It is the first time the Glasgow giants have clashed in the competition's showpiece since 2003 when Rangers won 2-1.

Both managers know a win in the match could lend the victors an edge as they fight it out to win the Scottish Premier League.

It is the 13th Old Firm League Cup final with Rangers holding the advantage with eight victories to Celtic's four. The Ibrox side are the current holders of the Cup having defeated Dundee United on penalties after last year's final finished 2-2.

Despite it being Walter Smith's second time in charge of the Ibrox side it is the first time he was faced up to the Hoops in a cup final. And the Gers gaffer will be hoping to mastermind a victory over Gordon Strachan's side so they can complete the first part of a domestic treble.

Much has been made of Celtic's inconsistent form since the turn of the year.

The Parkhead club have won only five times in 2009 and last weekend were knocked out of the Scottish Cup by St Mirren.

One of the major problems has been a lack of goals from their strikers with Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink and Georgios Samaras having now gone 25 games between them without scoring a goal.

But midfielder Paul Hartley, who is in line for a recall to the side after having to make do with a place on the bench in recent weeks, is backing the pair to bounce back.

"You don't become bad players overnight," the Scotland player said. "They're going through a difficult spell. I'm sure the two lads will bounce back. They train well every single day and their spirit is still there."

Rangers have striking problems of their own after SPL top-scorer was sent home from training on Tuesday following a bust-up with manager Walter Smith.

The Gers gaffer was unhappy with the forward's reaction to being left on the bench for last weekend's Scottish Cup tie against Hamilton.

Boyd, who has struck 24 goals this season, is unlikely to feature from the start in the game despite apologizing to Smith. However Spanish striker Nacho Novo should be in line for a place in the squad following his return to training after an ankle injury.

The last Old Firm match was a dull 0-0 draw at Parkhead but Rangers Captain Barry Ferguson says the form book goes out the window in these matches.

"You just don't know what is going to happen and simply can't predict how it will go," Ferguson said. "We have a good record in cup finals against Celtic and we're proud of it. But it goes out the window ahead of this game."