Ahead of the Scottish Gas Scottish Cup Finals weekend, Scottish Gas has revealed a carbon-absorbing mural at Hampden Park, celebrating 150 years of the country’s oldest and most loved football competition.
And ‘Sir’ David Gray’s last minute winner in 2016 plays a prominent part.
The striking homage to the men’s and women’s competitions, designed by Glasgow-based artist Molly Hankinson, is inspired by the football community’s favourite Scottish Cup moments, following a national vote carried out by the Scottish FA.
The artwork, which sits above the main entrance to Hampden Park, was created using special carbon-absorbing paint, designed to remove CO2 from the air and convert it into harmless compounds.
This innovative way of reducing the stadium’s carbon footprint will enhance the atmosphere around a busy Finals weekend, as tens of thousands of fans make their way to the home of Scottish football.
Players and managers from all four Cup Finalists were speaking at the unveiling:
Celtic Men’s Manager Brendan Rodgers said: “The Scottish Gas Scottish Cup has an incredible 150-year history with so many amazing moments, so it’s great to see them celebrated above the entrance at Hampden Park.”
Rangers Women’s Captain, Nicola Docherty said: “It’s brilliant that Clare Shine is featured on the mural – I was on the pitch that day and it was an unbelievable match. Hopefully we can now make history for Rangers this weekend.”
Rangers Men’s Manager Philippe Clement said: “Peter Lovenkrands’ last-minute winner in 2002 was a special moment for our fans and winning the Cup Final creates amazing memories.”
Hearts Women’s Manager Eva Olid said: It’s really inspiring to see the mural depict iconic moments from the women’s competition and it would mean everything to us if we could lift the trophy on Sunday.”
Scottish Gas has teamed up with the Scottish FA to supercharge grassroots football participation in communities across the country this season by funding 120 free football camps and 48 PARA Football Festivals. The free football provision includes working with clubs across Scotland to create the required playing conditions to engage over 1,000 disabled participants.
This weekend’s Scottish Gas Scottish Cup Finals will see half of the player mascots selected from Scotland’s PARA football community. This will be the first time a sponsor has created equal representation for disabled participants at the Finals.
Chris O’Shea, Chief Executive of Centrica, owner of Scottish Gas, said: “The Scottish Gas Scottish Cup has a rich history for every football fan in the country and we’re honoured to be able celebrate some of the best moments from the last 150 years ahead of the first ever joint men’s and women’s Finals weekend.”
“Throughout the season we’ve worked with the SFA to supercharge grassroots football and make the beautiful game more accessible than ever. The Finals give us a great opportunity to celebrate inclusivity with half of all mascot spaces being selected from the PARA community – the Scottish Gas Scottish Cups and more generally football is for everyone.”
Men’s top moments
1. Hibernian’s last-minute winner against Rangers in 2016
2. Tom Rogic scoring for Celtic in 2017 to complete an invincible treble
3. Heart of Midlothian defeating Hibernian 5-1 in 2012
4. Peter Lovenkrands scores last minute winner vs Celtic in 2002
Women’s top moments
1. Stewarton Thistle win the first two Women’s Scottish Cup competitions in 1972 and 1971
2. Glasgow City secure a record 9th Cup win in 2019
3. Celtic lift the trophy as Hampden hosts the Women’s Scottish Cup Final for the first time in 2023
4. Hibernian beat Motherwell 8-0 in the 2018 Final
John graduated from Telford College in 2010 with an HNC in Practical Journalism and since then he worked for the North Edinburgh News, The Southern Reporter, the Irish News Review and The Edinburgh Reporter. In addition he has been published in the Edinburgh Evening News and the Hibernian FC Programme.
