Although anything can happen in a one-off clash, few will expect Aberdeen to stop a rampant Celtic side from acquiring yet another piece of domestic silverware. The Hoops steamrolled their way to the title this season, having also bagged the League Cup just before Christmas.
Now on the cusp of clinching a staggering ninth treble in their decorated history and a third under the stewardship of Brendan Rodgers, Celtic continue to re-write the record books.
Aberdeen progressed to the final following a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Hearts, who were controversially reduced to nine men following John Beaton’s decision to send off Michael Steinwender and Cammy Devlin. Palestinian forward Oday Dabbagh netted a very late winner, after a Lawrence Shankland strike and Craig Gordon's own goal took the tie to extra-time.
Prior to their semi-final meeting with the Jambos, Aberdeen saw off Championship duo Queens Park (vanquishers of Rangers in the sixth round) and Dunfermline after defeating fellow Highlanders Elgin City earlier on in the competition.
Celtic comfortably navigated three home ties en route to an eleventh Scottish Cup semi-final in twelve seasons, eliminating Kilmarnock, Raith Rovers, and Hibernian at Parkhead to set up last month’s meeting with St. Johnstone at Hampden.
Having been made to delay their title party following a narrow loss at McDiarmid Park exactly a fortnight earlier, a vengeful Celtic put five past the Saints to cruise through to the final.
This Saturday marks the seventeenth occasion Aberdeen have featured in a Scottish Cup final, with their last appearance coming in 2017. Dons fans will be desperate not to endure the same experience they did eight years ago, having seen Celtic’s Tom Rogic net a dramatic injury-time winner.
However, for Jimmy Thelin’s men, there’s more than cup glory on the line. A victory would ensure a Europa League play-off place and therefore European football until at least Christmas, while defeat leaves Aberdeen commencing their continental journey in the second qualifying round of the Conference League.
No team in the land has won more Scottish Cups than the Bhoys, who have an opportunity to lift one of the oldest trophies in world football for a remarkable 43rd time at the weekend.
2025 Scottish Cup Final – Aberdeen vs. Celtic: key information
Date: Saturday 24th May
Kick-off: 3.00pm
Venue: Hampden Park
Referee: Don Robertson (Assistants: Ross Macleod and David Dunne, Fourth Official: Colin Steven)
VAR: Greg Aitken (Assistant VAR: Sean Carr)
TV channels: Premier Sports 2 and BBC One Scotland. The match is also available on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website.
Odds: Full-Time Result – Celtic: 1/3, Draw: 19/4, Aberdeen: 6/1
To Lift the Trophy – Celtic: 1/9, Aberdeen: 11/2
The odds, correct at the time of publication, are subject to change
Aberdeen v Celtic – team news
Both managers almost have a full complement to choose from, with only a small handful of players on either side currently sidelined. Jimmy Thelin is expected to shuffle his pack following a string of disappointing results, while Rodgers has been able to keep his big guns fresh having wrapped up the league title almost a month ago.
Aberdeen team news
Vicente Besuijen remains unavailable for selection after sustaining a serious knee injury in a 1-1 draw with St. Johnstone way back in December. The former Dutch Under-21 international has since undergone surgery, but there is no news of a return date as of yet.
Having been struggling with a shoulder issue throughout Spring, Jamie McGrath is now back to full fitness. The Irish midfielder has started two of Aberdeen’s last three fixtures, and, despite agreeing to join SPL rivals Hibs in the summer, may get the nod on Saturday.
There were some concerns surrounding Kevin Nisbet’s condition in the immediate aftermath of the Dons’ recent heavy defeat to Celtic, having picked up a knock midway through the second half. However, the Scottish marksman played 75 minutes at Tannadice last weekend and is therefore expected to be part of Jimmy Thelin’s starting XI.
It’s unclear as to whether Jack MacKenzie will be involved, after the 25-year-old full-back was struck by a chair in the immediate aftermath of Aberdeen’s defeat to Dundee United. The shocking incident left Mackenzie requiring several facial stitches.
Spurs loanee Alfie Dorrington is available for selection after serving a one-match suspension against Dundee United, although Latvian international Kristers Tobers will be hopeful of retaining his place in central defence.
Having both performed well against Celtic before dropping to the bench last Saturday, Shayden Morris and Topi Keskinen could be reinstated on Aberdeen’s flanks.
Aberdeen predicted lineup v Celtic (4-2-3-1)
Coach: Jimmy Thelin
Dimitar Mitov (GK); Richard Jensen; Alfie Dorrington; Mats Knoester; Graeme Shinnie; Ante Palaversa; Leighton Clarkson; Shayden Morris; Pape Habib Guèye; Jeppe Okkels; Kevin Nisbet
Celtic team news
Portuguese winger Jota is Celtic’s only long-term absentee, having suffered crucial ligament damage during Celtic’s title-clinching victory at the beginning of May. Joining him on the treatment table is Japanese international Reo Hatate, who felt the full effects of Pape Habib Guèye’s rash tackle following his introduction from the bench at Pittodrie last week.
Having missed several matches with a hip problem, industrious full-back Alistair Johnston returned to the starting XI for Celtic’s 1-1 draw with St. Mirren at the weekend.
Blessed with an embarrassment of riches in several positions, Brendan Rodgers has a few selection headaches to address. Either Liam Scales or Auston Trusty will partner Cameron Carter-Vickers at the back, although the Irishman currently seems the favourite to start.
There’s a question mark over who will feature in central midfield, with Luke McCowan and Paulo Bernardo both hoping to join captain Callum McGregor and Belgian youngster Arne Engels in the engine room.
Despite extending his scoring record to seventeen consecutive SPL campaigns after netting an injury-time equalizer against St. Mirren, James Forrest may have to settle for a place on the bench.
Celtic predicted lineup v Aberdeen (4-3-3)
Coach: Brendan Rodgers
Kasper Schmeichel (GK); Alistair Johnston; Cameron Carter-Vickers; Liam Scales; Greg Taylor; Arne Engels; Callum McGregor; Paulo Bernardo; Nicolas-Gerrit Kühn; Adam Idah; Daizen Maeda
Where can I watch the Scottish Cup final on TV or via live stream?
Full match coverage will be provided on both Premier Sports and BBC One Scotland, so viewers do not require a premium subscription package to catch the action. Online audiences can watch events at Hampden unfold on BBC iPlayer or the BBC Sport website, where a full match re-cap is also available once the 2025 Scottish Cup winner has been crowned.
Head-to-head record
It’s been a rollercoaster campaign for the Dons, who at one point were considered title challengers but now need a Scottish Cup triumph to help heal the wounds of a shocking mid-season decline. After recovering slightly in recent months, the Highlanders managed to win just one of their five post-split fixtures, shipping nine goals to the two Glasgow giants in the process.
Although Celtic have taken their foot off the gas a little since being declared champions of Scotland for the 55th time, the treble-chasers have protected their unbeaten run. A stalemate at Ibrox was followed up by comfortable victories over Hibs and Aberdeen, before Forrest’s late strike earned the Bhoys a point on the final day.
The two teams have already faced each other on five occasions this term. Following a 2-2 draw in Glasgow last October, Celtic have registered four wins and an eye-watering 17 goals against their cup final opponents. The heavy League Cup semi-final defeat arguably triggered Aberdeen’s demise, who endured a club record 14-match winless run soon after the Hoops dealt out a 6-0 thrashing at Hampden.
However, the Granite City outfit will be somewhat buoyed by their Scottish Cup final record against Celtic, having won three of seven contests overall. The most recent of these victories came way back in 1990, when the Dons prevailed on penalties following a goalless draw.
The pair produced a Scottish Cup classic last season, as both Aberdeen and Celtic netted three times during a pulsating 120 minutes to take the semi-final tie to penalties. Having struck a post in the shootout after surprisingly stepping up to take Celtic’s fifth spot-kick, Joe Hart saved Killian Phillips’ penalty to send the holders through.
Odds for the 2025 Scottish Cup final
Given current form and recent contests between this year’s cup finalists, it’s difficult to predict anything other than a Celtic victory on Saturday. Brendan Rodgers’ men also have considerably more big-game experience, and almost invariably find a way to win at Hampden.
Although they’ve only conceded twice in the Scottish Cup this term, Aberdeen have an unwanted habit of losing heavily to Celtic. The Dons’ poor defensive record against the champions, coupled with the menacing presence of Premiership Player of the Year Daizen Maeda, could result in a high-scoring affair.
The Japanese pace-merchant has registered seven goals in the Scottish Cup so far this season, more than any other player in the competition.
Nevertheless, Aberdeen do have enough quality to hurt Celtic, as demonstrated during last season’s thrilling Scottish Cup semi-final. Can the Dons avenge their shootout defeat and go one step further this time around?
Betting tips