Aberdeen manager Jim Goodwin agrees with Celtic counterpart Ange Postecoglou's criticism of the Hampden playing surface.

"The pitch is a major disappointment, to be honest," he tells BBC Scotland. "I was surprised at how quickly it cut up last night.

"I know we've had torrential rain, but this is the national stadium pitch and it should be in far better condition. For me and Michael Beale, it will be a disappointment."

Aberdeen manager Jim Goodwin tells BBC Sportsound: "We're delighted to be here. It's how we sold the club to a lot of the new signings in the summer.

"This is the reason they came, to be involved in big cup competitions like this. It's not good enough getting to this stage though - we want to get to the final."

Reflecting on Rangers' recent win at Pittodrie, Goodwin says: "That particular game, four weeks ago, was extremely disappointing and still fresh in the memory of players and staff. We played well on the night.

"What we showed was that we can cause them problems. That's the positive we can take from the game.

"Roos, Shinnie, Ramadani, have all been involved in big games in their career so I don't see any of them being fazed."

Having failed to qualify for European competition, the Dons have had the longer journey to the semi-finals after having to qualify from the group stage.

They eased through against lower league sides without conceding a goal but were given a fright by League 2's Annan Athletic before winning 4-1 after extra-time in the second round.

Group stage -

Peterhead 0-2 Aberdeen (Christian Ramirez 2)

Aberdeen 2-0 Dumbarton (Ross McCrorie, Matty Kennedy)

Stirling Albion 0-5 Aberdeen (Vicente Besuijen, Christian Ramirez, Matty Kennedy, Ross McCrorie)

Aberdeen 3-0 Raith Rovers (Bojan Miovski, Ross McCrorie, Jonny Hayes)

Second round - Annan Athletic 1-4 Aberdeen (Vicente Besuijen 2, Duk, Leighton Clarkson)

Quarter-final - Aberdeen 4-1 Partick Thistle (Duk, Kevin Holt og, Hayden Coulson, Ryan Duncan)

Having been given a bye from the group stage, Rangers started their League Cup campaign under previous manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst in August.

But a struggle to beat second-tier Dundee in the last eight contributed to the Dutchman's departure

Second round - Rangers 3-1 Queen of the South (Robbie Ure, Scott Arfield 2)

Quarter-final - Rangers 1-0 Dundee (Steven Davis)

Rangers manger Michael Beale tells BBC Sportsound: "These are the days you want as a Rangers manager. Fair play to Gio [van Bronckhorst] and his staff and the players for getting us here.

"[Colak] has had a frustrating time of it since before I came in. I feel for the lad, he's not had time to work with myself. We thought he was back, he's had another slight problem. It's not a big one, he'll be out for a week to 10 days.

"We've got Kemar Roofe fit, which is really important, and Alfredo [Morelos] had a rest last weekend. Allan [McGregor] back in goals, he's the number one. The goalkeepers in house know where they stand.

"Only one big decision - that was Glen Kamara in midfield or not.

"The most important thing was to calm everything down, the fans and the team. We've done that so far and that pulls everything together with continuity. Semi finals are about the penalty boxes and it's important we win in those two areas."

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The respective managers arrive at Hampden with contrasting frames of mind.

Since returning to Ibrox to succeed Giovanni van Bronckhorst, Michael Beale has rekindled his love affair with the Rangers support and his side head to the other side of the city unbeaten in eight matches.

Jim Goodwin insists most Aberdeen fans can "see what we are trying to do here", but he admits he can understand their frustration over recent results that have gathered just two games in their latest eight outings.

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Neil McCann
Former Rangers winger on BBC Sportsound

Morelos' got a big game ahead of him, fuelled by big [Anthony] Stewart's comments. Jim Goodwin must have been sat with his head in his hands when he read those comments.

It's a very attack-minded Rangers team, very direct, lots of pace and creativity. Sakala has been good since Mick Beale came in, one of the most impressive players in recent times. Kent has found his mojo and Tillman has so much to offer.

With that line up, they'll be open and expansive and win the game Mick Beale's way.

Willie Miller
Former Aberdeen defender on BBC Sportsound

The starting XI is the strongest XI that Jim Goodwin could put out. Connor Barron has gone off the boil a bit, speculation about his contract, etc. It always has an impact on a player, especially one so young.

You've got to give respect to the opposition and that wasn't done in the last game at Ibrox, when Aberdeen were torn apart. I'm sure Jim Goodwin has learnt from that and I can't see the same happening today.

They have to be solid, whatever formation Jim Goodwin decides upon. They have to be better than they have been on the road - their away defensive performances have been almost embarrassing at times.

Fashion Sakala is the man of the moment for Rangers.

The Zambia forward has scored three of his four goals this season since Michael Beale returned to Ibrox as manager in place of Giovanni van Bronckhorst.

As my colleague, Scott Mullen, explains: "This term, the 25-year-old has played the same number of games under both Beale and Van Bronckhorst.

"His total shots has gone up from 16 to 23, his touches in the box have increased from 39 to 44. As a result, his xG has rocketed to 2.62 from 1.10."

Read more here.

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Recent history suggests a Rangers win - and not just because the Ibrox side sit second in the Premiership, three places and 20 points ahead of the Dons.

Rangers are unbeaten in 13 meetings with Aberdeen, winning nine, including the latest three, since a 2-0 Scottish Cup defeat at Ibrox in March 2019.

The Glasgow side won the latest 3-2 at Pittodrie after two late goals from Scott Arfield overturned the Dons' 2-1 lead.

Rangers also came from behind to win 4-1 at Ibrox in October.

Rangers manager Michael Beale has vowed to give all three goalkeepers their chance to impress before the end of the season once Robby McCrorie is back to fitness.

Last weekend in the league, it was the turn of 35-year-old Jon McLaughlin.

As is often the case, Rangers turn on the big occasion to Allan McGregor, five years his senior.

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Tom English
BBC Scotland's chief sports writer

I don't think there's anything wrong with what [Stewart] said. He didn't criticise Morelos, he just said in his opinion - and he's played against both of them - Colak is a better player. He's not saying Morelos is a no-hoper.

I don't think Jim Goodwin should be angry at his player for saying that. But now Stewart needs to back it up. If Morelos needs a kick like this, what does it tell you about Morelos?

Neil McCann
Former Rangers winger on BBC Sportsound

Stewart wasn't trash talking, he wasn't like a boxer. It was just his opinion.

But, as a footballer, if you give someone a little oxygen to burn in the fire... I think that's what Goodwin would have been most upset with.

Morelos has been disappointing, he has been poor. I'm 100% certain that Michael Beale will be saying to him before the game: "The centre-back doesn't fancy you, he doesn't think you're good."

That might be all that Morelos needs and that's not what Jim Goodwin needed.

Willie Miller
Former Aberdeen defender on BBC Sportsound

This might be the trigger that fires Morelos.

What happens if Morelos scores a brace or a hat-trick? I'd be sat in the dressing room next to Anthony Stewart saying 'what a stupid comment'.

All you're doing is giving ammunition to the opposition. There's no need for it. He should be building up the opposition. If he manages to tame Rangers and gets a clean sheet then he's got a clean sheet against fabulous players.

I think it was the wrong thing to do and I wouldn't be doing it myself.

Anthony Stewart's suggestion that Anthony Colak is a better striker than Rangers team-mate Alfredo Morelos was described as by the Aberdeen captain's own manager, Jim Goodwin, as "regrettable"

Goodwin insisted that the Englishman "meant no disrespect", but it has led to much discussion about how it might motivate the Colombia striker, especially now that he is starting ahead of the injured Croat today.

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Nick Walsh is today's referee in the Hampden spotlight.

Alan Muir is the VAR official and is being assisted by Alan Mulvanny.

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Considering Rangers have won it a record number of times, the League Cup has proven to be a bit of a bogey competition for the Ibrox club in recent years.

They have been waiting to lift the trophy for a 28th time since they last won it in 2011.

Aberdeen have been waiting nine years for their seventh triumph.

You can read some Dons heroes' memories of their 2014 triumph here.

One spill over from yesterday's semi-final is the criticism of the Hampden Park surface from Celtic's manager.

Ange Postecoglou urged the Scottish FA to make sure it is in better nick for the final.

Well, they have had less than 24 hours to make it fit for today's second semi-final. What bearing will that have on the outcome?

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