Match day live: Rangers v Celtic, Betfred Cup semi-final

Lee Wallace and Scott Brown will lead their sides out at Hampden this Sunday at 14.15. Picture: SNS

38.37: Another ropey pass back puts Gilks under pressure, with the goalkeeper unable to stop a corner, but it comes to nothing.

33.45: Fairly scrappy game so far. Rangers are holding their own much better in terms of possession when compared with the 5-1 defeat at Celtic Park, but they haven’t come close to scoring yet. Celtic, meanwhile, have had a number of opportunities.

26.54: Dembele goes down far too easily in the penalty area and Mark Warburton, rightly, asked the question about whether it was a dive. Celtic continue their dominance in terms of chances with Rogic robbing Halliday, driving forward and placing a shot wide of the far post.

25.53: Best spell of the match for Rangers with some good composure in possession, but no chance yet for the team from Ibrox.

21.33: Celtic almost ahead as Gilks gives the ball right to Rogic as the Hoops press right up the park. Midfielder can’t control in time and Gilks scrambles it for a corner. Dembele has a chance from the set-piece, with Gilks making a strong save, but referee blows for a foul.

14.03: Barrie McKay booked for diving inside the area. Rangers thought they had a penalty until Craig Thomson flashed a yellow card in the face of the winger. Very harsh decision. Not a penalty but not a dive either as Jozo Simunovic got the ball before McKay went over his foot. At the other end, Matt Gilks made a vital low stop to deny Scott Sinclair who’d got in behind.

09.44: A Rogic shot from inside the area is deflected and loops just over the crossbar. Chance came about after Sinclair ran at Hodson on the left. Corner easily cleared.

07.20: Rangers have their first meaningful attack but can’t carve open space for a shot at goal. A couple of minutes prior, Kieran Tierney was almost played in behind, but Nir Bitton’s pass was too strong.

02.53: No chances yet, though Celtic have started the stronger, putting Rangers under pressure with their high pressing. Andy Halliday put in a great challenge on Tom Rogic, which means he’s already made a bigger contribution than Joey Barton in the last derby.

0.01: The game is underway.

Rangers team (4-3-3): Gilks; Hodson, Hill, Kiernan, Wallace; Windass, Halliday, Holt; Tavernier, Miller, McKay. Subs: Foderingham, Garner, Dodoo, Crooks, Senderos, O’Halloran, Waghorn.

Unavailable: Niko Kranjcar (injured), Joey Barton (suspended)

Celtic team (4-2-3-1): Gordon; Lustig, Sviatchenko, Simunovic, Tierney; Brown, Bitton; Forrest, Rogic, Sinclair; Dembele. Subs: De Vries, Gamboa, Toure, McGregor, Armstrong, Roberts, Griffiths.

Referee: Craig Thomson

Key Rangers player: Andy Halliday. The boyhood fan was superb in his Old Firm debut as Rangers upset Celtic at Hampden in April of this year. Along with Jason Holt, the lower league side stood up to the Celtic midfield and won the battle. They’d need to put in similarly inspired performances if Rangers are to repeat the feat at the national stadium on Sunday.

Key Celtic player: Scott Sinclair. Rangers will always try to impose their own style on the game, which could mean a high line and, therefore, a lot of space to attack in behind. James Forrest, if he keeps his place on the opposite flank, will also have plenty of opportunities, but as Sinclair has proved he’s the biggest scoring threat from Celtic’s midfield.

Last five meetings: Celtic 5 - 1 Rangers; Rangers 2 - 2 Celtic (Rangers win 5-4 on penalties); Celtic 2 - 0 Rangers; Celtic 3 - 0 Rangers; Rangers 3 - 2 Celtic

Odds: Rangers 19/4, Draw 16/5, Celtic 11/20

What Rangers are saying: “We’ve got some good momentum behind us. The last two results have been two clean sheets and performances have been starting to gather. We learn lessons from every game, no matter if it’s a 5-0 win or we lose in the manner we did last time.” (Lee Wallace)

What Celtic are saying: “They have started to get a few results and get a steady team and that’s better for them. But we’re improving and getting stronger and fitter as well.” (Scott Brown)

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