A great tackle by Andrew Considine thwarts Odsonne Edouard as Callum McGregor races into the penalty box and puts the Dons under pressure with a low cross.

Celtic, the holders and favourites, get the game under way.

There is no sign of the sunshine that bathed yesterday's semi-final that shone on Hearts.

It is the sixth semi-final between Aberdeen and Celtic and the Glasgow side have only lost one of them.

The last time they met at this stage of the Scottish Cup was in 2011, won by Celtic at a canter by 4-0.

An intriguing stat with Hearts awaiting the winners in the final.

The Edinburgh club have played now defunct Third Lanark more recently in a national cup final than they have Celtic.

The last time Hearts and Celtic met in a final was the Scottish Cup in 1955-56 season, when the Tynecastle club won 3-1.

Hearts beat Third Lanark 2-1 in the League Cup final in 1959-60.

Here they come. The teams led by referee Craig Thomson.

Scott McKenna is captaining the Dons in place of the suspended Graeme Shinnie.

A big day for the young centre-half.

Hampden is filling nicely a we're waiting for the teams to emerge from the tunnel.

Despite the disappointment of being held to a goalless draw at home to Livingston last weekend, runaway Premiership leaders Celtic unbeaten in eight games since losing to Valencia in the Europa League.

Aberdeen, who sit fourth in the league, have only lost once in their last seven outings.

They defeated Celtic in Glasgow in the final league game of last season, but they have yet to beat today's opponents in four games this season.

It all suggests a close contest, particularly after the Dons' 0-0 draw at Celtic Park last month.

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Having already beaten Aberdeen in December's League Cup final and being runaway Premiership leaders, Celtic are strong favourites to continue their quest for a third successive domestic clean sweep.

The cup holders, who have won three of their last five domestic finals against Derek McInnes' side, are aiming to lift the trophy for a 39th time, but they have never won football's oldest trophy three years running.

Aberdeen are aiming to reach a fifth cup final since McInnes took charge in 2013, but they have only beaten Celtic once in their last 15 meetings.

Were they to do so, it would be the first time since 2008 that the Pittodrie side have beaten both sides of the Old Firm in the same season, having already won three times against Rangers during this campaign.

After the recent spate of missile throwing and smoke bombs that have plagued Scottish football, there looks to be plenty of searches of fans arriving outside Hampden.

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Derek McInnes has a reputation for sticking with tried and tested - particularly against Celtic and Rangers - but today's starting XI has an average age of only 23.8, due to the inclusion of young players like Dean Campbell, Lewis Ferguson and Connor McLennan.

Not only is that particularly low for an Aberdeen team under McInnes, but it's also younger than the Celtic side they're set to face. Neil Lennon's starting team have an average age of 25.9

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Scott McKenna has been saying he wants to win a cup with Aberdeen before leaving for pastures new.

The Scotland centre-half could be running out of time after being linked with a number of clubs in England's Premier League and Championship.

Celtic interim manager Neil Lennon tells BBC Radio Scotland's Sportsound that Niall McGinn's absence from the Aberdeen team is "a boost for us, no question".

Of his own team selection, Lennon explains: "Jonny Hayes has pace and he's got good defensive qualities when called upon. Jonny knows the surroundings, he knows the opposition very well.

"We've got a strong experienced team out there and we're hoping we can get the job done. You can't underestimate the exuberance of youth."

Celtic are unbeaten in domestic competition in 2019 and since Lennon returned as manager in February. They have also not lost a domestic cup tie since 2016.

"Don't let this run end," Lennon says. "This is another challenge we need to overcome."

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Tom English
BBC Scotland's chief sports writer

Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes tells BBC Radio Scotland's Sportsound there was a somber mood when the Dons discovered they would be without the injured Niall McGinn.

McGinn was injured in training and will miss the Dons remaining games this season - including the final if they win today.

"It's important we refocused and we named the team last night," McInnes explains. "We've reset and we're looking forward to the game. Unfortunately for Niall, he misses out and he'll be out for the season.

"The younger players have come in and done well. I've got no fears. Dean Campbell is a technical player, he can handle the ball well.

"It's all about winning - just win the game."

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It looks like on-loan Derby County left-back Max Lowe will be in direct opposition to Scotland winger James Forrest.

Lowe insists he's relishing the prospect despite admitting that it was a "frightening" experience the first time he came up against the Celtic man.

Willie Miller
Former Scotland defender on BBC Radio Scotland

Aberdeen legend Joe Harper sees parallels between the present side and the one he played for when they beat Celtic to lift the Scottish Cup in 1970.

The former Scotland striker scored the opening goal at Hampden that day as Jock Stein's Celtic lost 3-1 just days before tasting defeat again, to Feyenoord, in the European Cup final.

"I'm quite confident," Harper told BBC Scotland. "I've got a good feeling about this one."

Dons youngsters can 'play without fear'

Tom English
BBC Scotland's chief sports writer