Tom English
BBC Scotland's chief sports writer

Kenny Miller
Former Celtic & Hibernian striker on BBC Scotland Sportsound

Hibs winger Martin Boyle famously took apart league leaders Rangers with a first-half hat-trick in his side's 3-1 semi-final win.

But, with four goals in all, he is only the joint second highest scorer in this season's competition and needs two more today to match Queen of the South striker Ally Roy's six.

While Hibs' success might have much to do with the Australia international performs, Celtic like to share the burden and, although Kyogo Furuhashi is seen as their main man, their seven goals in the tournament have all been netted by different scorers.

Image source, SNS

Hibs caretaker boss David Gray captained the side to 2016 Scottish Cup final success and, asked if he can draw from his own cup final heroics, he says: “I think it's important that you can share these experiences. It's so hard to win something in your career and that's been the message coming into today, that today is an opportunity."

On facing Celtic, he adds: “We knew, regardless of personal, they’d be a fantastic team. We're under no illusions it’s going to be a hard game today."

Image source, SNS

Hibernian interim manager David Gray says that the Hibs squad haven't been "shying away" from their poor run of form.

“None of the players were shying away form the fact results weren't good enough," he tells BBC Scotland. "And we just need to get a reaction out of them.

“We’ve got a lot of players that can play various positions. We want to start on the front foot, it’s vitally important the boys start the game fast.

“They don't come bigger than cup finals. This squad has earned their right to be here."

Image source, SNS

Hibs owner Ron Gordon would not confirm that Shaun Maloney is to be confirmed as team boss on Monday, saying "we’ll keep it a surprise for now".

"We’re working on it, we’ve put in a lot of diligent work," Gordon tells BBC Scotland. "Certainly an appointment is not too far away.

David Gray takes interim charge of Hibs at Hampden and Gordon adds: “David is the right guy to take us through this time – he’s obviously had some magical moments here at Hampden and we hope he has another today.

"We’re at a crossroads as a club and today could be a wonderful opportunity to play the kind of football we want to and get the result we’re looking for."

Image source, SNS

Thomas Duncan
BBC Scotland reporter at Hampden

Thankfully, the mist that has enveloped Glasgow for the last 36 hours has not obscured the Hampden pitch.

Fans are starting to file in on a bitterly cold December day amid a backdrop of rising Covid-19 cases.

In that context, it feels a slightly strange occasion, although by the time the national stadium is full and the game is underway, the full focus will be on who will clinch the first silverware of the season.

Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou tells BBC Scotland that Kyogo Furuhashi was given "every chance" to make the starting XI.

“He's worked hard since his injury," he says. "He didn't want to miss this game obviously. He's ready to go after he trained well yesterday.

“We just address each game as it comes. I pick the team that I think will win that game and we go from there.

“We’ve had some challenges in recent times, but our performances have been good and thankfully the results have followed."

On today's opponents, he adds: “It's a one-off game, I'm disappointed Jack Ross isn't here to lead his team out because you can see what they did in the semi-final. It’ll be a tough game and we’ve got the be on it."

Image source, SNS

Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou said Saturday's training session would be the last chance for Kyogo Furuhashi, James Forrest and Mikey Johnston to prove their fitness after missing the midweek win over Ross County.

Two out of the three forwards make the starting line-up, with Scotland winger Forrest missing out.

A bit of a surprise is the fact that Josip Juranovic moves over from left-back to his more natural right to replace the in-form Anthony Ralston, who is on the bench, with Greg Taylor coming back in.

Tom Rogic also comes into midfield, with Nir Bitton, Liam Scales and Adam Montgomery also dropping out and among the substitutes.

Image source, SNS

Hibs caretaker David Gray makes just one change, with Chris Cadden, who was an injury doubt, dropping to the bench, with veteran Lewis Stevenson starting at left-back instead.

However, Scotland striker Kevin Nisbet, who also went off injured during Tuesday's win over Dundee, makes the starting line-up.

Image source, SNS

Hibernian: Macey, McGinn, Porteous, Hanlon, Stevenson, Doyle-Hayes, Newell, Boyle, Campbell, Murphy, Nisbet.

Substitutes: Dabrowski, Doig, Wright, Doidge, Gogic, Allan, McGregor, Scott, Cadden.

Celtic: Hart, Juranovic, Carter-Vickers, Starfelt, Taylor, McGregor, Turnbull, Abada, Rogic, Johnston, Kyogo.

Substitutes: Bain, Scales, Bitton, McCarthy, Shaw, Montgomery, Raston, Welsh, Moffat.

Celtic beat Hibs in the League Cup semi-finals at Hampden in 2017 and 2019 during that four-year stretch as the holders.

The sides have met in the final three times, all within a seven-year period.

Hibs' 2-1 triumph in 1972-73 was sandwiched between resounding Celtic wins, 6-2 in 1968-69 and 6-3 in 1974-75.

Sportsound's coverage of today's Hampden showdown is about to begin on BBC Radio Scotland.

Former Celtic and Hibs striker Kenny Miller, former Celtic goalkeeper Pat Bonner and former Scotland defender Willie Miller are the pundits joining host Richard Gordon, with Liam McLeod your commentator from Hampden.

Click the link above to listen.

They call Hibs' caretaker boss Sir David Gray down Easter Road way thanks to the then captain's stoppage-time winner in the 2016 Scottish Cup final.

Now the former right-back can be Lord of Leith should he lead them to another trophy as caretaker.

The 33-year-old takes charge for a third time since Jack Ross' sacking, having followed up a draw away to St Mirren with a midweek win at home to Dundee.

The final is expected to be Gray's last game in charge with Hibs, as mentioned earlier, being in advanced talks with their preferred candidate, Shaun Maloney.

Image source, SNS

Hibs' preparations for Hampden have not only been clouded by the fog that has enveloped much of Scotland this weekend but also their lack of a manager.

Head coach Jack Ross was dispatched within minutes of a 1-0 defeat by Livingston on 8 December that left them with two wins in 10 games and dropping out of the top half of the Scottish Premiership table.

Former Celtic and Scotland midfielder Shaun Maloney, currently assistant to Roberto Martinez with Belgium, is expected to be appointed on Monday, but Hibs are officially staying schtum about it all as coach David Gray prepares to lead his side out at Hampden.

Image source, SNS

One of the those who is missing from the Celtic squad, and has been since last season, is centre-half Christopher Jullien and he and fellow Frenchman Moussa Dembele, the former Celtic striker now with Lyon, have sent their best wishes ahead of the game.