Good morning and welcome to our live text coverage of the Scottish Cup semi-final between Rangers and Celtic. One of the biggest rivalries in world football will be contested at Hampden Park from midday, and we'll be on hand to bring you minute-by-minute updates from this incredible sporting occasion.

The Old Firm giants make up two thirds of the teams remaining in this season's Scottish Cup, following Hibernian's penalty-shootout win over Dundee United on Saturday. I think it goes without saying that whoever progresses today will be the favourites to lift the trophy. Team news incoming...

RANGERS: Foderingham, Tavernier, Kiernan, Wilson, Wallace, Ball, Shiels, McKay, Holt, Halliday, Miller

CELTIC: Gordon, Bitton, Brown, Griffiths, Mackay-Steven, Boyata, Mulgrew, Lustig, Johansen, Roberts, Tierney

So there we have our starting XIs and it's one change apiece. Rangers have replaced the injured Harry Forrester with Dean Shiels, while Celtic have drafted in Gary Mackay-Steven for Colin Kazim-Richards, who drops to the substitutes bench.

There are a few notable absentees for Rangers this afternoon, with goal machine Martyn Waghorn missing out through injury, and Michael O'Halloran and Billy King both cup-tied. The absence of Waghorn is a particularly big blow for the Gers, given that the former Wigan Athletic man has banged in 28 goals this season.

KEY MAN: James Tavernier is a man who could play a key role for the Gers this afternoon. The free-scoring right back is capable of turning a game on its head from a dead ball situation and gives Rangers extra width down the flank. No doubt Celtic will have done their homework on his free kick-taking abilities - not that there's much you can do about a Tavernier thunderbolt when it's on target!

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KEY MAN: Leigh Griffiths provides Celtic's attacking threat in this anticipated Old Firm showdown. The Scotland international has scored a lorryload of goals this season and is as dangerous as anyone north of the border when he gains possession in the box. Just don't expect him to take any penalties this afternoon. Anyone who saw him lose his bottle from 12 yards against Motherwell last weekend will know what I'm taking about.

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We're in for a cracking contest at Hampden Park, as both Glasgow giants head into the match in exceptional form. Celtic are unbeaten in 11 matches, while Rangers have lost just once in 20. The Gers' last reverse came five matches ago at the hands of Falkirk, the Championship's second-placed side.

Scottish football just hasn't been the same since Rangers' liquidation. The biggest fixtures on its calendar, Old Firm derbies, have been few and far between. The last time these great rivals met was in a Scottish League Cup semi-final last February, which Celtic won 2-0.

The Hoops eased to victory that day against a Rangers side in turmoil. The Gers had a caretaker manager at the helm and were lagging behind Edinburgh duo Hearts and Hibs in the Scottish Championship. However, Celtic are certain to face a much tougher test today.

Gers boss Mark Warburton has since stabilised the Ibrox outfit following a season of extensive rebuilding. They've already aced the Championship and lifted the League Challenge Cup, but today marks their greatest test. Warburton's first Old Firm derby could give us an indication of how much of a gulf their is between this incarnation of Rangers and the upper reaches of the Scottish Premiership.

Some pre-match quotes from both camps coming up...

RANGERS DEFENDER DANNY WILSON: "We have made good strides this year and Sunday will be a real challenge to see how far we have come, but we won't build our season up or down on whether or not we get the result. We are well aware of the threat Celtic will pose to us, but hopefully we can put in a good performance and, on the day, we might get a result."

CELTIC KEEPER CRAIG GORDON: "Regardless of what game it is, you want to go to Hampden and win, so it'd be nice to be able to look back on my 100th game for Celtic and have a victory behind me. It's all about who plays on the day."

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PREDICTION: This is tough match to call, as Rangers have progressed so much over the last year, while Celtic really haven't. There was a gulf between these two sides when they last met and it's fair to say that will have narrowed considerably. With this in mind, I'm going for a 2-1 win for Celtic, with the Gers pushing them all the way.

The outcome of the match will be decided this afternoon, through extra time and the dreaded penalty shootout if necessary. Yesterday's other semi-final, between Hibs and Dundee United, went to the wire before the Edinburgh side won 4-2 on penalties.

Scotland's national stadium is filling up nicely, but the pitch has seen between days following its battering by the boots of Hibs and Dundee United's players yesterday:

The Celtic End beginning to fill up at the National Stadium. #ScottishCup (MH) pic.twitter.com/eYfHUynrRt — Celtic Football Club (@celticfc) April 17, 2016

There's a nervous tension hanging over the stadium as British football's deadliest rivalry comes to a head just eight minutes from now. There's much at stake for both teams. The Scottish Cups marks the opportunity of a domestic treble for Warbuton in his first season in charge, while Celtic could secure a potential double and silence some of their critics if they go all the way.

There's a raucous atmosphere around the ground as the two teams exit the dugout. It's wonderful to see a packed-out Hampden Park after a relatively poor turnout for yesterday's semi-final between Dundee United and Hibs. Less than 20,000 attended that one.

KICKOFF: Celtic get the match underway, kicking from right to left in the first period. Better batten down the hatches, because this one could go off with the force of an atomic bomb!

Less than two minutes in and we already have our first mistimed challenge as Gary Mackay-Steven goes in hard in Jason Holt inside the Celtic half. He took away the legs of his opponent there, but the referee opts to have a quiet word with the player, rather than reach into his pocket.

Rangers win the first corner of the match after Kenny Miller chases down a lost cause. They fail to make anything of it and Celtic stage a swift counter, which ends when Stefan Johansen goes for goal from range, his effort sailing harmlessly wide of Wes Foderingham's goal.

SAVE! Great save by Celtic goalkeeper Craig Gordon, who makes himself big to deny Kenny Miller at close quarters. McKay picked out the veteran striker with a through ball, but the Hoops stopper raced from his line to thwart Miller at point blank range. The Gers have been in the ascendancy in the opening stages.

More pressure from Rangers as Wallace and McKay link up well in the final third. The latter floats a lofted pass over the Celtic penalty area, but there are no takers.

CHANCE! Celtic's best chance so far goes begging as Scott Brown gains possession inside the penalty area and flashes a shot just wide of the bottom corner. Stefan Johansen's long ball wasn't dealt with and it fell kindly for the Hoops skipper, who failed to hit the target despite having a clear sight of goal.

SHOT! Chance for Celtic as Leigh Griffiths pulls away from James Tavernier inside the penalty area. His marker forces him into an acute angle, but the Scotland international goes for goal regardless, putting his effort wide of the far post.

Rangers draw first blood in the Old Firm derby! Kenny Miller, a former Celtic man, keeps his composure inside the box after latching onto a loose ball and slides the ball beyond Gordon. The Hoops were the architects of their own downfall as the damage was done when Scott Brown failed to clear a James Tavernier free kick.

SHOT! Celtic head straight to the other end of the park in search of parity. Danny Wilson does well to snuff out the danger, but Tierney regains possession for the Hoops before rifling a powerful shot just over.

Former Rangers man Peter Lovenkrands has tweeted his approval of Miller's composed finish:

Yesssssssss 1-0 to the Mighty @RangersFC Come on!!!!!!!!!! #WATP — Peter Lovenkrands (@lovenkrands11) April 17, 2016

SHOT! Rangers on the front foot once more as the ball falls kindly for Lee Wallace on the edge of the box. He unleashes an ambitious effort that bobbles just wide of the post. It was worth a go!

It's been an entertaining first 25 minutes here at Hampden. There have been plenty of chances at both end of the park, but it's Rangers who're deservedly in front. Warburton's side are known for their free-flowing football and Celtic have done little to prevent it. The Gers have also played with more physicality than their opponents.

SUBSTITUTION: Celtic make the first change as Dedryck Boyata comes off and is replaced by Sviatchenko. There's a chance for Rangers moments after play restarts as Jason Holt shoots wide from just outside the penalty area.

There's yet more Rangers pressure as McKay's searching ball towards the penalty area is almost picked up by Miller. Tierney is there to avert the danger and Celtic look to stage a counter-attack of their own.

BOOKING: The first booking of the afternoon goes to Celtic sub Sviatchenko for a mistimed tackle on Sheils. It was the correct decision from the ref as Sheils might have raced clean through on goal had he not been fouled. Sviatchenko will miss the final if Celtic get there.

WHAT A MISS! It's a HUGE let-off for Rangers as Patrick Roberts misses an open goal. Leigh Griffiths shoots on the turn from the edge of the box and his effort rebounds off the post. It falls into the path of Roberts, who only has to pass it into the net, but the youngster loses his bottle and shoots wide!

Celtic threaten again as Bitton goes for goal from long range. His strike proves too hot for Foderingham to handle, but the Rangers goalkeeper quickly recovers and smothers the ball before Griffiths can latch onto it.

What a nightmare moment that was for Roberts. If there's one thing you don't want to do in an Old Firm derby, it's miss an open goal. Celtic SHOULD be level, but it's fair to say Rangers are the better side.

Here's a nice action shot from the game, depicting the moment right after Miller gave Rangers the lead:

📷 | Kenny Miller celebrates scoring the opening goal for @RangersFC #ScottishCup pic.twitter.com/OwQOnwrhKT

— Scottish Cup (@ScottishFA) April 17, 2016

GOOD DEFENDING! Rangers continue to press for a second as Barrie McKay plays a cross into the six-yard box. Charlie Mulgrew does really well to slide in and make the interception in front of his own goal. The Celtic man hoists the ball clear and it goes out for a throw.

Just one minute of stoppage time to be played at Hampden Park.

Rangers take a deserved lead into the second half following Kenny Miller's goal in the 16th minute. Celtic really should be on level terms, but Patrick Roberts could only find the side-netting when he was presented with an open goal in the 39th minute.

The stats from the first half underline the fact that the Gers were the better side. They claimed 65% of the possession, had two shots on target versus Celtic's one, and had five corners to their opponent's zero.

Both of Rangers' shots on target came from ex-Celtic striker Miller, who has proven to be a talisman for them today. Only Nir Bitton has troubled Wes Foderingham thus far, as his long-range effort almost caught the Gers keeper out in the 35th minute.

KICKOFF: Rangers get the match back underway, kicking from right to left in the second half.

There's an early scare for Celtic in the second period as Griffiths goes down and looks in some discomfort, but he soon gets back onto his feet and soldiers on. The Hoops win a free kick in shooting territory moments later as Andy Halliday commits a foul.

SHOT! Griffiths shrugs off that knock and goes for goal from the free kick. Foderingham can only parry his effort, but Danny Wilson is on hand to put the ball behind for a Celtic corner.

Celtic have hit the ground running in the second half, and now they've level. They won four corners in quick succession and restored parity from the latter, as Sviatchenko leaped high in the box to head Roberts's cross into the top corner! It was a well controlled header, but Rangers were all over the place defensively.

That was the Danish defender's first goal for Celtic, and what a time to nab it. The Hoops look like a different team in the early stages of the second period, a far cry from the sluggish side we saw before the break.

Rangers are applying some pressure of their own now, having won two corners in succession. The latter goes begging when McKay is dispossessed just outside the area and the Hoops defence clears its lines.

WASTEFUL! There's an opening for Leigh Griffiths, who gets half a yard on his marker in the penalty area and has a clear sight at goal. The striker pulls the trigger but blazes his effort over the bar. He should have tested Wes Foderingham from there!

BOOKING: Dominic Ball is the first Rangers man to see yellow, for a handball.

Here are the scenes immediacy after Sviatchenko headed Celtic's equaliser:

📷 | Erik Sviatchenko celebrates the goal that brought @celticfc back level | #ScottishCup 1-1 pic.twitter.com/NCTEyRqkNu

— Scottish Cup (@ScottishFA) April 17, 2016

Rangers win a free kick in a promising position following a foul by Bitton. It's in prime Tavernier territory, and it is indeed the former Wigan man who steps up to take it. However, his shot fails to clear the Celtic wall.

RANGERS SUB: Rangers make an attacking change, throwing on Nicky Law for Dean Sheils.

A half-chance for Celtic goes begging when Bitton smashes the ball over the bar from outside the box. It looked like a promising move for the Hoops, as Roberts cut into the penalty area from wide on the right, but he held onto possession for too long. Bitton swung at the loose ball, but was nowhere near hitting the target.

CELTIC SUB: Celtic replace Gary Mackay-Steven with Callum McGregor, as Ronny Deila introduces a fresh pair of legs with less than 20 minutes of this cup tie remaining.

That goal clearly went to Sviatchenko's head, as the Dane just gone for a second from 30 yards out. It's a low strike with no real pace on it that Foderingham collects without any trouble.

BOOKING! Stefan Johansen goes into the book for a cynical challenge on McKay as we enter the final quarter of an hour of normal time.

Celtic threaten as Kieran Tierney dispossesses Nicky Law in the danger zone and bears down on goal, but Rob Kiernan tracks back and wins the ball from the Celtic man at the crucial moment. The move breaks down when Tierney fouls James Tavernier.

GOOD DEFENDING! Wallace saves the day for Rangers, as Griffiths makes it as far as the byline. The Celtic striker plays the ball across the face of goal in an attempt to lay it on a plate for a teammate, but Wallace gets there first and puts it out for a Celtic corner.

Just five minutes of normal time remain, then we're into extra time and penalties. After spending most of the first half on the back foot, Celtic have looked the more dangerous in the second period. However, most of the action has come in midfield, where possession has been fiercely contested.

SUBSTITUTIONS: Rangers have replaced Rob Kiernan with Arsenal loanee Gedion Zelalem and shifted Ball into defence. Moments earlier, Celtic swapped Stefan Johansen for Tom Rogic.

CHANCE! Celtic threaten from a late free kick, which Roberts floats into the penalty area. Bitton gets his head to it, but his effort drops just wide of the far post. Tavernier was the man penalised for a foul, earning a booking in the process.

There will be two minutes of stoppage time to play.

Extra time, and possibly penalties, will be required to separate these Old Firm rivals. It's been a close cup tie, with Rangers dominating the first half and Celtic edging the second. Will an additional half an hour yield a winner? Stay tuned to find out!

KICK OFF: Extra time is now underway. Rangers have made a final change, throwing on Nicky Clark for their goalscorer Kenny Miller.

There's a palpable sense of tension hanging over the stadium. One moment of magic or a single mistake could decide this match now, but neither side has given the other an inch in the opening stages of extra time.

Oh my word! It's a bolt from the blue! The Rangers section of the stadium explodes as Barrie McKay puts an absolute screamer into the top corner from outside the box. Gordon had absolutely no chance in the Celtic goal, but there's a measure of controversy about that strike, because it came in the wake of a throw-in that should have gone the Hoops' way!

CHANCE! Celtic win a free kick in a promising position, which Griffiths steps up to take. The former Hibs and Wolves forward lifts his effort over the Rangers wall, but it dips wide of the post.

More bad news for Celtic. Bitton is signalling to the bench that he cannot continue, but the Hoops have used all of their substitutes. Will they be finishing the match with 10 men?

There's a half-chance for the Hoops as Sviatchenko gets his head to another Roberts corner, forcing Foderingham into a straightforward save to his right. Celtic will have to do better than that if they want to get back into this match.

HALF TIME IN EXTRA TIME: Rangers lead the match by two goals to one at the break, and Celtic have just 15 minutes to find something special. The Gers have one foot in the final, where Hibernian lie in wait.

KICK OFF: Celtic get extra time back under way. It's desperate measures for them now...

Unbelievable! There's another twist in this tale as Tom Rogic comes to Celtic's rescue with a vital goal just 30 seconds into the second half of extra time. Tierney provided the assist, racing clear of the Rangers defence and squaring a deft cut-back into Rogic's path, which he smashed into the bottom corner. Game on!

CHANCE! It's Celtic's turn to put the fear of God into their opponents now, and Rogic did just that when he raced clear on the Rangers goal in search of his second. Foderingham stands his ground and guides the ball around the post for a corner.

SHOT! McGregor stings Foderingham's palms with a vicious drive from close range as Celtic apply more pressure. This is high-octane stuff, not for the faint of heart!

Here's the moment when Rogic drove home that dramatic equaliser. Is that the goal that has forced a penalty shootout?

📷 | Tom Rogic's goal for @celticfc on a dramatic afternoon at Hampden Park | #ScottishCup 2-2 pic.twitter.com/gVuyIsgwAC

— Scottish Cup (@ScottishFA) April 17, 2016

BOOKING! Andy Halliday is booked for Rangers, giving away a free kick in a dangerous position in the process. What can Celtic make of this...?

WOODWORK! Griffiths comes within a whisker of putting Celtic in front from the set piece. The striker gets his power and placement near-perfect, bending an effort over the wall that comes back off the frame of the goal! Foderingham gets a fingertip to it and it goes behind for a corner.

Extra time couldn't separate them, so this Scottish Cup semi-final between bitter rivals Rangers and Celtic will be decided by a penalty shootout. Stay turned to find out who the heroes and villains of this Old Firm cracker will be.

GOAL! Andy Halliday beats Craig Gordon to his right!

GOAL! Mulgrew levels the shootout.

MISS! Tavernier blazes the ball over the bar. Terrible miss.

MISS! McGregor's pen cannons off the bar. Still all square.

GOAL! McKay scores... just. Gordon gets a hand to it but it creeps in.

GOAL! Bitton scores. A composed penalty.

MISS! Clark's penalty is saved by Gordon, who pulls off a great stop to tip it onto the bar.

MISS! Foderingham saves from Brown.

GOAL! Wallace buries his kick.

GOAL! Griffiths holds his nerve to make it 5-5.

GOAL! Gedion Zelalem makes the net bulge.

GOAL! Lustig buries his pen.

GOAL! Nicky Law on target.

MISS! Rogic blazes his pen over and goes from hero to villain!

It simply doesn't get any more dramatic than that! Rangers have defeated their arch rivals Celtic 5-4 on penalties to secure their place in the final of the Scottish Cup, where they will play Hibs next month.

Celtic's Tom Rogic went from hero to villain, scoring a decisive equaliser in the second half of extra time, before missing the penalty kick that sent his side out of the competition. He experienced some of the most dizzying highs and lowest lows that football has to offer within the space of half an hour!

That's all from me at Hampden Park, but be sure to stick with Sports Mole for all of the fallout from this intense Old Firm clash. Many thanks for joining us.