It's Our Time

The 2015 Scottish Cup Final has arrived and no big Bhoys in sight, only Bairns. And, as the slogan says: It's Our Time.

Inverness and Falkirk have made it through to the final and will meet at Hampden on Saturday 30th May in what could be an historic occasion for both clubs. This competition originated in season 1873/1874 when Queens Park won the first of their 10 Scottish Cups. The first ever final was witnessed by around 2500 fans as the Spiders beat Clydesdale 2-0 at the original Hampden Park. Celtic are leading the way with 36 wins, Rangers are next on 33 with Queens Park on 10. There are some wonderful names etched on to the trophy. Vale of Leven are three times winners, Third Lanark and Renton have won it twice and St Bernard's have their name on it too.

There has been some wonderful scorelines in this, the 130th Scottish Cup, the oldest football trophy in the world. Bo'ness United beat Elgin City 5-4 in their replay after drawing 4-4 at Borough Briggs. It took 25 penalties to separate Stirling Albion and Hurlford after a 1-1 and 2-2 draw. Cove Rangers were the top scorers in a single game, beating Hawick Royal Albert 9-0. Spartans made the fifth round after beating Morton 2-1 to be the last non league side in the competition. It's been a wonderful tournament so far, but my favourite result thus far was Inverness 3-2 Celtic. A stunning performance by Inverness who stopped Celtic in their bid for a treble and gave us all a break from the hype coming out of Parkhead.

Of course, it's not the first time that Falkirk have been in the Scottish Cup final. They won the cup in 1913 at Parkhead, defeating near neighbours and good enemies Raith Rovers 2-0. They were managed by Willie Nicol on that occasion. Englishman Reg Smith was the gaffer when they won it for a second time in 1957 at Hampden Park, beating Kilmarnock 2-1 after a replay and have been losing finalists twice, in 1997 and 2009. Both of these defeats were only by a solitary goal which shows that Falkirk will be well up for this. Write them off at your peril.

We know enough about Falkirk to understand that this will be a tough task. Oh yes, it was Falkirk that put the final nail in our coffin in the year that Craig Brewster took us to the brink of relegation before he was removed from office. And who was the man that masterminded our downfall? Yes, you've guessed it, none other than our very own John Hughes, and he will know better than most that the Bairns will be just as determined as Inverness to take the cup back to their big wheel instead of a bridge and a castle.

Inverness have taken out three Premiership sides in St Mirren, Partick Thistle and Celtic whilst they also accounted for Raith Rovers. Falkirk have quietly worked their way to the final by knocking out teams from outwith the top league. They started by seeing off Cowdenbeath by a single goal when Inverness were drawing with St Mirren at Paisley before taking them North and dismantling them 4-0. In the fifth round, Falkirk edged past Brechin City by the odd goal in three as Inverness beat bogey side Partick Thistle 1-2 in Glasgow. The quarter finals saw Falkirk win 0-1 at Palmerston and Inverness oust Raith Rovers by the same score in the Highlands. The semi-finals were more interesting. Hibs gave Falkirk the runaround but were hit with a sucker punch as Craig Sibbald headed them into the final. The following day Inverness did the treble as they knocked Celtic out of the cup for the third time. Goals from Tansey, Ofere and Raven put Inverness through after extra-time, but defender Josh Meekings had a big hand in that result.

Falkirk have been on gardening leave for the last month, but we have been busy securing third place in the league. Three wins on the trot was enough to get us to Europe. Our final practice before the final was at Parkhead last week and we thank Celtic for providing the opposition for our reserves.

What do we know about Falkirk this season? Well, we do know that Falkirk have a local lad playing for them just now. Alex Cooper, who comes from North Kessock is in their squad and has scored against Inverness before when playing for Ross County. Alex is the son of former County manager Neale Cooper and can be a tricky customer. Rory Loy has been grabbing the headlines this season and will be joining Dundee after this game. He has scored 12 goals this term, but has been injured recently although Peter Houston reckons he will play some part in the final. Keeper Jamie Macdonald is an excellent stopper and he played for Hearts when Inverness knocked them out of last seasons League Cup semi-final. Mark Kerr has a wealth of experience to call on having been at Dundee United and Aberdeen amongst others. The Bairns ended their season fifth in the Championship, missing out on the play offs by seven points. They managed 53 points from their 36 games and finished the season with a zero goal difference. Fourteen wins and eleven defeats and 48 goals scored is the Bairns' stats.

Peter Houston was in the stands watching the game against Celtic where the Hoops beat our second X1 5-0. He would not have learned much from that as only three of those that started that game are likely to begin the final.  Gary Warren is suspended due to that archaic rule that tally's up your yellow cards then bans you from the showpiece final. Ridiculous rule that surely needs to be addressed. Gary missed the League Cup final last season through suspension as well.

Dean Brill and Richie Foran will be watching from the stands along with Gary Warren, but Yogi will have a full squad to choose from otherwise. Let's not forget, this will be captain Graeme Shinnie's last game for Inverness, and lifting the trophy would be a fitting end to a wonderful time here.

Falkirk have been well rested prior to this game. John Baird is cup-tied and the striker will not be included in the squad, likewise Mark Kerr, both will be missed by the Falkirk side. Rory Loy could feature as Houston has already stated.

There's always a downside to these events, and news that Willie Collum will referee the final is as welcome as FIFA executives organising the World Cup. Ach well, somebody has to do it.

The Bookies have Inverness as favourites to lift the cup. That's not often something that sits well with us. I thought I would ask a couple of experts to see which team they thought would get their ribbons on the Scottish Cup, and here's what Steven Hislop and Bobby Mann had to say.

"First of all, I would just like to say that I was delighted to be asked to do a short preview on the Cup Final. I am heading to the game with my son and dad who have both watched me many times playing for Inverness Caley Thistle.

Understandably, we are favourites to win this game, however, I don't think it is a gimme. Falkirk have a real blend of experience and youth and are managed by a Scottish Cup winner who knows what it takes to win a cup final. The spine of their team with MacDonald, McCraken, Taiwo and Rory Loy if he is fit will all help the young ones around them. Of course they also have Alex Cooper who will be doubly determined to try and put one over Caley for obvious reasons.

Yogi will have all the boys well drilled on Falkirk and he also has players with cup final experience in abundance. He has winners throughout and if ever you want someone to fire you up for a game, it's 100% Yogi. I find it hard to pick out any of the team who could potentially be the biggest threat to Falkirk because if they play like they played in the semi-final, I have no doubt it will be Shinnie who goes up to lift the cup. Caley are a team with a great team spirit and the correct work ethic and not a team of individuals and that's why they will win the cup and send the fans home in party mood.

Look out the sombrero's as Caley are going to Europe with a 3-1 win.

Cheers, Hissy".

Bobby was more direct, and added, "I would like it to be an open attacking game, but can't see it. Midfield will be very important, and who wins that battle in there will go on and be dominant in the game. That's when Inverness play well, as both full backs are good going forward especially Graeme Shinnie.

Hopefully the big wide pitch will give them more space to create and cause more problems.

I'm going for 2-0 for Inverness.

Enjoy the game "

So both of these club legends believe Inverness will be the ones that will be celebrating on Saturday night, I hope they are right.

Anyway, no matter who wins, this final will have been played out with no bigotry, hatred or sectarianism evident and that can only be a good thing for Scottish football. All the best to Falkirk, but it is our time.

The City of Inverness has been motivated by this game and has helped to raise the profile of the club by draping anything that doesn't move in Caley Thistle colours. The Cup has been out and about in and around the City and it would be nice to keep it up here for a whole year.

Red Card Riley has managed to get this montage of messages put together from old and new friends. 

And from the City of Inverness comes goodwill.................................

Here's a song from Sandy...........
 

It's called Scenes of Red and Blue, let's hope there is scenes of red and blue in Inverness at the weekend.