THEY are the underdogs who fancy their chances, the outsiders who could easily upset the odds. Rangers aren’t expected to win at Hampden on Sunday, but they just might.

It was said before the meeting with Celtic last season that there is no such thing as a meaningless Old Firm game, and that is as true now as it was then.

On that day, Rangers fans made their way to the National Stadium more in hope than expectation. They wanted to win, but knew they had little chance.

This time it is different, though. The side that will stride out tomorrow afternoon have more quality, have more confidence and have the form to back it up as they bid for a Scottish Cup final berth.

Reaching the showpiece finale to the domestic campaign certainly wasn’t at the top of Mark Warburton’s to-do list in the summer. But, with the Championship clinched and the Petrofac Training Cup in the Ibrox Trophy Room, Rangers have a shot at glory.

It would be foolish to say that there isn’t a gap between Celtic and Warburton’s side and, in all likelihood, it will be the green half of Hampden who are celebrating come the final whistle.

It is a chance for Warburton’s side to see where they are and how far they have to go. It is also an opportunity to cause a cup shock.

“I hope [that Rangers fans are realistic]. We’re not going into this game with any negativity,” Warburton said.

“We want to go and win the game – absolutely. That will never change. But all we are saying is, there is a bigger picture, there is a gap there.

“There has to be a gap – Rangers have been out of the picture for five years. Our job is to close that gap.

“We have to improve our environment, we have to recruit well, we have to improve the quality of what we do, and if we do that we’ll be okay.

“We’ve got to close the gap. How well you do depends on how successful you are in recruitment, how players adapt, and how they settle in.

“There are so many factors – if you get seven out of 10 right you are in a good place.

“I think any neutral would say Celtic have to be the favourites – and I’m not being negative in any shape or form.

“They are top of the Premiership, they are the current champions, and they’ve been in Europe for a number of years with a very strong financial budget. So why would they not be favourites?”

Since making the move from Brentford last summer, each day has been a learning curve for Warburton as he has adjusted to life as Rangers manager on and off the park.

He has delivered the two pieces of silverware he had to this season and, ahead of four Old Firm fixtures in the Premiership next term, he will now have his first taste of derby day.

It will be a new experience for the 53-year-old, but he has done what he can to ensure he will be as prepared as possible for what awaits him at Hampden.

Warburton said: “I’m very fortunate to have access to people like John Greig and Walter Smith. I also have a couple of friends down south that I speak to.

“Those people have been there and done it. They have a wealth of experience and you have to respect that.

“But at the end of the day, it is about myself and David and what we think as a group of staff.

“The game has moved and now we have to deal with it. Hopefully, we can put our fingerprint on it and make the right impression.

“It’s fantastic. Someone like Walter Smith has been outstanding. He comes in after games and is great to talk to.

“You can hear his views on the game, views on individuals, views on passages of play. There are different ideas there.

“To be able to tap into someone like Walter Smith is a fantastic benefit to have.”

It is not just Warburton who will get his first taste of the Old Firm experience tomorrow afternoon when the action finally gets underway after weeks of talking.

For most of his players, the Celtic clash will be like nothing they have ever encountered, but the rewards are there to be grasped if they can raise their game and rise to the occasion.

Warburton said: “It’s about saying to them: realise it. If you’re a bricklayer and you haven’t got the skills to do the job then you’re under pressure.

“But if you know you’re qualified, you know you can do the job, you’ve prepared well, trained well and eaten well and recovered well, then go and enjoy it.

“Rest easy the night before and have absolute belief in how good you can be and go and enjoy the occasion. The worst thing you can do is walk off the pitch with regrets.

“Six or seven could revel in it and Celtic might have players who wobble under the occasion as well. Who knows?

“We can’t answer that but all I know is we have boys who have come through a strong academy system down south as well, boys who have played in Champions League games and whatever else, so they are used to big games. They’ll be fine.”