Celtic stand on the edge of history. After securing an impressive unbeaten league season, they could become the first Scottish side to go unbeaten in all three domestic trophies in a single campaign.
Trebles are rare enough in Scottish football, Celtic have only managed it three times in their history, so for the Hoops to do it in a season in which they haven’t been beaten once would be quite remarkable.
Standing in their way is Derek McInnes’ Aberdeen, a team hoping to secure their first Scottish Cup win in 27 years.
The Dons have consistently been Celtic’s closest challengers in recent years and that was true again this season, finishing second in the Scottish Premiership and going head to head with Brendan Rodgers’ side in the Scottish League Cup final.
There can be no complacency. Despite brushing aside the competition this season, the Hoops will be aware that Aberdeen have more than enough about them on their day to cause problems.
How does Rodgers ensure there are no slip ups?
By following our handy guide of course…
The Focus: Patrick Roberts
Regardless of which club Patrick Roberts is playing for next season, be it Celtic, Manchester City or another, he will likely go down as one of the greatest loan signings in the club’s history and there have been plenty over the last 15 years.
Possessing incredible skill and pace on the wing and the finishing ability of an elite striker, Roberts has wowed Celtic supporters for nearly 18 months now and you’d be hard pushed to find a fan who wants him to say goodbye to Glasgow.
As is probably logical considering he’s young and developing, he’s coming into his best form right at the tail-end of his loan deal and has scored five goals in his last seven matches for the club, making him the sixth Hoops player this season to reach double figures.
After another man of the match performance against Hearts on trophy day, setting up both goals of a 2-0 win, he will undoubtedly be Celtic’s big attacking threat on Saturday.
When Brendan Rodgers allows his team to siphon attacks through the 20-year-old there are usually only benefits and if he’s given license to punish Aberdeen again, the treble will most likely be delivered.
The Big Call: Griffiths ahead of Dembele
Brendan Rodgers shocked everyone on Friday when he revealed that Moussa Dembele is ‘fine to start’ the match against Aberdeen. However, does that mean he should? After all he can’t be 100% match fit considering he hasn’t featured for the Hoops in over a month.
If he is available you’d think Rodgers would perhaps be silly to consider not playing his 32-goal top scorer this season but for us the answer at the tip of the Celtic attack is still Leigh Griffiths.
As mentioned, Dembele won’t be fully fit even if injury free and while he might have featured in training all week, there’s no substitute for match sharpness and Griffiths has plenty of that right now.
The Scotland international has scored four goals in his last five matches, bringing his tally to 18 for the season. That’s a remarkable total when you consider he hasn’t been first choice for the vast majority of it and didn’t start at all between December and April.
Griffiths is in form, motivated and if given the responsibility to lead the attack will surely respond with a goal.
The Key Threat: Jonny Hayes
Jonny Hayes reminded everybody last week of his ability to score goals from distance with the above belter against Celtic at Pittodrie. The Hoops may have surged to a 3-0 lead but his effort shows that Hayes has an x-factor that makes him an undeniable threat at Hampden on Saturday.
He’s directly contributed more goals to Aberdeen’s cause this season than any other player in the squad, through goals and assists and Brendan Rodgers must take him seriously and counter his threat.
The Republic of Ireland international is the kind of player who, if the game is a tight one or even level heading into the closing minutes, could score from nowhere and deliver some heartache for the Bhoys.
Stop him and you take away one of Derek McInnes’ biggest weapons.
