Former Rangers striker Kris Boyd on BBC Radio Scotland: "When you look at Kenny Miller’s career, he’s a fantastic player, looks after himself, does everything properly, and at 37 years old, that’s why he’s still going. It’s safe to say I’ll not be going at 37!

"But It’s a credit to Kenny. We go back to him being out of contract at the end of the season, I think it’s a no-brainer (to offer him a new deal) and he’s always popped up in big games."

Chris McLaughlin
BBC Sport Scotland

Despite playing down the treble talk, you can guarantee the Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers will be reminding his team that they're just two games from securing it. He's gone with a starting 11 full of energy and drive and will be desperate to get the first goal. Pedro Caixinha has kept faith with a fairly young backline. If the new manager can take his side to the Scottish Cup final and prevent Celtic completing a treble, he becomes an instant hero to the blue half of Glasgow. Strap yourselves in - here come the teams. 

Tom English
BBC Scotland's chief sports writer at Hampden Park

"If I was doing a composite team here, I would have 11 Celtic players. I wouldn’t have a single Rangers player.

"That’s not to say for Rangers, the whole can’t be greater than the sum of the parts. It’s a cup semi-final, it’s possible, but if you look man for man, Celtic win in 11 positions for me.

"So that’s the challenge for Pedro Caixinha – their concentration levels and discipline have to be off the scale to win this. The concentration levels were exceptional when they got a draw at Celtic Park last month. They need to replicate that against a Celtic team that I think will be burned a little by drawing the last game.

"I think the standards Brendan Rodgers has introduced, that kind of performance doesn’t cut it, and I think there have been a couple of ropey performances of late by Celtic’s standards this season.

"I think today, Rodgers will put pressure on them to get back to the dominant Celtic of a month ago and for the vast majority of this season."

Who would be in your combined Old Firm XI?

Alasdair Lamont
BBC Sport Scotland

It's quite remarkable that you have to go back to 1925 for a Celtic victory over Rangers in a Scottish Cup semi-final. Just about everything points towards that ending this afternoon. Both sets of players troop down the tunnel together after their warm-up, to warm applause from their supporters. The adrenaline must be reaching bubbling point about now.

"The Celtic manager has stressed all season that it is the collective rather than the individual that is paramount. That approach has allowed players to flourish, though, and three of the four leading Premiership scorers this season are Sinclair (20), Dembele (17) and Armstrong (13). Kenny Miller, with nine goals, is Rangers' top scorer in the league."

Read Richard Wilson's thoughts ahead of kick-off.  

Tom English
BBC Scotland's chief sports writer at Hampden Park

"I look at Myles Beerman, and I look at David Bates, and I think that could be the game right there. If Celtic can expose those guys, I think it’s game over.

"If those guys can stand up to the pressure of the occasion, then we could have a game of football. It’s a huge show of faith from Pedro Caixinha to put the two of them in, it shows some courage against this Celtic team.

"If you’re a betting man, you’d have to back Celtic. But we’ve learnt a bit more about Caixinha, the way he can set up a team.

"He’s pragmatic, he’s savvy, and if Rangers can frustrate Celtic, then you think maybe Rangers have a manager here. Up to now, he’;s done fine, but this is a big test for him."

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers: "I'm very fortunate. I've got 24 players with me, everyone fit and available. We could bring Tom Rogic and Leigh Griffiths into the game. We have a strong bench to affect the game if we have to. When you are a young player (like Myles Beerman) you come in to this game and the last thing you want is to play against is a really tricky winger like Patrick Roberts. I try to focus on my own team. This is the fifth time we have played them so we have a fair idea how they will set up. I have been impressed since he (Caixinha) came in. He is maybe a little bit more pragmatic than Mark - there's no right or wrong - and I think they will set up like they did at Aberdeen. These are very tight games in the main and we anticipate the same today. This is a competition we want to win. We are all ready. Yesterday's was a really good game and it will be a tough game (against Aberdeen) for whoever gets through."

Pat Bonner
Former Celtic goalkeeper on BBC Sportsound

"That’s as strong a team as it gets from Celtic’s point of view. I expect them to get on the front foot.

"I keep saying it, that first goal is going to be critical in this match. If Celtic get it, I expect them to go on and put in a performance. The pitch is magnificent, and will lend itself to good, passing football that will suit Celtic.

"Will Rangers press them, and be in their faces early on? Or will they allow them that time on the ball to get their game going?

"If they do, I think Celtic, eventually, will open up Rangers. Tactically, today will be fascinating."

Pedro Caixinha looks relaxed ahead of what he describes as the biggest game of his managerial career, his first Old Firm match at the helm of Rangers. He is unbeaten in five games in charge.

Image source, SNS

Former Rangers striker Kris Boyd: "There was a doubt about Wes Foderingham but the Rangers fans will be delighted he has made it. I've been watching his warm-up and he looks fine. Young guys are coming into the team - how do you get experience other than by playing games of football? If Rangers can get at Celtic further up the pitch they can cause Celtic problems. Rangers will not roll over, they can come in to this game with confidence. It's a big test for Barrie (McKay, on the bench) from now until the end of the season."

So, are the butterflies a-flutterin' in your belly? There are only 30 minutes to go until kick-off.

Celtic captain Scott Brown lines up in midfield this afternoon, despite being sent off against Ross County last week. 

Rangers manager Pedro Caixinha has said he has no problem with Celtic appealing against the decision, a process which allows Brown to play today.

"If I had one player who was in my starting 11 or match-day 18 who I really counted on and had conditions to appeal, I'd do the same," he said.  

More on Caixinha on Brown.

Image source, SNS

Rangers have 18-year-old Myles Beerman in at left-back today, while captain Lee Wallace recovers from stomach surgery. The young Maltese has played only three games for the Light Blues. He lines up besides 20-year-old David Bates, who will also be playing his fourth game for Rangers. 

Image source, SNS

Rangers make two changes to the starting line-up from their last match, a 2-0 home win over Partick Thistle.

Andy Halliday and Joe Garner start in place of Jon Toral and Barrie McKay, who drop to the bench.

That means boss Pedro Caixinha is sticking with youngsters Myles Beerman and David Bates in defence.

Asked on Facebook if he will ever sport a 'tache again, the Aberdeen legend Willie Miller replied: "The moustache is gone. Someone stole it and I cannae find the culprit."

Now, there's a task for all those officers we mentioned earlier.

Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers has made three alterations to the side that started the 2-2 Premiership draw at Ross County.

In come Dedryck Boyata, Mikael Lustig and Patrick Roberts for Erik Sviatchenko, Tom Rogic and James Forrest. 

The three players missing out all drop to the bench at Hampden.

BBC Scotland football pundit Willie Miller: "Watching Rangers at Aberdeen I thought they defended really well, which is not something you could say about Rangers recently. With the two youngsters (Bates and Beerman) at the back, I think it's a great achievement that the manager has found them so early."