Hartley up for Hampden cup cheer

By Julian Taylor

Hartley says Hampden has been a happy venue in his playing career

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

Celtic midfielder Paul Hartley is in positive mood ahead of the Scottish Cup final against Dunfermline at Hampden.

The Scotland international is close to winning the trophy in successive seasons, having helped Hearts to victory last year against Gretna.

He told BBC Sport: "The last couple of seasons in the Scottish Cup have been really kind to me.

"It was a great feeling to win the cup with Hearts, so obviously I'd love a repeat of that experience with Celtic."

The midfielder, a £1.1m signing in January from the Edinburgh side, has already collected a Scottish Premier League championship medal, and believes everyone in the Celtic squad is hungry for more silverware.

The fans in Scotland think bigger when it comes to the cup Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink

"The mood has always been good in the camp and the whole place is upbeat.

"We know what's at stake on Saturday and we realise we'll have to work hard as teams always want to beat Celtic.

"Playing at Hampden is always a big occasion as you're only ever there for semi-finals and finals at club level, so they're always special games to play in," added the 30-year-old.

"It feels really good for me personally, as I've lost semi-finals before with both Hearts and Hibs, but in the last couple of seasons Hampden has been a happy venue for me."

Meanwhile, Hartley's team-mate, Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink - who netted in the 2-1 semi-final victory over St Johnstone - is looking forward to sampling a special occasion.

Vennegoor of Hesselink has been capped six times for Holland

"Playing in the Scottish Cup final should be a fantastic experience for me," said the Dutch international striker, who has scored 18 goals this season.

"The main difference is that it's definitely a more glamourous competition in Scotland than Holland.

"There is a great deal more tradition attached to winning the cup here, especially at a stadium like Hampden Park.

"The fans in Scotland think bigger when it comes to the cup - they know it's a major trophy to be won, so we'll be ready to do our best."

Vennegoor of Hesselink won the domestic double with former club PSV Eindhoven in 2005.