Billy Dodds
Former Scotland striker on BBC One Scotland

Image source, SNS

Celtic defender Shane Duffy gets a glance on to a high, looping cross from David Turnbull and Christopher Jullien is just inches away from connecting with one of his huge, long legs right in front of goal.

Neil McCann
Former Hearts & Rangers winger on BBC Sportsound

Conor Hazard hesitates as he thinks about coming out to clear and Steven Naismith slides in to get a touch on a long punt over the top. The young Celtic keeper is mightily relieved to see the ball roll wide.

Image source, SNS

Neil McCann
Former Hearts & Rangers winger on BBC Sportsound

A good turn of pace from Ryan Christie down the right and he flashes a cross across goal. Hearts skipper Christophe Berra has to be careful as he clears over his own crossbar.

Christopher Jullien pings a long, diagonal cross towards Odsonne Edouard but Hearts goalkeeper Craig Gordon is alert to the danger and comes right to the edge of his box to intercept.

There's plenty of experience in this Hearts side and they certainly don't look overawed in the early stages as the Championship leaders get plenty of touches in midfield.

Celtic's Greg Taylor gallops forward from left-back to join an attack and has a pop at goal but the shot was always rising.

Michael Stewart
Former Scotland midfielder on BBC One Scotland

An early scare for Celtic goalie Conor Hazard as he dives to stop the ball creeping in at the post as Christophe Berra gets a touch on a free-kick inside a busy penalty area.

Referee John Beaton peeps his whistle and the 135th Scottish Cup final is up and running.

Michael Stewart
Former Scotland midfielder on BBC One Scotland

The teams are out and this is when the lack of fans really hits home.

Hampden would normally be a riot of colour and noise, with expectant fans bursting with anticipation. But it's not. You can hear the players' studs echoing down the tunnel before a blast of choreographed pyrotechnics drowns them out.

Celtic manager Neil Lennon tells BBC Scotland: "I felt a little bit nervous this morning, it's cup final day so even at my age you still get a little bit of nerves, but the players are highly motivated and looking forward to the game.

"Ismaila Soro had a bit of food poisoning last night, he felt a bit better this morning but [Scott Brown] Broony was always in our thoughts to start anyway. He's the club captain, he's led the team many times before into big games and we'll need his experience out there.

"We've got a lot of faith in the two young lads [David Turnbull and Conor Hazard]. Conor has come in and taken his chance really well, David's been outstanding in the last few games.

"All the big games are really flat [without fans] but we have to create our own atmosphere within the group and in our style of play as well."

Hearts manager Robbie Neilson tells BBC Scotland: "It's been a long time coming, but we've prepared really well, the players are ready, we've got a full squad apart from John Souttar available for the game and we're looking forward to it. It is a great opportunity for us."

Asked about his team selection, he says: "It's been tough. We've had to leave a few boys out, but ultimately it's about the team, but we've spoken to the guys who were left out and told them that it's a squad of 20 who have come here to win the game.

"It's been much the same as the build up to any cup final because we keep ourselves to ourselves at the training ground, so it is only really coming to the stadium environment that's different, we did well in that environment n the semi-final against Hibs and we hope to replicate that today."

As for Celtic's bid to make history, he adds: "We can only focus on ourselves - we are going for the single single."

Shelley Kerr
Scotland Women's head coach on Sportscene

The criticism of Neil Lennon and Scott Brown has been really unfair. they've got nothing to prove - they have achieved masses for Celtic. Playing Brown will allow them to play David Turnbull more advanced and also allow Callum McGregor to move further forward, as he has been playing more of a defensive role

Hearts players will wear the number 26 on the front of their shorts today in memory of former captain Marius Zaliukas.

The Lithuanian played more than 150 games for the Edinburgh side between 2007 and 2013.

He died, aged 36, on the day Hearts beat beat Hibs in the semi-final.

Author Euan Lownie narrates his festive poem looking ahead to an unusually timed Scottish Cup final.