Nick McPheat
BBC Scotland at Hampden

Jonny Hayes v Ross McCausland.

The 36-year-old v the 20-year-old.

That's going to be an intriguing battle out wide.

Stefan Gartenmann clobbers Abdallah Sima to the left of the Aberdeen penalty area.

From the resulting free-kick, the ball falls to Dujon Sterling who has a go from the edge of the box and it's deflected over.

Panic stations from the corner, but the Dons manage to clear.

Image source, SNS

Michael Stewart
Former Scotland midfielder on Viaplay

Twenty minutes into the game, that's a yellow card.

Ouch!published at 4 mins

4 mins

Rangers 0-0 Aberdeen

John Lundstram thunders into a late challenge on Jamie McGrath.

Referee Don Robertson keeps his yellow card in his pocket.

Willie Miller
Former Aberdeen defender on BBC Sportsound

It's been a frantic start, not much room for players to get the ball down and take a touch, or to actually pass it.

Aberdeen knock one over the top for Bojan Miovski to chase. I think we might see a few more of those.

Jack Butland is out quickly to gather on this occasion.

And we're off, with the pitch still shrouded in smoke.

Kheredine Idessane
BBC Scotland at Hampden Park

Sad to report that some fans, at both ends of the ground, have brought pyrotechnics in. Especially in the Rangers section behind the goal, from where smoke is now billowing across the entire stadium. Shame, because the tifo displays from both sets of supporters add colour and atmosphere to what's building into quite the occasion here in Glasgow's Southside. Bring. It. On.

Image source, SNS

Tyrone Smith
BBC Scotland at Hampden

I'm not long in the ground after spending some time outside, in the rain, speaking to the drenched fans of both sides.

Supporters are in optimistic mood, interesting that a few said they felt the heavy rain could be a real leveller.

It will certainly mean that both defences, and goalies, will have to be on the guard as the ball will be zipping about all over the place.

Derek McInnes
Former Aberdeen manager and Rangers midfielder on Viaplay

Philippe has been almost been pitch perfect.

When he came in, Rangers were in a poor place. Today is his biggest test, but if he can come through it, the credit in the bank will serve him well.

Nick McPheat
BBC Scotland at Hampden

A heart-warming moment as ex-Aberdeen winger Scott Wright is cheered by both sets of fans while the line-ups are being announced.

Ha... You didn't believe that, did you? A lovely big boo from the Dons fans.

We wouldn't have it any other way.

Kheredine Idessane
BBC Scotland at Hampden Park

It's the first time these old rivals have contested the League Cup final since 1992. That day, the managers were Walter Smith and Willie Miller. Hateley and McCoist were up front for Rangers; Shearer and Paatelainen for the Dons.

It went to extra-time, when Gary Smith's own goal settled it and paved the way for Rangers to go on and claim the treble that season. An omen, perhaps, were Philippe Clement's side to repeat history here? We shall see.

Nick McPheat
BBC Scotland at Hampden

Graeme Shinnie leads the Aberdeen players into the dressing room. The noise from the Dons fans to the right...

That's immediately followed by the Rangers support singing about a particular woolly farm animal.

Ally McCoist
Former Rangers striker & manager on Viaplay

These are the days you remember for the rest of your life.

This is a monster game.

I think we're in for a classic.

Aberdeen manager Barry Robson tells BBC Sportsound: "One thing that has been good about us this year is we've been in a lot of big stadiums, against a lot of top players. It's been good experience, and hopefully we can perform like we have done in some of the other big games we've played in.

"Keep a clean sheet, that helps. I told the players 'go and enjoy it'. These are the type of games you'll look back on, the type you want to play in.

"I loved the big occasion, that's no secret. What they need to do today is embrace the fans, the occasion, run hard and work hard. When you do that, your quality comes out. Don't be timid, don't sit off - go and have a go.

"We know it's a top Rangers team, they can pin us back at times. But we need to be good in every department. We've got a good team spirit, we're good in transition, we want to be aggressive and smart at the back.

"The players finished third, gave our fans European football. It would be great if they could do this for the fans as well."

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Rangers manager Phillipe Clement tells BBC Scotland occasions like this are "the main reason" he came to the club.

"I feel a really good dynamic in the squad. I'm excited in a positive way, I am looking forward to the game. I know good momentum doesn't give guarantees, but it is a good start.

"This was one of the reasons, maybe the main reason I came to the club. This club wants to win things, and so do I.

"We need to stay calm and focus on our own game."

On his team selection Clement said: "It was less difficult than I had hoped for. I had a few decisions to make, but I had hoped for more but due to missing a few important players still, there weren't as many."

On Todd Cantwell he added: "Todd had a few important family things to do and we understand that. He's here with a lot of hunger, he regrets he missed Thursday but we all understand why."

Clement added Dujon Sterling is "ready to do the job" and is "the best solution" given the injury problems in midfield.

Image source, SNS

Nick McPheat
BBC Scotland at Hampden

I know it's just a warm-up, but I'm struggling to see anything up with Bojan Miovski.

He's just absolutely lasered two finishes from outside the box into the side netting. Both identical.

Aye, he looks alright.

Aberdeen skipper Graeme Shinnie was on the losing side the last time the Dons lifted this trophy almost a decade ago.

He did get to have a Scottish Cup party with Inverness Caley Thistle in the following season.

"It happened so early in my career, it feels like a long time ago but at the end of my career, that is a moment I’ll look back on," he said the other day.

"If I could get my hands on the other cup now, it would be a double which would be great memories to look back on."

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Rangers captain James Tavernier has picked up the Premiership trophy and the Scottish Cup since he arrived at Ibrox eight years ago.

Can he complete the set?

"Not having my hands on that silverware for the time I've been here - it's disappointing on my part," he said yesterday. "But it's a new team, it's a new challenge and we are going to give everything. It's a great opportunity for us all."

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Rangers start as favourites but Aberdeen are unbeaten in the two games played already this season.

The Dons enjoyed a 3-1 win at Ibrox in late September, a result that ended Michael Beale's reign as Rangers boss.

At the end of last month, Rangers salvaged a 1-1 draw with a late penalty at Pittodrie.

Barry Robson has had four games in all against Rangers and he's only lost one.

Image source, SNS