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May 26, 2013 at 3pm UK
 
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Live Commentary: Scottish Cup final: Hibernian 0-3 Celtic - as it happened

Live coverage of the Scottish Cup final between Hibernian and Celtic at Hampden Park.
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Celtic have won the Scottish Cup after they recorded a 3-0 victory over Hibernian at Hampden Park.

Hibs started brightly, but Gary Hooper handed Celtic the lead after eight minutes, before scoring his second before half-time.

The Hoops remained in control after the break, and Joe Ledley sealed the win with 12 minutes remaining.

This afternoon's win is the 36th time that Celtic have tasted success in this competition, while Hibernian's wait to lift the trophy continues for another year.

Read below to see how the action unfolded.


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Hello, and welcome to Sports Mole's live coverage of the Scottish Cup final between Hibernian and Celtic.

We are less than 30 minutes away from kickoff at Hampden Park, so I won't hang about in bringing you today's team news.

HIBERNIAN XI: Williams; Maybury, Forster, Hanlon, McGivern; Harris, Taiwo, Claros, Thomson; Doyle, Griffiths

HIBERNIAN SUBS: Murdoch, Stevenson, Caldwell, Handling, Robertson

CELTIC XI: Forster; Lustig, Wilson, Mulgrew, Izaguirre; Commons, Brown, Ledley, Forrest; Stokes, Hooper

CELTIC SUBS: Zaluksa, Ambrose, Samaras, Rogic, McCourt

There was some doubt over the fitness of Hibs striker Leigh Griffiths, but he has recovered to lead the line this afternoon. As for Celtic, Victor Wanyama and Beram Kayal are missing through suspension, while manager Neil Lennon hands a start to Anthony Stokes over Georgios Samaras.

Celtic are regarded as huge favourites to come out on top this afternoon, but Hibernian will want to re-write history. They haven't won this competition since 1902, while they were also handed a 5-1 defeat to rivals Hearts in last year's showpiece.

We are less than 15 minutes until kickoff, so let's hear what the two managers have to say ahead of today's match.

Celtic boss Neil Lennon has been impressed with his team's application since winning the SPL title by a massive 16 points, and he believes that his side are "in the mood" to dominate the Edinburgh-based outfit.

However, his opposite number Pat Fenlon has insisted that his team will be prepared for the battle after coming back from 3-0 to beat Falkirk 4-3 after extra-time in their semi-final fixture.

Both sides have been in impressive form in recent weeks. Celtic have won their last two fixtures 4-0, while Hibs are unbeaten in their last six, since suffering a 3-0 defeat to Celtic at the beginning of April.

We are just moments away from kickoff now, although we might not commence until a few minutes past 3pm, because the teams are still in the tunnel.

The players are now making their way out onto the Hampden turf to a sea of green and white.

Celtic get us underway.

Well that was a tad ambitious from Leigh Griffiths. The striker is out on the left touchline but he tries a shot, which drifts over Fraser Forster's goal.

There is a lot of smoke drifting across Hampden Park at the moment, but it shouldn't cause any stoppage in play. Corner to Hibs.

SHOT! After the first corner of the match is headed clear, Tom Taiwo volleys marginally over from 20 yards.

CHANCE! This has been a very positive start from the underdogs, and they could easily be ahead. A cross comes into the box, and Eoin Doyle's header from eight yards forces Fraser Forster into a stunning save.

GOAL! Hibernian 0-1 Celtic (Hooper)

What was I saying? Celtic go straight up the other end and take the lead through Gary Hooper. A perfectly-weighted cross found the frontman at the back post and he neatly volleyed the ball into the net.

That's a massive blow to Hibs. They were beginning to look confident, but it will be interesting to see how they react to falling behind.

As soon as Hibs get the ball, the Celtic players are applying pressure straight away, and the frustration is already starting to show. Anthony Stokes tries with a volley across the box, but his effort is blocked by his own player.

A glimmer of a chance for Eoin Doyle inside the Celtic penalty area, but he fails to control the ball and the Hoops defence clear.

Celtic are having some success with the long ball. Gary Hooper looks to have the pace to get behind the Hibernian backline, and it is keeping goalkeeper Ben Williams on his toes.

We are almost 20 minutes into the match, and Celtic are bossing possession, holding a 62% share. There was also a bit of a scare for Hibs when Leigh Griffiths went down clutching his ankle, but he is back on his feet.

CHANCE! Gary Hooper releases Anthony Stokes down the left, but after advancing into the penalty area, he drives his left-footed effort into the side netting.

There has hardly been a rash challenge in the opening 25 minutes, but Jorge Claros has just gone straight through Kris Commons. He was very lucky to avoid a booking.

CHANCE! It really should be 2-0 to Celtic. Kris Commons plays a wonderfully-flighted ball through to Joe Ledley, but on the turn, he fires his shot straight at Ben Williams.

GOAL! Hibernian 0-2 Celtic (Hooper)

We are only a third of the way through this match, but that could be game over. Anthony Stokes gained possession of the ball out of the left-hand side, and his cross finds Gary Hooper, who heads home from six yards for his 31st goal of the season.

It is going from bad to worse for Leigh Griffiths. He is really struggling and it looks inevitable that he will be withdrawn from the action in the next few minutes. He is currently receiving treatment.

It's imperative that Hibs don't fall further behind before the break, but Celtic are making it tough for them by remaining on the offensive. Kris Commons is the next player to try his luck, but his volley goes wide of the far post.

CHANCE! Leigh Griffiths is back up, and he is unlucky not to reduce the deficit. He reacts quickest to a long ball, but after advancing past the goalkeeper, the angle is too tight and his shot goes straight across goal.

Hibs force a corner with less than five minutes of the first half remaining. It would give them a massive lift if they could force a goal before the break.

The corner is a dangerous one, but it is headed clear, before Kevin Thomson lashes a volley harmlessly wide of the target.

There will be one minute of added-on time.

HALF-TIME: Hibernian 0-2 Celtic

Two goals from Gary Hooper have handed Celtic a deserved lead at half-time, but while the deficit remains only two, Hibs remain competitive in this match.

You feel that the fitness of Leigh Griffiths is key to their hopes in the second half. He has looked to be carrying a niggle throughout the opening 45 minutes, but his burst of pace that nearly brought him a goal near the end of the half suggested that he will be able to continue.

Here are a few stats for you. The shot count is pretty close, with Celtic leading by six efforts to five, while they have also found the target on more occasions than Hibs. However, Hibs have closed the gap in terms of possession, with Celtic now having just 6% more of the possession rather than 26% more earlier in the match.

The players are beginning to make their way back out onto the pitch. You would expect a fast start from Pat Fenlon's side, who must be targeting some early momentum to keep Celtic on the back foot.

Hibs get the second half underway.

Hibernian are soon on the attack, but they are leaving gaps at the back, which Kris Commons exploits, but his cross can't find a teammate.

The Hibs fans are quite vocal at the start of the second half, and their team are going to need all of their support if they are to get back into this. They nearly fall further behind, though, but James Forrest fails to get his shot away from 10 yards out. Anthony Stokes then sends a 25-yard effort wide of the post.

BOOKING! That's the first yellow card of the game, and it is for Hibernian midfielder Jorge Claros for a late challenge on Scott Brown. Brown didn't look too pleased with the tackle, and he too has been booked for his reaction.

Leigh Griffiths has struggled to get involved since the restart, but he does look to be moving a lot more freely. However, he is the next player into the referee's notebook for a mis-timed tackle.

With an hour gone, you would expect that Pat Fenlon is contemplating making a change. Just as I said that, Ross Caldwell looks to be getting ready to come on.

CHANCE! Gary Hooper looks eager to claim his hat-trick, but he fails to do so on this occasion, chipping the ball over the crossbar from just inside the box.

It has all gone a bit flat for Hibs right now. Celtic are beginning to impose their class on the ball, which is preventing Hibs from getting any passes together within 40 yards of Celtic's goal.

Ross Caldwell was stripped and ready to be introduced almost 10 minutes ago, but he still hasn't made it onto the pitch. Meanwhile, Jorge Claros is involved in a heated exchange with Anthony Stokes, but it soon calms down.

SUBSTITUTION! Hibernian finally make their first change of the match, bringing on Danny Handling for Eoin Doyle.

This is a bit better from Hibs, who has a sustained spell of possession before forcing a corner. Meanwhile, Celtic have introduced Georgios Samaras for Kris Commons, with Ross Caldwell replacing Kevin Thomson for Hibs.

GOAL! Hibernian 0-3 Celtic (Ledley)

Game, set and match. A superb turn from Anthony Stokes starts a fantastic move, and although Gary Hooper scuffs an effort for his hat-trick, Joe Ledley is on hand to fire the ball into the top corner from 10 yards.

SUBSTITUTION! Neil Lennon takes the opportunity to replace Scott Brown with Efe Ambrose.

That's the end of Leigh Griffiths for this afternoon, his decision to ask to be withdrawn probably made easier by that third goal. He will be replaced by Lewis Stevenson.

Someone is already engraving Celtic's name onto the trophy. Imagine if Hibs fought back? They are still plugging away, but Celtic look comfortable.

SUBSTITUTION! Celtic make their final substitution of the afternoon, bringing on Paddy McCourt for James Forrest.

That's slightly selfish from Anthony Stokes, but who can blame him for trying his luck with a speculative effort now that the game has been won. He has played a big part in Celtic's success today, and will be close to picking up the man of the match award. Two minutes of added-on time remaining.

CELTIC WIN THE SCOTTISH CUP!

Celtic are the Scottish Cup champions, after a comprehensive 3-0 victory over Hibernian. After a slow start, the Hoops soon displayed their superiority and they deserve their win.

As for Hibs, their 111-year wait for success in this competition continues, but despite a valiant effort, they can have no complaints with the result.

The Hibernian players have received their medals for their efforts today, with Celtic due to walk up the Hampden Park steps to collect the trophy imminently.

Captain Scott Brown lifts the trophy, which is the 36th occasion that the Glasgow giants have lifted the trophy in their history.

That's all from Sports Mole this afternoon. Thank you for following the game with us this afternoon. Goodbye for now.

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General view of Hampden Park, dated April 15, 2012
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6Hibernian30911104145-438
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