Three key clashes that will decide the Scottish Cup final

Ewing Graham looks at where tomorrow's match between Hibs and Rangers will be won and lost.

Martyn Waghorn will look to get the better of Paul Hanlon. Picture: SNS

DANNY WILSON V JASON CUMMINGS

The defender was just 17 when he won a Scottish Cup winner’s medal with Rangers in 2009 without kicking a ball but he’s likely to have a more arduous afternoon this time round against an opponent capable of exploiting his lack of pace.

Cummings relishes the prospect of facing the Glasgow giants. The 20-year-old is a big-game player who has scored in four Edinburgh derbies since making his breakthrough two seasons ago. Tellingly, though, he’s scored more goals against Rangers than he has against any other club.

ANDY HALLIDAY V JOHN MCGINN

Halliday has had an impressive first season at Ibrox and the combative midfielder’s stock rose following Rangers’ semi-final victory over Celtic, at the end of which he had to remove Scott Brown from his back pocket.

McGinn, as he already knows, is likely to be a more mobile and aggressive rival at Hampden than the injury-ravaged Scotland captain proved to be. The 20-year-old has broken into the Scotland set-up this season and his energy and ability will take him, if not Hibs, out of the second tier.

MARTYN WAGHORN V PAUL HANLON

Ex-Wigan striker Waghorn, pictured, has had only 60 minutes of competitive action since scoring the last of his 28 goals this season in Rangers’ 2-1 win at Kilmarnock in the Scottish Cup fifth round replay on 16 February. Ring-rustiness could be a factor but, with 11 successful penalty conversions to his name, Hibs’ defenders can’t dive in.

Waghorn has three goals in four games against Hibs this season but Hanlon is a threat in his own right, having headed home the winner between the sides at Easter Road in November. The 26-year-old’s contract is about to expire and he’ll hope to seal a new deal by helping his club lift the trophy.