the club is this trophy. It’s been a burning ambition of theirs for a quarter of a century now and they have 90 minutes to achieve glory.
But can they do it? Well, yes. If the Hoops have an off day and Aberdeen play out of their skin, anything can happen.
These are the THREE players we reckon could push Celtic to the limit on Saturday…
Jonny Hayes
Jonny Hayes has been the outstanding Aberdeen this player, even forcing his way into the Scottish PFA Player Of The Year shortlist ahead of some outstanding Celtic performers like Scott Brown. With 10 goals and 12 assists in all competitions, he’s an all-rounder who on his day can produce a bit of magic and win matches.
To find proof of that, all you need to do is look at the last match between Aberdeen and Celtic, when he pinged one in from distance to pull a goal back after the Hoops had rushed to an early lead.
If there’s one player in red who can create something from nothing it’s Hayes. Perhaps more than any other player at Pittodrie, he loves the club too. He signed a new contract until 2019 with the club in February.
Can he give what fans crave most and deliver Scottish Cup glory?
Adam Rooney
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Adam Rooney’s consistency at Aberdeen has been quite remarkable since joining up in January 2014. In his three full seasons since then he’s managed to hit at least 20 goals and heads into Saturday’s cup final as the club’s top scorer once again. He’s been the driving force behind their journey to the final, scoring three times in the competition from four matches.
A poacher who thrives on the service of Aberdeen’s strong midfield, if he gets a chance on Saturday you’d expect him to take it.
It’s worth remembering too that it was Rooney who scored the winning penalty for the Dons the last time they picked up a trophy, against Inverness Caledonian Thistle in the Scottish League Cup final of 2014, showing he can thrive under the pressure of the big occasion.
Niall McGinn
Completing the triple threat of Aberdeen this Saturday is Niall McGinn, another of Aberdeen’s most consistent players over the last few years and perhaps the old flame that comes back to haunt the Hoops.
McGinn of course is a former Celtic player but didn’t quite make it as a regular first team starter. It would be rather poetic if he was the one to ruin their treble hopes.
Scoring 14 goals this season, he’s been in excellent form, also contributing 7 assists in the Scottish Premiership.
His direct pace, ability to cross a ball and finish well makes him one of the players to watch for Brendan Rodgers this Saturday.
The other fateful reason he could be their key man is the fact this match is likely his last game for Aberdeen, having not renewed his contract. A player who has shown tremendous loyalty and provided some big moments at Pittodrie over the years, can he leave supporters with one last gift?
According to reports from The Daily Star, Jose Mourinho has decided Chris Smalling is surplus to requirements at Manchester United.
Not long ago, the 31-cap England international had established himself as the most important defender at Old Trafford, often wearing the captain’s armband under Louis van Gaal and winning the Players’ Player of the Season award for 2015/16.
But Smalling has hardly seen the light of day under the Portuguese, making just 13 Premier League starts last term, and The Daily Star suggest Victor Lindelof’s arrival will essentially push him out of the exit door.
It’s claimed West Ham are already lining up a £10million bid for the 27-year-old, but United value him at around £5million more.
Curiously, The Daily Star also mention interest from Everton and Ronald Koeman is certainly in need of some fresh blood in central defence, with Ashley Williams and Phil Jagielka both the wrong side of 30.
So, Everton fans, should your club attempt to derail West Ham’s transfer plans with a superior bid for the 6 foot 4 defender? Let us know by voting below…
According to reports in The Sun, Arsenal are trying to seal a £50m deal to sign Lyon striker Alexandre Lacazette this summer.
What’s the word, then?
Well, Gunners manager Arsene Wenger is actively looking to significantly strengthen his squad following a disappointing fifth-place finish this season – which means they will miss out on a 21st successive Champions League campaign – and he wants to boost his attacking options.
The Frenchman was pictured in Nice earlier this week with Ivan Gazidis and it was thought that he might be there to discuss a deal for Monaco’s Kylian Mbappe, but instead it may have been regarding Lacazette.
The prolific attacker wants to leave the Ligue 1 outfit this summer and had looked set to join Atletico Madrid before they failed to overturn their transfer ban, which means he could move to England instead.
How good is he?
He is excellent.
The 26-year-old has scored 113 goals in all competitions for Lyon over the course of the past four seasons and he has just enjoyed his best campaign yet, netting an impressive 37 in 45 outings.
Would he be a good signing for Arsenal?
He certainly would be, yes.
The striker has shown that he has the ability and consistency to play at the very highest level, and the quality of his finishing could help to make the Gunners Premier League title contenders next term.
Does he not want Champions League football?
He probably would do, yes.
The Frenchman apparently wants to leave Lyon after their fourth-place finish in Ligue 1 meant they only qualified for the Europa League, and Arsenal would have to do a lot of convincing seeing as they have only qualified for the same competition.
However, they are ready to offer him £200,000-a-week wages which might help push the deal over the line.
Do they face any competition for his signature?
They may well do.
Lacazette could choose to wait to join Atletico during the January transfer window while Liverpool have previously expressed an interest in the 26-year-old.
What’s the verdict, then?
Well, if Arsenal can add Lacazette and Mbappe to their attacking options this summer – as well as keeping Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez – there is no doubt that they could be contenders for the title next season.
Arsenal tend to be criticised, mainly by their own fans, when it comes to transfer activity, but this week they have made the biggest signing of the summer so far.
On Wednesday, the North London club announced on Twitter and via their official website that Alexandre Lacazette has joined the club from Lyon on a long-term deal.
Arsenal opted not to disclose the fee, but numerous media outlets, including The Telegraph, have claimed that in total, the Gunners will pay a club-record figure of £52m.
Lacazette is an exciting talent given his goalscoring statistics in France. During a seven-year spell, the 26-year-old scored 129 times in 275 outings.
Last season alone, the forward scored 37 goals in 45 appearances in all competitions, and if Arsenal can keep hold of Alexis Sanchez, they will have quite the attacking lineup in the 2017-18 campaign.
Sky Sports pundit Charlie Nicholas, who spent five years playing for Arsenal in the 1980s, has hailed the club for bringing in such a goal-hungry player.
The Scotsman told Sky Sports News:
“He is at a prime age now to look to hit the ground running at Arsenal. They should have tried to get him three years ago. Arsenal needed a guy who’s intelligent, his movement is good, he’s got good speed and he doesn’t always have to go and be an old-fashioned number nine. He will want to try and improve on his own reputation. I really do think he is a perfect fit.”
Lacazette is the second player to come through the welcome gates at the Emirates this summer following the arrival of left-sided player Sead Kolasinac from Schalke.
According to reports in the Daily Mail, Tottenham Hotspur have told Manchester United that Eric Dier is not for sale at any price.
The Red Devils had been linked with a move for the £50m-rated star by The Telegraph on Friday, but the Daily Mail says that despite the fact that the Red Devils spoke to Spurs about signing the 23-year-old earlier this year, they were told that he is not available this summer.
The England international has become a key player for the north London outfit over the course of the last three seasons, and he is a versatile player who is equally comfortable playing at centre-back as he is in defensive or central midfield.
Tottenham supporters were quick to have their say on the story via social media, with the majority delighted that the Three Lions star would be staying with the club, although there was one person that would have accepted a swap deal for a United player.
Arsenal lifted the Emirates Cup despite being beaten 2-1 by Sevilla at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday, but Gunners fans were far from pleased with the performance of forward Danny Welbeck.
The 26-year-old started just behind striker Alexandre Lacazette in the 3-4-2-1 formation and it was his scuffed shot that allowed the Gunners’ club-record signing to net his first goal at home for the north London outfit.
However, the former Manchester United attacker struggled to impose himself on the game as goals from Joaquin Correa and Steven N’Zonzi either side of Lacazette’s goal gave the La Liga side the win.
Arsenal supporters were quick to have their say on the performance of the forward via social media, and while some were slightly amused that his mis-kicks seem to have a habit of turning into assists, others believe that the club should look to get rid of the England international.