James McFadden
Former Scotland forward on BBC Scotland

What a start for Aberdeen. It's a brilliant goal from Aberdeen's point of view. Great football and, when Miovski's through one-on-one, you expect him to hit the back of the net - he's not to be denied.

It's a maginficient goal from start to finish. The first pass into Jamie McGrath off that left hand side allows Aberdeen to get up and link the game. It's not a hopefull ball, it's measured.

And we're off.

Ninety minutes or so and we'll know who awaits Heart of Midlothian or Rangers in the final.

Aberdeen are eyeing second cup final of season after losing to Rangers in the League Cup.

But, despite a reputation for having a proud Scottish Cup history, they haven't lifted this trophy since beating Celtic in the 1990 final.

That was their seventh cup final triumph, but Celtic's win over Inverness Caledonian Thistle in last season's final took their total to a record 41.

Kheredine Idessane
BBC Scotland at Hampden

The national stadium looks resplendent in the south of Glasgow sun, but there's a big imbalance inside the ground.

There's a wee wedge of Aberdeen fans to my left, with about a fifth of Hampden wearing red and white.

The other 80% is all green and white, with Celtic bringing what looks like close to 40,000 noisy and expectant fans who're eyeing a League and cup double.

Willie Miller
Former Aberdeen captain on BBC Sportsound

I don't think you see too many leaders like that in the modern game like Graeme Shinnie.

I think it's went out the game, the individuality of it.

You don't get an awful lot of players like Shinnie.

Aberdeen without Graeme Shinnie is a massive blow to them.

Pat Bonner
Former Celtic goalkeeper on BBC Sportsound

Hampden suits Celtic, they love coming here.

Celtic will pass the ball on this big old pitch and control the game.

If they can push Aberdeen back into a defensive situation, it's going to be really tough for them.

Here comes the teams into the cauldron that is Hampden on semi-final day.

A sea of colour - and noise - at both ends of the ground.

Can Aberdeen upset the odds? Thumbs up below for yes, thumbs down for no.

Aberdeen have been consigned to the bottom half of the Premiership as the top flight splits into two for the final fixtures, but Peter Leven has somewhat steadied the ship since taking over from Neil Warnock as caretaker.

The Dons are still not clear of relegation trouble sitting in ninth place, but they are unbeaten in four outings, albeit the latest two were goalless draws.

Eight places and 43 points separate the Dons from leaders Celtic, who are finding form at the right time of the season, being unbeaten in five outings and winning four of them since losing to Heart of Midlothian.

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland at Hampden Park

Around 8,000 Aberdeen fans have made the trip to Hampden.

There are probably a number of reasons for that figure. One of them is undoubtedly that the Red Army are viewing this game more in hope than expectation.

But anything can happen in the one off game and some of the Pittodrie side's best performances have come on the bigger stages this term - particularly on the European one.

So perhaps if they can draw on their memories against the likes Eintracht Frankfurt and PAOK, they can upset the odds again.

Image source, SNS

Image source, SNS

Kheredine Idessane
BBC Scotland at Hampden Park

Hampden in the sun has been a walk in the park for Brendan Rodgers so far in his Celtic career.

The Northern Irishman has yet to lose at the national stadium as manager and his last game here was the 2018-19 League Cup final win against, yes, you guessed it, Aberdeen.

His side's record here against the Dons is formidable. Celtic have not lost to Aberdeen in this competition at this ground in 34 years; and in any competition here since 1992. Should Celtic come out on top, they'll make it to their 60th Scottish Cup final.

Leanne Crichton
Former Scotland international on BBC Scotland

I think it's a welcome distraction - that's where the club are at. But now Aberdeen have got their managerial appointment, they know what will happen this summer, results of late have turned a corner to a point.

There might not be as many fans here as they hoped, an early kick-off in Glasgow might not be the most appealing off the back of the season they've had.

But Aberdeen on paper are a much better side than what they've produced - and in a cup semi-final in this environment, live on TV, I'm sure the players will give absolutely everything this afternoon.

Kheredine Idessane
BBC Scotland at Hampden Park

What's past is past, right? Aberdeen's prospects in the immediate future at the national stadium are depending on that.

Celtic have won nine of their last 10 matches against the Dons, with an aggregate score of 29-6.

All of that notwithstanding, the last time these sides met at Pittodrie was considerably closer. It finished 1-1, but Aberdeen were perhaps a tad unfortunate not to win.

Celtic's backline has beefed up a bit since that day in the north-east in early February: Nawrocki and Bernabei made up half the back four that day. Taylor and Carter-Vickers are a big upgrade this afternoon.

Interim manager Peter Leven tells BBC Scotland: "It's really nice to have the chance to lead Aberdeen at the national stadium.

"It's a big game. It's going to be tough, but hopefully the boys will be at it today."

Leven admits that captain Graeme Shinnie's suspension is "a big loss".

"He drives the midfield with his voice in there," he says. "But Dante [Polvara] will step in. He's done great this season in the big games.

"They're a very good team, Celtic, they're on form right now. We're going to have to work hard and need a bit of luck at times, but hopefully we can do well today."

Image source, SNS

Charlie Mulgrew
Former Celtic and Aberdeen defender

I think league form goes completely out the window. It's a chance for Aberdeen, in their recent form they've been good, they'll now want to put a performance on. The fact they are where they are in the league won't have a bearing on the game.

I expect a really competitive game. Celtic are used to big games, they're used to being at Hampden and they'll need to turn up today and be at it.

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers tells BBC Scotland that captain Callum McGregor "won't play the whole game" after recently returning from injury.

"But, with it being a semi-final and the possibility of extra time, it's better for him to start this game," he explains. "But it's great to have him back and leading the team out.

"I think everyone's on the same page; players are back available and performing well, so it's important to keep that mentality. Our focus has been very good in the last numbers of weeks and we're arriving at a time where this is what being a Celtic player or manager is about."

Rodgers expects Peter Leven to have Aberdeen "organised" and "tight".

"For us, as it always is at Hampden, if you control the ball you get control of the game and then you bring the game to a level, which makes it really difficult in terms of the tempo," he adds.

Image source, SNS

There have been plenty of Scottish Cup meetings between the sides down the years, with Celtic winning 2-0 the last time they met in a semi-final - in the Covid delayed showpiece in November 2020.

Indeed, Celtic have won their last nine meetings at Hampden in any competition. Aberdeen have to go back to September 1992 for a victory over Celtic at the national stadium - 1-0 in the League Cup.

Their most recent win over Celtic in the Scottish Cup came in February 2014, when the Dons came back from an early Anthony Stokes goal thanks to finishes from Russell Anderson and Peter Pawlett.

Aberdeen's second cup semi-final appearance of the season has been somewhat overshadowed by this week's confirmation that Jimmy Thelin will be taking over as manager this summer.

The 46-year-old Swede's Elfsborg side were pipped on goal difference to their domestic title last year and the Dons are having to wait until midway through the current campaign in his homeland to get their man.

That leaves Peter Leven in charge again, but the caretaker says he will be keeping in close touch with the new boss between now and then. Indeed, with Elsborg not playing Kalmar until Monday, you imagine Thelin will be glued to the live action from Hampden.

Image source, SNS

Aberdeen will have to end Celtic's run of 24 meetings between the sides without defeat if they are to reach May's cup final.

Andrew Considine, the centre-half now with St Johnstone, was the last Dons player to score a winning goal against today's opponents - way back in May 2018 at Celtic Park.

Aberdeen ended a run of nine consecutive defeats by Celtic with a 1-1 Premiership draw at Pittodrie in February. But they had lost the previous four by an aggregate of 18-1!

Indeed, it's a feast of cup football all over the BBC, with live radio coverage too from Hampden, starting just after the midday news on BBC Radio Scotland.

Former Aberdeen captain Willie Miller and ex-Celtic goalkeeper Pat Bonner are the pundits joining host Kenny Macintyre, with commentary of the match provided by Alasdair Lamont.

If you want a football alternative, Stuart Cosgrove and Tam Cowan will be providing some laughs on BBC Radio Scotland FM.

Don't forget that there's lots of big games later this afternoon in the Championship, League 1 and League 2, while the Highland League will be settled too. Billy Dodds, Derek Ferguson, Jim Duffy and Allan Preston will be among those providing updates around the grounds.

Get those fingers clicking those wee windows above with your choices.

Image source, SNS