Referee Craig Thomson brings a largely one-sided first half to a close with Celtic two goals to the good, courtesy of Leigh Griffths and Kris Commons.

Rangers have failed to test Celtic goalkeeper Craig Gordon and Ronny Deila's men look favourites to book a League Cup final place against Dundee United.

Celtic continue to profit down the right hand side and another centre almost tees up Leigh Griffiths but the striker can't control his header.

Mikael Lustig earns a booking for a sliding challenge on Steven Smith.

Celtic could and should be 3-0 up. The unmarked Virgil van Dijk rises to meet a corner but heads over with the goal gaping. Moments later, Stefan Johansen is denied by the legs of Steve Simonsen after good work by Kris Commons and Anthony Stokes.

It's one-way traffic in the first half and Rangers will be determined not to concede a third goal here. They desperately need an "out ball" to ease the pressure.

Celtic are seething with referee Craig Thomson as he awards a foul on Scott Brown following Ian Black's challenge. The Celtic skipper had flicked the ball onto Leigh Griffiths, who had a clear run in on goal, but the play was stopped.

Calm is restored and we're back up and running.

Matthew on Facebook: , externalWhat a goal!!!

Celtic double their lead with a stunning effort from Kris Commons. Celtic skipper Scott Brown feeds Commons who fires a howitzer from the edge of the area that Steve Simonsen gets a despairing mitt to but can't prevent finding the top corner.

Image source, SNS

"Rangers are bang in trouble now," warns BBC Sportsound pundit Billy Dodds.

Rangers goalkeeper Steve Simonsen, who is a dead ringer for England batsmen Ian Bell, comes to punch clear a Celtic corner under the close attention of Virgil van Dijk.

Rangers retain possession with some neat passing but Lee Wallace, dinking a ball like a golfer trying to clear a green-side bunker with a pitching wedge, sends it straight into the arms of Craig Gordon.

Moments later, play rages up the other end and Anthony Stokes fizzes a shot over the bar.

Robbie Devenney: Griffiths got a booking for cupping his ears? Really? That's a joke.

bringthemonjpn: Celtic worthy of their lead with a well worked goal. The game is wide open now..... forget your couches. Standing up time.

Disco: Rangers looking toothless, Celtic sticking to the gameplan set out. Rangers defenders still unable to deal with pace #bbcscotfootball

Rangers appear content to sit very deep and try to hit Celtic on the break. The problem, however, is offering Celtic the lionshare of possession.

Celtic's full backs are galloping forward at will, while Nir Biton and Scott Brown are beginning to zip the ball about the pitch with increasing confidence.

Kenny McDowall will be keen to see his side threaten Celtic's goal soon...

Rangers force a corner but Fraser Aird's centre fails to find a Rangers head and Celtic repel the danger.

The febrile atmosphere and pace of the game have dropped ever so slightly. It is Sunday afternoon, after all. No chance of a quick nap though...

The Hampden surface continues to cut up under the thunder of hooves and is beginning to resemble Mickey Rourke's pock-marked coupon in the film The Wrestler...

Celtic are getting some joy down Rangers' left and Mikael Lustig whips over a cross that Leigh Griffiths glances but fails to trouble Simonsen.

Griffiths is proving a thorn in Rangers' side with his movement between the central defenders. We've yet to see Rangers seriously test Craig Gordon's goal.

Alan Appleby: Crikey that didn't take long #bbcscotfootball #OldFirm

Andrew Priestley: This is going to be a LONG afternoon for Rangers! This could get out of hand....

Rangers, seeking to restore parity, come forward in droves but Celtic's midfield take the sting out of the attack. Breathless stuff at Hampden and Ronny Deila's men hold an early lead.

First blood to Celtic as Stefan Johansen whips in a sumptuous cross and striker Leigh Griffiths, peeling off the Rangers defence, directs a header home from close range. Steve Simonsen has no chance as Griffiths bounds away to take the acclaim of his team-mates.

Image source, SNS

But Craig Gordon grabs the ball comfortably.

Rangers have a free kick in Celtic territory as Scott Brown clips Kyle Hutton. Steven Smith will take it from wide on the right...

The Hampden surface appears to be cutting up in the early stages. It's not had long to recover from yesterday's semi-final when Dundee United vanquished Aberdeen.