Jota is in behind the Rangers defence, Connor Goldson clears, but the flag was up against the Portuguese winger.

Image source, Reuters

Neil McCann
Former Rangers winger on BBC Sportsound

Rangers are trying to squeeze Celtic. They've set their stall out with Morelos, Kent and Sakala all going for it. Callum McGregor is so important for Celtic. He takes the ball under all sorts of pressure.

Colin Moffat
BBC Scotland at Hampden

Celtic normally have their own ball boys and girls pinging a ball back within seconds of it going out of play. The Hampden kids are not quite as sharp and Greg Taylor has already given one youngster a friendly reminder to get a shift on.

A few hefty challenges flying in already, but there's been no excitement in either penalty box.

Plenty in the stands though!

The first nervous moment for Rangers comes as Malik Tillman plays a rather forceful back pass the way of Allan McGregor, but the goalkeeper does well to control and clear.

A bit casual by the midfielder.

Referee Nick Walsh's whistle signals the start of the 2023 Scottish League Cup final as Celtic kick off in their traditional green and white hoops seeking to retain the trophy.

Rangers in their normal blue looking for their first victory in the competition's final since 2011.

As smoke envelopes Hampden, there's a minute's applause for Ron Gordon, the Hibs owner who has passed away...

Colin Moffat
BBC Scotland at Hampden

Clear blue skies above Hampden, but the sunshine has almost shifted off the pitch as the players troop out with their game faces on.

Either end of the stadium is a riot of colour and the noise is deafening.

I was a wee bit premature with that "here they come" cry.

Now they do and Hampden erupts into a cauldron of noise and pyrotechnics.

Willie Miller
Former Aberdeen defender on BBC Sportsound

There are threats all over the park. Asking the question: 'who is the threat?' is the impossible question. You could argue a case for any player.

Hampden is a sea of colour as both sets of fans produce displays at either end as the players await impatiently and nervously in the tunnel...and here they come!

Former Celtic goalkeeper Pat Bonner has been suggesting that it is a contrast in styles and experience in the Hampden dugouts.

Celtic's Ange Postecoglou is a manager-coach with 26 years experience in management. Rangers' Michael Beale is a coach-manager who has had less than a season in the hotseat.

Image source, SNS

Image source, SNS

Pat Bonner
Former Celtic goalkeeper on BBC Sportsound

Ange Postecoglou is ruthless. If anyone switches off, they're out the team. He has set the highest standard. We know what we are getting from him on a weekly basis.

Staying outwith the dressing room, too, he has given Callum McGregor the opportunity to control the dressing room. Players grow with responsibility and tactically, Postecoglou has done this so well.

Neil McCann
Former Rangers winger on BBC Sportsound

I don't think Rangers need to play their best in terms of free-flowing football today, but they need to defend really well. Out of possession, that's so important. If Rangers get in front. they'll need to manage the game better.

There will be a minute's silence ahead of kick-off at Hampden as the two sets of fans are asked to pay tribute to Ron Gordon following the Hibernian owner's death from cancer at the age of 68.

Image source, SNS

Reo Hatate is the man of the moment for Celtic, scoring twice in his side's last two games.

The Japan midfielder could be key to his side's success again at Hampden.

A few pundits have suggested Rangers forward Fashion Sakala has set himself up for a fall by suggesting that his side are better than the league leaders and League Cup holders, who he preferred to call "the other mob".

Celtic centre-half Cameron Carter-Vickers insisted he has "no problem" with that as it is what you would expect from a fellow professional with self-belief.

However, you imagine that those comments will be hung on the Celtic dressing-room door as they head for Hampden's hallowed turf.

Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou tells BBC Sportsound: "It's not a nervousness, it's an excitement. I'd much rather be here than be on the couch watching two other teams play.

"This is why I do what I do. I want to be part of successful teams, that's the case here. Every trophy is hard earned. If we win today, it'll be hard earned.

"We had a strong training week. It's fine margins between who starts and who doesn't. There's no doubt we'll need five guys off the bench.

"The players don't need too much motivation today."

Image source, SNS

Colin Moffat
BBC Scotland at Hampden

Michael Beale may be pinching himself right now. This is just a 37th game as a manager for the 42-year-old and the first silverware of the season is up for grabs.

Image source, SNS