The previous winners were Aberdeen, who had beaten Celtic in the 1984 final, but they were knocked out by Dundee United at the Semi-final stage.

Celtic won the match 2–1, thanks to a free kick scored by Davie Provan and a late diving header from Frank McGarvey.

Dundee United opened the scoring on 53 minutes; Eamonn Bannon passed to David Dodds who controlled the ball whilst holding off a challenge, then slipped the ball to Stuart Beedie who fired a low shot past Bonner's left hand into the corner of the goal.

Trailing to Dundee United, Celtic manager Davie Hay make a tactical change in the second half by pushing Roy Aitken forward from central defence into midfield.

Five minutes from the end, a driving run and cross from down the right by Aitken set up a diving header from Frank McGarvey to win the game for Celtic.