The Scottish Cup 2025, Scotland’s superior football knockout opposition, is in its one hundred and fortieth season for 2024–25. Known for its wealthy records and tradition, the event brings together clubs from numerous stages of Scottish football, all vying for the coveted trophy. This season, the opposition has been rebranded as the Scottish Gas Scottish Cup, following a sponsorship settlement with Scottish Gas.
Tournament Structure and Key Dates
The 2024–25 Scottish Cup started on August nine, 2024, and could culminate with the very last on May 24, 2025. A general of 130 teams entered the opposition, starting from beginner facets to expert club. The event is dependent in numerous rounds, every introducing teams from better divisions:
Preliminary Rounds: These preliminary rounds featured teams from nearby leagues and qualifiers, narrowing the sector earlier than the access of better-tier clubs.
First Round (September 28, 2024): Teams from the Highland Football League and Lowland Football League joined the opposition.
Second Round (October 26, 2024): Clubs from Scottish League Two entered at this degree.
Third Round (November 30, 2024): Teams from Scottish League One and the Scottish Championship had been delivered.
4th Round (January 18, 2025): Scottish Premiership club entered the fray, marking the opposition’s escalation in intensity.
Fifth Round (February 8, 2025): The final 16 teams competed for an area in the quarter-finals.
Quarter-Finals (March 8, 2025): 8 teams battled for a coveted semi-very last spot.
Semi-Finals (April 19–20, 2025): The 4 final teams will compete at Hampden Park for an area in the very last.
Final (May 24, 2025): The finalists will vie for the distinguished Scottish Cup trophy at Hampden Park.
Notable Matches and Highlights
Preliminary Rounds
The opposition kicked off with initial rounds on August 9 and 10, 2024. Six teams without an SFA membership license participated, along with Beith Juniors and Bo’ness Athletic. These rounds set the stage for the primary draw, with teams keen to develop and face better-tier opposition.
First Round
The first spherical draw, hung on September 1, 2024, delivered teams from the Highland and Lowland Leagues. Matches began on September 27 and 28, 2024, providing clubs like Brechin City and Fraserburgh. These fixtures supplied interesting encounters, with lower-league teams aiming to make their mark.
Second Round
On October 29, 2024, the second one spherical draw noticed the access of Scottish League Two teams. Matches began on October 25 and 26, 2024, with clubs like Elgin City and Forfar Athletic becoming a member of the opposition. This spherical frequently witnessed carefully contested games, as teams from one-of-a-kind stages clashed.
Third Round
The 0.33 spherical, drawn on October 27, 2024, featured the creation of Scottish Championship and League One teams. Matches among November 29 and December 2, 2024, protected encounters like Airdrieonians vs. Ayr United. The access of better-tier teams introduced pleasure and unpredictability to the event.
4th Round
The 4th spherical draw on December 2, 2024, marked the access of Scottish Premiership club. Notable fixtures included a Dundee derby and Celtic dealing with Kilmarnock. These matches, held between January 17 and 20, 2025, attracted substantial attention, with top-flight teams starting their cup campaigns.
Fifth Round
The 5th spherical draw on January 20, 2025, installed exciting ties including Ayr United vs. Hibernian and Celtic vs. Raith Rovers. Matches began on February 7 and 10, 2025, with teams vying for a gap in the quarter-finals. Television insurance ensured lovers should witness the drama unfold.
Quarter-Finals
The quarter-very last draw on February 10, 2025, featured distinguished clubs like Aberdeen, Celtic, Dundee, Heart of Midlothian, Hibernian, and St Johnstone. Matches had been scheduled between March 7 and 10, 2025, with teams aiming to steady a semi-very last berth.
Semi-Finals
The semi-finals are set for April 19 and 20, 2025, at Hampden Park. The draw, carried out after the quarter-finals, will decide the matchups, with the final teams eyeing an area in the very last.
Final
The grand finale is scheduled for May 24, 2025, at Hampden Park. The finalists will compete for the esteemed Scottish Cup trophy, concluding the 2024–25 season.
Teams to Watch
Celtic
As the defending champions, Celtic entered the opposition with excessive expectations. Their adventure protected an excellent 2-0 victory over Hibernian in the quarter-finals, showcasing their rationale to preserve the title.
Rangers
Rangers, one of the most successful clubs in Scottish Cup records, entered the event with hopes of reclaiming the trophy. After a robust overall performance in the Premiership, they appeared poised to undertake Celtic and different top contenders. Their squad, reinforced with the aid of using key signings, aimed to make a deep run in the event.
Heart of Midlothian
Hearts had been under a regular pressure in the Scottish Cup in recent years. With a robust squad and a passionate fan base, they entered the opposition as cap potential darkish horses. Their victories in the early rounds showcased their dedication to attain Hampden Park as soon as again.
Aberdeen
Aberdeen, below their new management, appeared to disillusioned the conventional dominance of Celtic and Rangers. Known for his or her disciplined protective play and counter-attacking football, they posed a substantial hazard to any opponent.
Key Players in the 2024–25 Scottish Cup
Kyogo Furuhashi (Celtic)
The Japanese forward has been a critical participant for Celtic in recent seasons. His pace, movement, and completing cap potential made him one of the top strikers in the event.
James Tavernier (Rangers)
As Rangers’ captain, Tavernier’s management and attacking prowess from right-returned made him an important figure in their campaign. His cap potential to attain from set portions introduced an additional measurement to their play.
Lawrence Shankland (Heart of Midlothian)
Shankland’s goal-scoring cap potential became a key asset for Hearts. His enjoyment and completing abilities made him one of the top strikers to observe in the event.
Bojan Miovski (Aberdeen)
The North Macedonian striker supplied firepower for Aberdeen, supporting them to compete towards the top teams in the opposition.
Media Coverage and Fan Engagement
The 2024–25 Scottish Cup acquired full-size insurance throughout television, streaming structures, and social media.
BBC Scotland & Premier Sports: Life insurance of decided on suits at some stage in the tournament.
Viaplay Sports: Exclusive broadcast rights for key fixtures, which includes the semi-finals and very last.
YouTube Highlights: Match highlights and interviews made to be had for international audiences.
Social Media Interaction: Fans engaged in discussions, predictions, and stay healthy updates through structures like Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
Prize Money and European Qualification
The Scottish Cup winner mechanically qualifies for the UEFA Europa League playoff round, presenting an incentive for teams outside the standard European spots in the Premiership.
Prize cash distribution for the 2024–25 Scottish Cup:
Winners: £300,000
Runners-up: £150,000
Semi-finalists: £75,000 each
Quarter-finalists: £30,000 each
Scottish Cup fixtures 2025
As of March 10, 2025, the 2024–25 Scottish Cup has stepped forward to the quarter-very last stage. Below is a top level view of the approaching fixtures:
Quarter-Final Fixtures:
Heart of Midlothian vs. Dundee
Date: Friday, March 7, 2025
Kick-off Time: 7:45 PM
Broadcast: BBC Scotland
Queen’s Park vs. Aberdeen
Date: Saturday, March 8, 2025
Kick-off Time:3:00 PM
Broadcast: Premier Sports
Celtic vs. Hibernian
Date: Sunday, March nine, 2025
Kick-off Time:3:00 PM
Broadcast: Premier Sports
Livingston vs. St Johnstone
Date: Monday, March 10, 2025
Kick-off Time: 7:45 PM
Broadcast: BBC Scotland
Scottish Cup table
Scottish Premiership 2024–25 Standings (as of March 10, 2025):
Celtic FC: Leading the table with 68 points from 28 suits, comprising 22 wins, 2 draws, and 4 losses.
Rangers FC: In 2d area with 55 points, having 17 wins, 4 draws, and seven losses.
Heart of Midlothian: Third with 50 points, which includes 15 wins, 5 draws, and 8 losses.
Aberdeen FC: 4th function with 48 points, from 14 wins, 6 draws, and 8 losses.
Hibernian FC: Fifth with 45 points, tallying 13 wins, 6 draws, and 9 losses.
Scottish League Cup 2024–25 team Stage Standings:
team A:
Aberdeen FC: 12 points (4 wins)
Airdrieonians FC: 9 points (3 wins, 1 loss)
Queen of the South FC: 6 points (2 wins, 2 losses)
East Kilbride FC: 2 points (1 draw, 3 losses)
Dumbarton FC: 1 point (1 draw, 3 losses)
team B:
Hibernian FC: 12 points (4 wins)
Falkirk FC: 9 points (3 wins, 1 loss)
Stirling Albion FC: 6 points (2 wins, 2 losses)
Elgin City FC: 3 points (1 win, 3 losses)
Brechin City FC: 0 points (4 losses)
In summary
The 2024–25 Scottish Cup has introduced exciting moments, sudden upsets, and first rate performances. With the very last approaching, anticipation is at an all-time excessive as teams struggle for Scotland’s most prestigious football trophy.
FAQs
Who are the favorites to win the 2024–25 Scottish Cup?
Celtic and Rangers are the conventional favorites, with Hearts, Aberdeen, and Hibernian additionally taken into consideration as robust contenders.
How can I watch the Scottish Cup in 2025?
Matches can be broadcast on BBC Scotland, Viaplay Sports, and Premier Sports, with highlights to be had on YouTube.
What does the Scottish Cup winner get?
The winner receives £300,000 in prize cash and qualification for the UEFA Europa League playoff round.
Has any team outside the Premiership gained in recent years?
While Premiership teams dominate, clubs from lower divisions have every so often reached the very last, along with St. Johnstone‘s historic win in 2021.
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