Inverness CT have a £5m incentive to beat Celtic in today’s Scottish Cup Final

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While Celtic are undoubtedly favourites to win today’s Scottish Cup Final, it should be noted that for Inverness Caledonian Thistle, the match holds meaning on multiple levels. They’re going to scratch and claw their way through the 90 minutes looking for a route to victory.

Not only would a win later deliver just the second Scottish Cup in the club’s history, but with it comes a financial incentive that might only come along once in a generation for the Highland side.

Lifting the trophy would have the side effect of them entering the UEFA Europa League qualifying process as Scotland’s highest-ranked side, meaning they would be at the very least guaranteed group-stage football in the UEFA Europa Conference League.

Inverness CT CEO Scot Gardiner confirmed it is on their minds this week, telling The Inverness Courier: “Beating Celtic and qualifying for European football, that would be a game-changer. Qualification for Europe brings a guaranteed minimum of €4 million (almost £3.5 million) before you even sell a match ticket or broadcasting rights.

“We would play a two-leg Europa League qualifier with the winners gaining six Europa League group stage matches and the losers dropping into the European Conference League for six group games. Celtic, if they win, are in the Champions League in any case. If we win, it’s a life-changing number for us.”

There is no European prize in the event of a defeat, the Europa League placing would default to the highest-placed Premiership side outwith the Champions League places – which is Aberdeen.

Of course, some will argue the glory of a cup win is motivation enough – but this kind of cash could alter the direction of their football club. There’s no doubt it’s a strong extra incentive.

And that’s why Celtic need to be at their best today. There’s no room for complacency at Hampden and Ange Postecoglou’s side must start on the front foot. If we let this one get tense and nervy, absolutely anything could happen.

Let’s hope we’re all talking about a treble and not Inverness’ new riches.

In other news, Kyogo question mark, big defensive call; Celtic Predicted XI for Scottish Cup Final.