The 2021 Scottish Cup final was the 136th final of the Scottish Cup and the final of the 2020–21 Scottish Cup, the most prestigious knockout football competition in Scotland. The match was played on 22 May 2021 at Hampden Park, Glasgow. St Johnstone completed a cup double by winning it.[1]
In the fourth round they were drawn against League One club Clyde at home. Early goals from Melamed and Michael O'Halloran gave Saints a comfortable 2–0 win.[3]
The quarter-final saw the team travel to Ibrox Stadium for a match against league championsRangers.[4] A goalless 90 minutes forced the match into extra-time. James Tavernier appeared to have won the tie for Rangers with a goal late in the second half of extra time, but St Johnstone forced a penalty shootout by equalising during added-on time at the end of extra time.[4] Their goal was scored after a header by goalkeeper Clark, who had come forward for a corner kick, was redirected into the goal by striker Chris Kane.[4] Clark then saved two Rangers penalties in the shootout, which Saints won 4–2.[4]
St Johnstone were then paired with Premiership club St Mirren in the semi-finals. After a goalless first half, Chris Kane and a Glenn Middleton free-kick gave the Perth side a 2–0 lead midway through the second half. Despite a header from Conor McCarthy pulling a goal back for the Paisley side, St Johnstone held on to win 2–1.[5]
As another Premiership side, Hibernian started in the third round of the Scottish Cup. In that round they played at Championship side Queen of the South. Goals from Christian Doidge (2) and Martin Boyle gave Hibs a 3–1 victory, with James Maxwell scoring a consolation goal for Queens.[6]
Hibs were drawn away again in the fourth round, against League Two side Stranraer. Goals from Doidge, Kevin Nisbet and Boyle (2) gave Hibs a 4–0 victory[7]
The quarter finals had Hibernian drawn at home (Easter Road) with Premiership side Motherwell. Second half goals from Doidge and Jackson Irvine gave Hibs a 2–0 lead, but late goals by Ricki Lamie and Tony Watt forced extra time. The additional period finished goalless, forcing a penalty shootout that Hibs won 4–2.[8]
This meant they took on Dundee United in the semi-final at Hampden Park. Goals from Nisbet and Doidge, the latter of which was scored from an offside position, gave Hibs a 2–0 win.[9]
Background
Hosting
The final had been originally scheduled for 8 May 2021, but was delayed to 22 May due to rescheduling of earlier rounds caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.[10] The pandemic and building works ahead of the Euro 2020 tournament led to the Scottish FA initially stating that spectators would not be allowed into Hampden, control of which is being passed to UEFA on 14 May for Euro 2020.[11][12]Aberdeen chairman Dave Cormack told BBC Scotland on 10 May that he would make their Pittodrie Stadium available for the final, as it could admit at least 500 fans.[11]Rangers, Celtic, Hearts and the Scottish Rugby Union had earlier rejected approaches from the Scottish FA for the use of their stadiums.[13] On 11 May it was reported that UEFA had accepted a request from the Scottish FA to admit fans to Hampden.[12]Scottish Government rules regarding the pandemic for areas in Level 2 mean that permission would be needed for any crowd in excess of 500.[12] 600 fans were initially permitted,[14] but this decision was reversed after the government decided to keep Glasgow in Level 3.[15]
Going into the 2021 final, St Johnstone had won the Scottish Cup once in their only previous appearance in a final (2014).[17] Hibernian had won the Scottish Cup three times from 14 appearances in the final.[17] Their most recent victory and appearance in the final was in 2016.[17] It was the first meeting of the clubs in a Scottish Cup Final.[17]
Match
Summary
In the 32nd minute David Wotherspoon crossed from the left to the far post where Shaun Rooney headed to the left corner of the net from five yards out for the only goal of the match.
With fifteen minutes to go Hibernian's Paul McGinn brought down Chris Kane in the penalty area, but goalkeeper Matt Macey saved the penalty from Glenn Middleton and the follow-up from Chris Kane.[18][19]
Maximum of five substitutions in normal time (a sixth substitute is permitted in extra time)
Media coverage
BBC Scotland and Premier Sports obtained the rights to broadcast the final, in what is the third season of a six-year deal in the United Kingdom to broadcast Scottish Cup matches.[20]
^"Access list 2021–24"(PDF). UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. Archived(PDF) from the original on 4 December 2018. Retrieved 3 April 2021.
