Reason behind unusual Scottish Cup trophy presentation after Celtic victory revealed

Celtic’s Scottish Cup celebrations may have been full of joy, but many supporters quickly noticed one major change to the traditional trophy presentation at Hampden Park.

Rather than climbing the iconic steps to lift the trophy — a long-standing custom stretching back decades — captain Callum McGregor and his teammates celebrated on a podium placed directly on the pitch. The change sparked debate among supporters, with some questioning why tradition had been abandoned.

A clearer explanation has now emerged regarding the decision to alter the trophy lift setup.

According to reports from the Daily Record, Celtic’s players played a significant role in prompting the change. With modern squads now considerably larger, organisers felt there was not enough room for every member of the team to gather comfortably on the narrow staircase during the celebrations.

There were also concerns over visibility. Fans inside Hampden often struggle to properly see trophy celebrations taking place on the steps, particularly when players are arranged in a single-file queue. By moving the presentation onto the pitch, celebrations became easier for supporters in the stadium to enjoy while also improving the viewing experience for television broadcasters.

For many traditionalists, however, the strongest argument for keeping the old format was simply history and sentiment. Given the Scottish Cup’s status as the oldest trophy competition in professional football, preserving long-standing customs carries importance for many supporters.

This is not the first time football authorities in Scotland have moved away from tradition. Back in 2023, officials shifted the Scottish Cup final kick-off time from the customary 3PM slot to 5:30PM to avoid clashing with the Manchester derby in the FA Cup final.

That year also saw Celtic secure a 3-1 Scottish Cup final victory in what turned out to be Ange Postecoglou’s final match in charge.

Interestingly, history repeated itself this time around, with Celtic once again winning 3-1 in the final. The similarity has naturally led to fresh speculation over whether caretaker boss Martin O’Neill could also be nearing the end of his spell in charge.

Speaking after Celtic completed the domestic double, O’Neill hinted that the club may be better served by a younger manager moving forward. While stressing that his love for football remains strong, he admitted he does not see himself leading a long-term rebuild at Parkhead and suggested Celtic’s future may lie in younger hands.