CELTIC will face Hibs in the Premier Sports League Cup Final at Hampden on Sunday December 19, only six days before Christmas.
Ange Postecoglou’s side made certain of their place at Hampden when they overcame a resolute St Johnstone 1-0 yesterday, courtesy of a second-half strike by substitute James Forrest.
They had to wait until this evening to discover their opponents in the silverware summit and Hibs eased to a 3-1 victory over the Ibrox side, with new boss Giovanni van Bronckhorst sitting in the stand as a spectator.
HIB HIB HOORAY…Martin Boyle slides along the Hampden turf on his way to a first-half hat-trick.
NUMBER ONE…Martin Boyle prepares to put Hibs a goal ahead in the ninth minute.
NUMBER TWO…Martin Boyle fires in a right-foot drive with Ibrox captain James Tavernier too slow to intervene.
NUMBER THREE…Martin Boyle hammers a penalty-kick past keeper Allan McGregor to complete his trio.
Martin Boyle walloped in a spectacular first-half hat-trick to leave the Easter Road side’s opponents on their knees.
Scott Arfield threw them a lifeline before the interval, but there was no way back after the turnaround as the Edinburgh men protected keeper Matt Macey.
Now all eyes are on the national stadium next month when Bertie Auld’s presence will once again be felt on an emotional afternoon.
The Hoops legend was, of course, a player and manager of Hibs after leaving his beloved Celtic in 1971.
