The stage is set for the latest instalment of Scottish football's showpiece event, with Celtic taking on Inverness in the Men's Scottish Cup Final on Saturday.
Inverness are seeking a second Scottish Cup triumph in their history, while Celtic are one step away from a historic Treble - after already wrapping up the Viaplay Sports Cup and the league title this season.
For Celtic, victory would also mark their second Scottish Cup trophy in a week. Goals from Natasha Flint and Claire O'Riordan saw Fran Alonso's side give the trophy in last weekend's Women's Scottish Cup Final.
Road To The Final
Celtic have won this cup on 40 occasions and they have been in formidable form this season as they aim to make it 41. Ange Postecoglou's side have only conceded the one goal in the competition this year, while scoring 14.
They began their campaign with a Fourth Round tie against Morton, with Aaron Mooy and Kyogo Furuhashi both grabbing braces, while Scotland international David Turnbull was also on target in a 5-0 win.
They also scored five goals at Celtic Park against St Mirren in the next round - though that does not tell the whole story. Daizen Maeda turned in Mooy's cross to give them the lead but the scoreline remained 1-0 until Richard Taylor was sent off for handball with 15 minutes remaining.
Reo Hatate converted the resulting penalty, and Oh Hyeon-gyu and Matt O'Riley added insult to injury as the Hoops eventually ran out 5-0 winners.
A tricky trip to Tynecastle to face Hearts came next but Mooy's opener after just two minutes set the tone as Kyogo and Cameron Carter-Vickers were also on target in a 3-0 victory.
Rangers were next up in an eagerly-anticipated Semi-Final at the National Stadium. It was a closely fought encounter with chances for both teams but it was Celtic who took theirs - Maeda crossing for Jota to head home the only goal of the game.
Inverness, meanwhile, have enjoyed a unique run to this year's final. They began their campaign with a five-goal thriller against Stirling Albion in the Third Round - 2015 winner Aaron Doran eventually netting the winner.
They then received a reprieve after a Fourth Round 2-0 defeat to Queen's Park when the Spiders were ejected from the competition for fielding an ineligible player.
Caley made the most of this good fortune by recording an impressive scalp over Premiership side Livingston in the next round. Billy McKay had his own Goal of the Round competition with two stunning strikes either side of a Sean Welsh goal as Billy Dodds' side won 3-0.
They then backed that up with another victory over Premiership opposition in Kilmarnock in the last four to seal their Semi-Final spot. Despite falling behind to a Kyle Vassell goal, McKay and Welsh repeating their goal-scoring heroics to seal a Hampden return.
They faced Falkirk - conquerers of Darvel - in the Semi-Final in what looked an interesting match up. Inverness were clinical, however, and after a McKay penalty sent them on their way, they eventually claimed a comfortable 3-0 win to return to the Final.
Cup Form
Celtic have had a real stranglehold on this competition for much of the past decade and they won it four times in a row from 2016 and 2020. They haven't reached the final since that year though, losing to rivals Rangers in the 2020/21 and 2021/22 editions of the competitions.
Celtic secured a resounding victory when these two sides last met in 2017. Moussa Dembele scored a hat-trick, while Kieran Tierney was also on target as Brendan Rodgers' Celtic claimed a 6-0 win at Celtic Park.
But Inverness have plenty of fond memories of matches against Celtic in this competition - especially in 2015, when John Hughes' Inverness side shocked the Premiership champions by winning 3-2 in the Scottish Cup Semi-Final.
Caley Thistle would go on to lift the cup that year, defeating Falkirk in the final to win this competition for the first time in their history.
Inverness also famously secured a shock 3-1 win over Celtic at Celtic Park in the Scottish Cup in 2000 and they repeatedly the feat in 2003 in the same competition, defeating Martin O'Neill's UEFA Cup finalists 1-0.
Pre-match thoughts
Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou: "Obviously the game is the most important thing but it's also a great occasion and you want to be part of it. That was our goal, so you have to make sure you get there on the day.
"Then there is the potential to have these iconic moments and for the magic to happen.
"I know the boys are looking forward to it. Once the league was done, I could tell their minds had shifted to making sure we finished off this special season and preparing themselves to have a big game on the day."
Inverness Caledonian Thistle manager Billy Dodds: “We respect every opponent, as we have done throughout this competition.
"We respected Livingston and Kilmarnock and we had to because they’re Premiership teams but we have to focus on what we can do.
“We’re going to need a bit of luck, top-notch performances from my players, my goalkeeper to have a good day.
"But when I was at Queen of the South (as a coach) and we played Rangers in the (2008) Scottish Cup final we were 2-0 down at half-time (before coming back to 2-2 and then losing 3-2).
“This competition’s all about miracles and they do happen. We’re going there with the mindset we can win the game.”
How to Watch
The match will be live on BBC One Scotland and on Viaplay.
Programmes
Match programmes will be available to buy on Saturday outside Hampden Park. They can also be purchased here.
Travel Advice
Persons attending events at Hampden Park should be aware that the area immediately surrounding the stadium is mainly residential and the availability of on-street parking is extremely limited due to event specific parking restrictions.
On event days we would advise persons attending Hampden Park where possible to use public transport to get to and from the stadium, if not travelling by organised coach/bus.
Details regarding public transport can be found on Traveline Scotland, Hampden Park and Scotrail websites. Celtic supporters are encouraged to utilise King's Park train station and Inverness supporters encouraged to use Mount Florida train station.
Directions for Buses to West of stadium - Inverness Caledonian Thistle
M8/M74 to M77 – exit M77 at Jct 1 (Dumbreck) – onto Dumbreck Road to Titwood Road (Low Bridge on Titwood Road 4.2m or 13’9” - Diversion required depending on height of bus via Haggs Road/Shawmoss Road), Minard Road onto Langside Avenue B768 and thereafter follow direction from Police motorcyclists to allocate supporters bus parking areas in the west of stadium area.
Club coaches would need to follow the above routes as well and should only deviate if they possess a specific Hampden Car Park pass. This should be prominently displayed so the motorcycles are aware.
Directions for Buses to East of stadium - Celtic
M8/M73 to M74 Jct 1A (Polmadie) – onto Polmadie Road towards Stadium and follow directions from Police motorcyclists to allocated supporters bus parking areas in the east of stadium area.
Coach Parking
Inverness – Blue Car Park – Off Letherby Drive
Celtic – Purple Car Park - Off Aitkenhead Road.