Celtic paired with Rangers in Scottish Cup semi-final draw
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Celtic paired with Rangers in Scottish Cup semi-final draw

CELTIC have been drawn against fierce rivals Rangers in the semi-finals of the Scottish Cup.

The Bhoys beat Greenock Morton 3-0 on Sunday, with goals from Leigh Griffiths, Gary Mackay-Steven and Callum McGregor, to advance to the last four.

Scottish Championship leaders Rangers, meanwhile, beat top-tier side Dundee 4-0 in their own quarter-final, setting up a Glasgow derby tie at Hampden Park.

The tie will take place on the weekend of April 16 and 17, with the date yet to be confirmed.

It will be the first meeting between Celtic and Rangers since last season’s League Cup semi-final, which Ronny Deila’s side won 2-0 before going on to lift the trophy.

Rangers manager Mark Warburton, who will compete in his first Old Firm derby, told the club’s official website he is not even thinking about the tie just yet.

"I understand it is a big game and a big event,” he said. “And I understand there will by media hysteria, but from our point of view, that game is a long way off and between now and then, we have a lot of work to do in our league campaign."

Celtic boss Deila was more bullish about the match-up, admitting he’s already excited by the challenge.

“I'm really looking forward to the game, it's going to be a huge game and hopefully we will win and make it even better,” he said.

“These games are what you train for, every day, that's why you play football.”