GLASGOW CITY head coach Scott Booth is predicting another thriller when his side meet Hibs Ladies in the final of the Scottish Cup at Ainslie Park on Sunday.
With the game being shown live on BBC Alba, and the highlights on Sportscene later in the evening, a repeat of the previous games between the clubs this season would go down well with viewers. Two of the league games ended in 3-3 draws and the League Cup final between the teams required extra time before City won 2-1.
"The games this season between ourselves and Hibs have been great," Booth confirmed. "We know the final is going to be another tough one."
Despite only having been in the post for four months, the former Aberdeen, Borussia Dortmund and Scotland striker is hoping to land his second trophy. He has no new injury worries ahead of a game which could see his club notch a fourth successive treble and five Scottish Cups on the bounce.
The procession of trophies won by City in recent years has been a problem for the image of women's football, but Hibs captain Joelle Murray is hopeful that can be put to rest at Ainslie Park. It is unusual for a Scottish Cup final to be held in Edinburgh and she is appealing to the club's supporters to get behind her team.
"I went to the [men's] League Cup quarter-final against Dundee United on Wednesday night with my dad," she said. "As in previous games, there was a double-page spread on us in the programme and also e-boards around the pitch had advertisements for the final.
"The exposure the club is giving us is increasing all the time and we've had growing support from Hibs fans on social media. I hope they will turn up for the final as well, as it's only a short journey to Ainslie Park for many Hibees."
The 28-year-old is almost unique amongst her team-mates in that she can remember what it is like to win trophies. She was a member of the Hibs side which last lifted the Scottish Cup in 2010, and had previously experienced the winning feeling in 2005, 2007 and 2008.
"Hopefully we can do it this time," the central defender said. "When I first joined Hibs, we had a spell the same as City are having now, when we won everything.
"For those of us who have experienced City's dominance, it would be huge to beat them. I feel we've broken down the mental barriers that may have been there in previous seasons.
"The gap is getting closer, and beating City with this group of players would be very pleasing."
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