Inverness star gets his Celtic Scottish Cup wish as he names the shock factor which gives them puncher's chance

Aaron Doran insists Inverness have a care-free punchers chance of repeating their 2015 Hampden heroics over Celtic.

The Irishman helped the Highlanders book a Scottish Cup Final spot against the Hoops with a weekend defeat of Falkirk. It has lined up a meeting which triggers memories of a semi-final eight years ago between the two clubs which saw David Raven net an extra-time winner. Inverness would go on and lift the trophy and Doran revealed he was granted his wish with Ange Postecoglou and Co’s Old Firm success over Rangers.

He said: “My preference would have been to face Celtic, to get back to Hampden against them and try and create some special memories against them again. If something like that could happen again it would be perfect. Obviously they are the best team in Scotland and they are flying high at the moment. It will be tough but it will be great to play against them.

“We have done well against the Old Firm and we managed to beat Rangers when they were in the Championship. So I’ve experienced wins over both clubs. We just want to enjoy ourselves as this is a free hit for us in the final really.”

The 31-year-old is only one of two remaining survivors of that 2015 triumph alongside Raven and believes this season’s run to the final has ensured a final win would eclipse anything that has gone before.

He said: “This is probably bigger. To knock out two Premiership clubs in the last two rounds and beat a good Falkirk side has been terrific. Nobody would have expected either of the clubs to reach the last four.

“We just need to keep our heads up and see how the final goes. Celtic are a massive club but we will use that free hit by going out and trying to express ourselves.”