Good afternoon! It's just half an hour until action gets underway at Hampden Park in the Scottish League Cup final. Let's start with a look at the team news...

DUNDEE UTD STARTING XI: Cierzniak, Dillon, Morris, Fojut, Dixon, McGowan, Butcher, Paton, Rankin, Dow, Bilate

CELTIC STARTING XI: Gordon, Ambrose, Denayer, Van Dijk, Izaguirre, Brown, Bitton, Commons, Johansen, Stokes, Griffiths

DUNDEE UTD SUBSTITUTES: Szromik, Souttar, Telfer, Spittal, Connelly, Erskine, Anier

CELTIC SUBSTITUTES: Zaluska, Guidetti, Scepovic, Fisher, McGregor, Forrest, Henderson

The main news for Celtic is that Kris Commons returns to the starting lineup in place of James Forrest, while captain Scott Brown keeps his place despite making headlines for his off the pitch behaviour this week.

For Dundee United, Mario Bilate comes in in place of Nadir Ciftci, who us suspended after getting sent off when the sides met in the Scottish Cup last weekend.

So, this is the second time that these two sides have played in a week. Last weekend's clash at Tannadice was a rather heated affair, with three players getting send off in the 1-1 draw. This will surely be another spirited match, with the prospect of some silverware add the full-time whistle adding to the intensity.

Here are the Celtic players getting to know the pitch a little earlier:

The Bhoys head back into the dressing room to prepare for the warm up. (MH) pic.twitter.com/NgbMpRVCae

— Celtic Football Club (@celticfc) March 15, 2015

Ahead of kickoff, Dundee Utd midfielder John Rankin told reporters: "We are all very enthusiastic and desperate to go for Sunday. To be honest I think we just need to enjoy the occasion this year. What happens in the last game is done. We are not going to get involved in what happened the week before. You can only affect the next game that's put in front of you and for us that next game is Celtic. And then Celtic again and Celtic again. It's exciting."

Meanwhile, Celtic Nir Bitton said to the media: "Especially in a cup, anything is possible in 90 minutes. We know everybody expects us to win but Dundee United showed last Sunday, it will be difficult for us like every game in the Scottish league. We need to have a good mentality. A lot of Celtic games are live in Israel, especially cup finals, so everyone will be looking forward to it. When you play for a team like Celtic it's a huge club with a lot of fans all over the world, so a lot of people will be looking forward to it in Israel."

To reach the the final, United had to knock out defending champions Aberdeen, beating them 2-1 in the last four. Meanwhile, Celtic had a meeting with Glasgow rivals Rangers, clinching a 2-0 victory over the Scottish Championship side.

PREDICTION! As the players start to gather in the tunnel ready to head out for kickoff, there's just time for a quick prediction. Dundee Utd proved that they can push Celtic last week, but without the in-form Ciftci, Celtic have to start as favourites this afteroon, so I'm going for a 2-1 win for Ronny Deila's men.

The players make their way onto the pitch and are greeted by a sea of green and orange as the fans make themselves heard. It's packed in Hampden Park! It should be a cracking cup final atmosphere.

KICKOFF! Celtic get the action underway!

In just the second Scottish League Cup final meeting between these two clubs, it's United pressing first as John Rankin chargges down the left, but Izaguirre blocks his path. Griffiths tries to get down the other end on the counter-attack, but his first touch is poor.

CHANCE! Celtic almost take the lead as they force the first corner of the match, and Van Dijk gets forward to try to head it in, but Sean Dillon is on the line for clear it after Cierzniak misses the cross after coming off his line.

It's been pretty open so far, with United quickly getting back on the attack with Callum Morris bursting forward from midfield. There's no-one up to support him though, and he's soon crowded out at the back.

CHANCE! Cierzniak is caught off guard as Morris leaves Leigh Griffiths unmarked, allowing the striker to latch onto a high ball into the box. The keeper comes out the try to block the shot, and he does just enough to force the Celtic man too slice it into the side-netting from a tight angle. That was s arisky move from Ciersniak.

CHANCE! Efe Ambrose trips Rankin on the edge of the box as United quickly head down the other end, giving away a free kick in a dangerous position. This is where they miss Ciftci though, as this would normally be his set piece, but Paul Dixon steps up instead, and can't clear the wall.

There's an early injury concern for the Hoops as Kris Commons is caught by a trailing leg from Morris, and he hobbles to the sideline to have it checked out, but it looks like he's carrying on for now.

CHANCE! Craig Gordon comes under pressure at the back for Celtic for the first time as McGowan launches a throw deep, and Ambrose misses his attempt to head it clear, leaving Rankin free in midfield, but the keeper sprints off his line and leaps on top of the loose ball. It's a brilliant reaction from Gordon.

Dundee Utd are really starting to looks dangerous on the attack as they quickly push forward again, but this time Nir Biton is back to help out in defence and wins it back for Celtic. He finds Griffiths, who quickly unleashes a shot from 20 yards out, but it doesn't worry Cierzniak at he flies high into the stand.

A couple of sloppy passes from Celtic in midfield allow United to burst through, with Dow and MCGowan linking up, but Van Dijk outmuscles the striker to prevent him from getting his shot away.

CHANCE! Stokes squares it to Griffiths in the box as Celtic continue to push, but the striker's first touch is lacking, as he's caught out by a robust challenge from Morris before he can rescue the situation. Biton quickly wins it back and launches it forward for Commons, but he can only chip the finish wide.

It looks like Dundee UTd could be forced into an early change as Sean Dillon is floored by an accidental clashing of knee with Van Dijk. He looks to really be in quite some discomfort, but he's determined to play on, so the physio tapes him up, and he briefly nips down the tunnel for further treatment, so the Tangerines or down to 10 for the time being.

Celtic make the most of Dillon's absence as Stokes bursts down the left before crossing it in for Commons. His initial shot forces a save from Cierzniak, but the keeper can only tip it onto the post and back into the path of Commons, who makes the most of his second chance with a decision tap in.

United need to get Dillon back on or make the change because they are being carved open by Celtic at the minute. Stokes wants to get another on the board straight away and blasts a through-ball in, but it's turned behind for a corner. Johansen tries to head it in, but his finish is just high.

There's confusion as Blair Spittal looks like he's ready to come on in place of Dillon, and the fourth official gets the board ready. However, Dillon comes running back out, and confirms that he can play on, so Spittal's introduction has to be placed on hold as the defender comes back on. His teammates will definitely be relieved to see him.

BOOKING! Ryan McGowan is the first player to pick up a card this afternoon as he brings down Scott Brown in midfield.

CHANCE! Commons turns effortlessly on the edge of the box, shaking off two defenders before unleashes a powerful, low effort, but Cierzniak makes a diving save to turn it around the post.

PENALTY APPEAL! Dundee United want a spot kick as Ryan Dow looks to make the most of a quick counter-attack, but he's floored by a Scott Brown challenge. Referee Bobby Madden isn't buying it, but there's definitely a shove from the Celtic captain.

Celtic are trying to find a second as the half-time whistle approaches, with Stokes trying to find Johansen, while Griffiths also gets forward, but neither player manages to get on the end of the pass.

CHANCE! Gordon has to make another save for Celtic as United are on the attack again, winning a throw in near the corner flag. McGowan's long throws prove a handful again as he picks out Dow, but his header lacks power, leaving Gordon to claim it.

As the first half heads into two minutes of stoppage time, Brown sets up Stokes as Celtic try to put United under pressure again, forcing a corner. Dillon clears the initial delivery before Commons looks to drill it in on the rebound from 25 yards out, but Cierzniak watches it all the way.

Dundee United try to stretch Celtic on the counter, but Johansen and Morris clash heads while both trying to win the ball, and the pair look a bit dazed as they make their way to the sideline.

So it's advantage Celtic as the sides head off at half time in the Scottish League Cup final. Kris Commons's powerful finish from close range separates the teams, but United certainly aren't out of it yet.

United certainly haven't had luck on their side so far. They conceded while a player was off the pitch receiving treatment, and on another day would have had a penalty when Scott Brown challenge Ryan Down in the box.

In the opening 45 minutes, Celtic had 53% of the possession and nine shots to just one official effort from Dundee United, although there were a few dangerous balls in that Gordon had to deal with. Four of Celtic's efforts have been on target, while United are yet to really put the Celtic keeper under pressure.

This was the Celtic end at Hampden Park moments after the goal went in:

Goal Reaction: #Celtic fans celebrating the opening goal of the game (NM) #LeagueCupFinal pic.twitter.com/u21pJwOUpv — Celtic Football Club (@celticfc) March 15, 2015

The players are starting to head back out ready for the second half.

RESTART! Dundee United get the match back underway, with both sides unchanged after the break.

Dundee United start as they mean to go on with Rankin slotting the ball through for Bilate, who can't quite get it under control, but he does manage to force a corner. The striker was pretty quiet in the first half, with Dow doing the majority of the pressing, but Bilate is clearly keen to play a bigger role in this half.

CHANCE! Celtic are on the attack early on as well as Stokes continues to find space down the left before cutting inside and teeing it up for Griffiths, but the striker can't stretch enough to get his head to it.

CHANCE! It's an end-to-end start to the second half as Griffiths misses another opportunity, allowing Bilate to charge down the other end with only Van Dijk to beat. The defender manages to stop him crossing the ball to Dow out wide, but Bilate does shake off Van Dijk to get the shot away, forcing a stop from Gordon.

RED CARD! Sean Dillon is given his marching orders for a two-footed studs up challenge on Emilio Izaguirre. Dundee United will be without their skipper for the rest of the match.

Celtic were able to make the most of Dillon's injury absence in the first half, and they're looking to do the same now that he's been sent off, with Common and Griffiths both looking sharp, but United do just enough to keep them out.

SUB! Dundee United make a change, with Henri Anier replacing Mario Bilate up front.

Celtic are continuing to dominate going forward, but Grffiths scuffs his shot over from close range after another pacy run by Stokes down the left. The Hoops' lead isn't under any pressure, but they just can't force a second at the minute.

CHANCE! Commons almost adds his second of the day as he unleashes another rasping effort from the edge of the box, but Cierzniak punches it clear.

CHANCE! Celtic continue to pepper the Dundee United goal, with Johansen getting the final touch this time, but the keeper does just enough to stop it squeezing into the top corner.

SUBS! It's a double change for Celtic as Griffiths and Commons make was for John Guidetti and James Forrest.

CHANCE! Celtic force a corner, which is initially cleared, but only as far as Johansen, who curls it back in for Denayer, but the defenders header is just high.

CHANCE! Celtic continue to pile forward, and have another corner, but Callum Morris defends superbly, holding back Virgil van Dijk just enough to stop him getting the header away cleanly.

Well that surely puts it beyond doubt as James Forrest nets his first goal of the season to double Celtic's lead. It was the substitute who started the move, finding Johansen on the edge of the box before squaring it back to Forrest power it through the gap.

Dundee United's fans are starting to head out of the stadium as they accept that it's not going to be there day. Chris Erskine does give them some hope as a he wins a free kick out wide, but they can't create anything from it.

SUB! Celtic make a final change as Bitton makes way for Liam Henderson.

Dixon bundles down Forrest in the box to concede a spot kick, and it looks like it will be the scorer of the second to take it.

SAVE! Cierzniak gets down low to make the stop, guessing that Forrest will fire it to the right. He follows his shot on and gets a second chance, but he can only fire wide.

CHANCE! Stokes is on the charge again, skipping down the left before cutting in from out wide and curling a shot towards goal, but it doesn't trouble Cierzniak.

The Celtic fans start a rendition of You'll Never Walk Alone as the fourth official holds up the board, indicating that there will be three minutes of stoppage time.

Dundee United are finishing strongly as Erskine gets forward again to try to force a late consolation, but he can't squeeze it in.

It's a first cup for Ronny Deila as Celtic manager as his side secure a 2-0 win over 10-man Dundee United, with goals from Kris Commons and James Forrest handing the Hoops their first win in the competition for six years.

That's all from this match, but stick around to read our match report and for reaction from this match. Thanks for joining me this afternoon. Goodbye.