It's Scottish Cup semi-final weekend and although they haven't had their troubles to seek lately, fans of Hibs and Dundee United will relish a trip to Hampden.

There's a back-story in each of the match-ups, and to each of the participants.

Hibs could scratch that 114-year itch in Scotland's premier cup competition while United are seeking some salvation from a sorry season at the foot of the Premiership.

So far Hibs have played FIVE Scottish Cup ties to return to Hampden, and they are looking for redemption after their late League Cup final failure in Mount Florida.

Here's how Alan Stubbs' side reached the national stadium in the Scottish Cup...

It was a fairly standard victory for Hibs over their Championship rivals who at that time, they had beaten in every meeting this season. It's what lay in store though that thrust Hibs into the Scottish Cup spotlight.

Alan Stubbs' men looked buried at Tynecastle but a second half improvement led by a late Jason Cummings goal gave them hope before Paul Hanlon scrambled an equaliser and forced ANOTHER cup tie for the Leith team.

The Leith talisman struck again and Hibs held on to his solitary strike to see off their city rivals which was crowned by an emotional rendition of 'Sunshine on Leith' by the support. Cummings was red-carded late on, as was Blaze Augustyn for Hearts.

Hibs were on a roll when the Cup holders headed for Easter Road, a week before they faced fellow Highlanders Ross County in the League Cup Final. Omens looked good but Stubbs' side only had James Keatings goal to show for it and ex-Hibbee John Hughes took his old club back north for a replay to add to their fixture list congestion.

Spurred on by some newspaper criticism, perhaps, Anthony Stokes finally proved his worth to Hibs after his loan switch from Celtic with an important double which returned Hibs to Hampden just days after their League Cup defeat to Ross County. They're now 180 minutes, maybe a little more, from a first Scottish Cup since 1902 but in the way are...

Dundee United have left it late in picking up form in the league, and have done similar when reaching Hampden this season.

Here's how Mixu Paatelainen's side reached the penultimate stage...

A goal ten minutes from time to see off Gary Bollan's League One side was a boost for the ailing Arabs who hadn't won since Hallowe'en. But it certainly lifted the spirits at Tannadice and though United last 4-1 at home to Celtic in their next match, they recorded an overdue league win before meeting PArtick Thistle in the next round.

It was a late, late show from Paatelainen's side again as Scott Fraser's goal edged them past Partick, but really it was the overall although slight improvement in United's form - including the cup competitions - that was dominating.

Mark Durnan was sent off in Dingwall, but that didn't hinder Dundee United and, despite a horrible league campaign, they booked their place at the ational Stadium in typically late fashion with Billy McKay knocking in a last-minute winner.