Celtic vs Aberdeen. Scottish Cup Final.
Hampden ParkAttendance48,713.
Saturday 27 May 2017 15:02, UK
Moussa Dembele is fit to return to the Celtic squad for the Scottish Cup final against Aberdeen at Hampden on Saturday.
Brendan Rodgers confirmed in his pre-match news conference that the 20-year-old striker has recovered from a hamstring complaint that has kept him out since April 27 and said he "would be fine to start" against the Dons, live on Sky Sports 1.
The Celtic boss has no injury worries for the game as his side, unbeaten domestically since the start of the season, look to clinch a treble in their sixth meeting with Aberdeen this term.
"We have tried to remove the emotion of it all, as we have done for a lot of the season," Rodgers said. "We have just tried to look at the next game.
"Of course, there has been a lot of things written and said in the last few months about what the players could or couldn't achieve in terms of going the season unbeaten. I have been asked about that for the last couple of months.
"We have tried to retain our focus, that's what we have done, and it is about concentrating on what we can control and our preparation. And the players have dealt brilliantly with pressure this season.
"We are here to win and we plan to win. We plan that for every competition domestically to do that and thankfully we have been able to do that. We have earned the right to be here through our work and play."
Aberdeen have a fully-fit squad for the Scottish Cup final against Celtic on Saturday.
Ryan Christie has ended his loan spell from the Parkhead side as he is unable to play against his parent club in the final, while Jayden Stockley returns after missing the 6-0 win over Partick Thistle through suspension.
Dons boss Derek McInnes says his side will have had a "special season" if they can emerge victorious at Hampden.
"Celtic deserve a lot of credit for going through the league campaign undefeated. I think it was clear from maybe October or so that was maybe something that people started to talk about and Celtic have used that as their motivation and I think that's credit to them," he said.
"I think the level of player they have and the performances they have produced, anything other than a treble would be extremely disappointing for them.
"While we put ourselves under pressure to deliver, we have had a very good season and we will still have a very good season if we lose. But we can have a brilliant season, a season to remember, a special season, by winning this."
McInnes also said he is delighted to have a fully-fit squad to choose from ahead of the clash at the national stadium this weekend.
"We've had a few injuries over the last few weeks, we've managed to cope but I was keen for us to try and have a clean bill of health on Monday morning which we have, and a fully-fit squad which pleases me," he said. "It is amazing; a cup final gets people off the treatment table."
