Kilmarnock made a convincing start, defeating lower league opposition in third round and quarter-finals by comfortable margins, but had a much tougher test against Ayrshire rivals Ayr United in semi-finals, although they kept three consecutive clean sheets en route to the final.

Celtic played no home games throughout the tournament with trips to Easter Road and Victoria Park followed by a 3–1 triumph in the semi-final at Hampden.

[4] In the next round Celtic faced fellow Scottish Premier League team Hibernian at Easter Road.

A Scott Brown penalty and two goals from Stokes put Celtic into the final[6] In Kilmarnock's third round tie they were at home against First Division side Queen of the South at Rugby Park Stadium.

Kilmarnock manager Kenny Shiels said that he thought Celtic deserved to win the Treble and that they were the best team in Scotland.

[12] Kilmarnock's first choice striker Paul Heffernan was a doubt before the match due to a groin strain, but took a painkilling injection to play.

[16] Early in the match Kilmarnock defender Mohamadou Sissoko's pass across the penalty area was intercepted by Gary Hooper.

[17] Around 30 minutes in Scott Brown made room for himself on the right before crossing for Anthony Stokes whose header was saved by Bell.

Shiels had a chance at the start of the second half, he ran through several players on the edge of the box before mis-hitting his shot very wide.

Ben Gordon ran down the left wing on the counter-attack and passed to Lee Johnson who crossed for his fellow substitute Dieter Van Tornhout to score the only goal of the game with a back post header.

Kilmarnock goalkeeper Cammy Bell was named man of the match, Sky Sports said that he, "produced a series of top-drawer saves to deny the Bhoys".