Haris Vuckic twists one way then another inside the Queens penalty box and has the ball taken off his toes by team-mate Nicky Law, who then fires in a low shot that Zander Clark does well to stop with a smart, diving save.

Mark Durnan is involved again, this time heading clear near his own goal as Richard Forster clips in a dangerous cross from the right.

Queens defender Mark Durnan attempts an ambitious overhead kick from a deep free-kick only to send the ball high into the Copland Road stand behind Cammy Bell's goal.

Lee Wallace plays a smart one-two with Haris Vuckic to get in behind the visiting defence. The full-back then pings a firm delivery across goal to Nicky Clark but the striker's volley whistles wide from 10 yards.

The pace has settled down to a mere whirlwind now as Gavin Reilly sets himself up for a shot on the edge of the Rangers box but the Queens forward tugs it wide of the target - well wide.

The ball has not been on the carpet-like surface very often in a frantic opening, with both sets of defenders getting some early heading practice.

BBC Scotland football pundit Derek Ferguson

"The pitch is like a bowling green. It's like a carpet out there, so no excuses today."

Referee Kevin Clancy peeps his whistle and Queen of the South get the action started.

The teams emerge from the tunnel to a noisy reception. Rangers in blue, Queens in white - a reverse of the colours worn last weekend. Not long to go now...

Falkirk manager Peter Houston, on BBC Radio Scotland

"I've been really looking forward to the game for the last few days, whether Stuart McCall sticks or twists. The big thing for Queens is making sure they are in the game at half-time."

There is another play-off game today, with Forfar going to Alloa with a 3-1 lead. The winner will be in the Championship next season. That one starts at 17:30 and is live on BBC ALBA and online.

Image source, SNS

Queen of the South manager James Fowler looks relaxed in the dugout at Ibrox. That may all change in five minutes when the action kicks off.

After a squabble with the SPFL over admission prices and season tickets, Rangers are charging a flat fee of £5. With the league imposing a 50% levy on play-off revenue, the gesture rewards loyal fans, it may attract a few newcomers or lapsed followers and it will definitely rile the game's governors.

BBC Scotland's Tom English at Ibrox

"I must say, coming in to the stadium today it feels like it used to feel before the implosion of this club."

Motherwell defender Stephen McManus is in bullish mood as the Steelmen wait for the play-off final: "If you look at these last nine games and compare them to the first nine games, then you can see we've not been on a dramatic slide.

"The reason we are sitting second bottom is not because of what happened on Saturday - it's been results over the course of the whole season.

"But we just need to dust ourselves down and work as hard as we can to make sure we stay in this division.

"We've been in this league for a long time and we know it will be a big ask but we believe we are more than capable of winning these two games."

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Following yesterday's loss to relegated St Mirren, Motherwell are now confirmed as finalists in this long process.

Is the script written for Stuart McCall to face the club he left back in November? There's at least 270 minutes of football to go before then, so there are sure to be a few twists and turns to come.

Image source, SNS Group

Hibs boss Alan Stubbs popped into BBC Scotland HQ on his way to Ibrox and said: "If it's going to be Rangers fine, if it's going to be Queen of the South, fine. I honestly think we've got a good chance of coming through the tie.

"I am confident with the group of players we've got. We've had a good time away. It was great for team bonding. We've trained really well together."

On the gap without a game - "We had three or four days with tough sessions. We have international breaks where we have no games for 14 days. If anything, I think it will give the players an edge. I am relaxed because I trust my players. I know they are ready."

Hibernian are waiting for the winners of this tie, with the semi-final being played over Wednesday and Saturday. So today's victors will only have two days to prepare, while the Edinburgh team, who have been off to a training camp in Spain, will have been without a match for 18 days. Which is the better preparation? We'll find out soon enough...

Queens finished the 'regular season' seven points behind third-placed Rangers and deserve enormous credit for getting so close to a rival with a budget that absolutely dwarfs the money spent at Palmerston. And manager James Fowler merits a special mention for the job he's done. The 34-year-old started the season as player-coach but stepped up in September when Jim McIntyre left and has taken to the job like a duck to water.