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Ian Crocker & Andy Walker's Scottish Cup semi-final preview

William Hill Scottish Cup trophy
Image: This weekend sees both Scottish Cup semi-finals live on Sky Sports across Saturday and Sunday

There’s one major trophy left up for grabs in Scotland this season with plenty of reasons to tune-in to Sky Sports for both Scottish Cup semi-finals this weekend.

The Sky Sports Scotland commentary team of Ian Crocker and Andy Walker are on hand to take you through the two ties with their predictions and thoughts on the games.

Hibernian and Aberdeen last met in the 3rd round of the Scottish League Cup in 2015, with Hibernian winning 2-0 at home. Malonga and Cummings the scorerss
Image: Hibernian and Aberdeen last met in the third round of the Scottish League Cup in 2015

Hibernian v Aberdeen - Live on Sky Sports 1 & 2 from 11.30am Saturday

In the first of two semi-finals, Championship winners Hibernian take on Aberdeen, who have already been to Hampden twice this campaign in the League Cup semi-final and final.

Current holders Hibs have reached this stage of the competition in five of the last six seasons and finally ended their 114-year wait for Scottish Cup glory with their 3-2 win over Rangers last May.

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Hibernian head coach Neil Lennon says his side won't be giving up the Scottish Cup without a fight ahead of their semi-final with Aberdeen

Aberdeen, on the other hand, have not tasted success in this tournament since 1990, when they overcame Billy McNeill's Celtic 9-8 on penalties following a 0-0 stalemate after 120 minutes.

Ian Crocker's prediction - Hibernian 2-2 Aberdeen

When Hibs came from 2-0 down at Hearts in last season's Scottish Cup I said to our reporter Luke Shanley that it was going to be their year and about time too.

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I wish my predictions were normally that decent.

Two in a row has been the tongue-in-cheek chant from Hibs fans but why not? On a high after promotion, it wouldn't surprise me if they made the final again.

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Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes hopes to use his side's Scottish League Cup final loss as inspiration for Saturday's semi-final

Aberdeen have lost their last four Scottish Cup semis but their current team has the ability to stop the rot. Two teams I really enjoy commentating on, this has the makings of a classic contest and I reckon it's going the distance. Take your own pick on penalties!

Jason Cummings will be a key man for Hibs, assuming he hasn't injured himself wrestling.

Andy Walker's Prediction - Hibernian 1-2 Aberdeen

After reaching four semi-finals in the last four years, Aberdeen are experienced enough to appreciate Hibs will be dangerous opponents.

Any side with John McGinn and Jason Cummings in their side have two potential match winners.

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It's a heavyweight week of action live only on Sky Sports

Normally lower league opposition are fearful of playing on the big occasion but given that they are cup holders and recent Championship winners, Neil Lennon's men should relish the opportunity to show everyone how well they could compete in the Premiership next season.

Having said that, Aberdeen have better players and have won some pressure games under Derek McInnes. I doubt they'll freeze.

Celtic v Rangers - Live on Sky Sports 2 from 11.30am Sunday.

Rangers v Celtic
Image: Celtic v Rangers is live on Sky Sports 2 from 11.30am on Sunday

On Sunday it's the turn of the Old Firm and the fifth encounter between Celtic and Rangers this season.

Brendan Rodgers' men came out on top in October's League Cup semi-final thanks to a Moussa Dembele winner. The Frenchman has scored five times in four appearances against the Ibrox side including a hat-trick in the 5-1 win in September.

Moussa Dembele scores late in the game as Celtic beat Rangers in the League Cup at Hampden
Image: Moussa Dembele scores late in the game as Celtic beat Rangers in the League Cup semi-final at Hampden in October

Despite Celtic's domestic invincibility so far in 2016/17, last year's semi-final defeat to Rangers on penalties shows there's precedent for an underdog win in an Old Firm semi-final.

Rangers have defensive issues having played youngsters David Bates and Myles Beerman in the last three Premiership fixtures due to injuries and illness.

Celtic have been able to make Scott Brown available after appealing his red card against Ross County on Sunday. Brown's hearing is due to take place next Thursday, therefore making him free to take on Rangers at Hampden.

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Former Rangers manager Alex McLeish believes Celtic are favourites to win against his old side when the teams meet in the Scottish Cup semi-finals

Ian Crocker's prediction - Celtic 2-2 Rangers

How can you predict the unpredictable?

I can't deny I'm a fence-sitter because I've been sat on the same fence for nearly 20 years of covering Scottish football and I'm not budging now. In fact, it's positively comfortable.

Rangers' recent draw at Celtic Park should lift them but equally, might have rather irked Celtic.

Clint Hill celebrates his late equaliser against Celtic
Image: Clint Hill celebrates his late equaliser against Celtic in the 1-1 draw at Celtic Park

Remarkably Rangers have won the last five Old Firm semis in the Scottish Cup. I have been privileged to commentate on 50 Old Firm matches and let's be honest, absolutely anything could happen and probably will.

I'm sure many are thinking it should be an Aberdeen v Celtic final but this grand old competition hasn't really done "should be" much lately. Let's do penalties again!

Andy Walker's prediction - Celtic 2-0 Rangers

Under the guidance of Graeme Murty, Rangers competed well with Celtic in the most recent league clash at Celtic Park and deserved a point.

Myles Beerman is set for his Rangers debut
Image: Eighteen-year-old Myles Beerman could be set for his Old Firm debut on Sunday

Murty achieved this with experienced players while new boss Pedro Caixinha looks likely to start with youngsters David Bates, 20, and Myles Beerman, 18. Given that the young men have helped not to concede in their last 3 games suggests they are up to it.

The message from Brendan Rodgers must be that Celtic are 2 games away from a treble, a magnificent achievement. Moussa Dembele has gone off the boil recently but remember, he too is 20. I expect Scott Sinclair to be the difference, in my view the Celtic & Scottish Premiership player of the year.

Scott Sinclair celebrates after giving Celtic a 2-1 lead against Rangers
Image: Scott Sinclair celebrates after giving Celtic a 2-1 lead against Rangers at Ibrox in December

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