Caldwell wants Celtic cup glory

By Julian Taylor

Caldwell has enjoyed his first season with Celtic

Scottish Cup final
Date: Saturday, 26 May
Kick-off: 1500 BST
Venue: Hampden Park, Glasgow
Watch: BBC One Scotland
Listen: BBC Radio Scotland & BBC Radio Five Live
Updates: BBC Sport website and mobile

Gary Caldwell is looking to seal a special debut season with Celtic - by adding the Scottish Cup to his Premier League winners medal.

The Scotland defender is relishing the prospect of opposing relegated Dunfermline Athletic at Hampden with Gordon Strachan's side hot favourites.

He said: "Cup finals are the kind of games we all want to play in at Celtic, but facing Dunfermline won't be easy.

"I came to Celtic to win trophies and it would be great to win the Double."

News conference: Celtic striker Kenny Miller

Interview: Celtic defender Stephen McManus

The 25-year-old has been a versatile figure for the Glasgow club since his arrival from Hibernian in July 2006, playing in central defence, midfield and at right-back.

We're always under pressure to win every week - it's been a long season Gary Caldwell

And even though he feels he is a natural at centre-half, he told BBC Sport he is more than happy to turn out wherever required.

"I've been pleased with my contribution this season even though I was out injured for a while," he said.

"It can be difficult to get back to fitness, but I'm back now and I'm pretty happy with how I'm doing," he added.

"It's hard to play at right back at times but if the manager thinks I can do a job there, then that's his decision and I'll do the best I can.

"I've played there before at Coventry, and although I'll never be the best in the world, but if can do a good job for the team I'll be happy with that."

The newly-relegated Fifers arrive at Hampden with nothing to lose, and Caldwell is mindful of the pressure on the Hoops.

"Sometimes people assume you're going to win these kinds of games 8-0, but football is certainly not like that," he continued.

'Pressure'

"We'll be expected to win and it's a similar situation to the semi-final (v St Johnstone) where the pressure was on us to beat a First Division team, and to be fair to them they really pushed us hard.

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"We're always under pressure to win every week - it's been a long season.

"We've done that for much of the season and ground out results when we've played poorly.

"We have Shunsuke Nakamura, he's got fantastic ability and he has the ability to come up with something special, so hopefully he can do the same on Saturday.

"The final is always the showpiece of the season, and to win the cup and be part of a Double-winning side would be a fantastic achievement."