There's a buzz of anticipation inside Ibrox as Rangers left-back Lee Wallace storms forward for the first time but his low pass forward is easily cut out by Liam Fontaine.

Nicky Clark makes some progress down the right flank for Rangers and plays a quick, deep ball across goal for Kenny Miller to chase. However, Paul Hanlon shadows the former Scotland striker, who can't quite get there.

Hibs skipper Liam Craig has another dig from distance, this shot rising over the top by a good distance. He's getting closer, though.

Image source, SNS

Rangers director Paul Murray (left) and new chairman Dave King, who has passed the Scottish FA's "fit and proper" test, are in the Ibrox stands.

Hibs are pinging the ball around confidently, keeping Rangers pinned back, but a promising move fizzles out when David Gray's low cross is cut out by a defender in blue.

BBC Sportsound pundit Derek Ferguson

"At the moment, Rangers are playing far too many long balls."

A simple ball through the middle splits the Rangers defence and Jason Cummings is haring after it but across comes Darren McGregor, with an impressive turn of pace, to mop up the danger.

A Rangers break ends with Kenny Miller being bundled over by Scott Robertson. The free-kick comes to nothing...

The visitors are seeing more of the ball in these early exchanges, as an attempted flick from Dominique Malonga just fails to reach the onrushing Fraser Fyvie on the edge of the home penalty box.

Hibs string a few passes together in enemy territory and captain Liam Craig decides to have a pop from distance, with his shot from 30 yards skidding wide.

Hibs, in their white change kit, get the action started.

The players emerge from the tunnel and there's a helluva racket in the stadium. Not long to go now...

BBC Sportsound pundit Derek Ferguson

"This is the time for players to keep things simple, don't think too much about the consequences. There are some terrific players out there and I think they'll go toe-to-toe. We could be in for a real cracker."

BBC Scotland's Tom English at Ibrox

"It's high-wire stuff now and there's no safety net."

Ibrox is filling up nicely as the players complete their warm-up routines. Hibernian will be backed by just 950 fans tonight, with Rangers restricting away tickets in the hope a noisy full-house can spur them on.

In a tit-for-tat move, Hibs are cutting the allocation for visiting supporters at Easter Road, with Rangers only getting half of the South Stand, which they would normally fill.

With both teams squabbling with the SPFL over pricing, season-tickets and the league imposing a 50% levy, they are positively falling over themselves to avoid a profit. But it's good news for all fans paying a £5 for tonight's entertainment.

Hibernian have used their down time to fit in a trip to Spain but Alan Stubbs' men were not loafing around by the pool and going to foam parties at night (are they still a thing?). The players were doing double sessions each day at La Manga, according to the manager. But there must have been some malarkey since he said it was a great bonding exercise.

BBC Sportsound pundit Craig Paterson

"Neither side is set up to go back to front and it could be very congested in the middle of the park. Players will need to be brave on the ball to boss that area. Both teams will rely on the full-backs for width; that could be the key battle - out wide."

BBC Scotland's Richard Wilson at Ibrox

"It is the beginning of a critical test of nerve at Ibrox. Two clubs desperate to return to the top-flight, facing a two-legged play-off. Hibernian have been widely praised for their play this season, and they are the form side in the Championship in 2015, but they are still capable of moments of mental fragility.

"Rangers are also flawed, particularly in defence, but have also shown moments of determined application in recent weeks. The tie is unlikely to be decided tonight, but the outcome will shape the psychology of the second leg, and expose any weaknesses in either side."

For anxious Motherwell fans, the omens from all of the other divisional play-offs are good, with Montrose, Stenhousemuir and Alloa all staving off the drop to a lower league.

I'd be amazed if any team is lacking in vitality tonight. With a final against Motherwell for a place in the Premiership awaiting the winners, there is so much on the line for two teams who will think they should always be at Scottish football's top table. One of them definitely won't be and, of course, both could yet be facing another season in the second tier.