FOR many reading this, there will only be one game to talk about this weekend with Celtic and Rangers going head-to-head for the first time in almost three years.

In truth, I think what makes the last four of the League Cup so interesting is how strong the other semi-final fixture is.

In years gone by, if Celtic and Rangers had met in the semi-final of any competition, you would have thought the winners would really fancy themselves in the final.

With the current Dundee United and Aberdeen teams making up the other half of the draw, though, that's not the case. Neither team will be a pushover in a final.

Looking at today's semi-final, it is a much harder result to call than the one between the two Glasgow teams tomorrow.

Five or 10 years ago, you would have had a terrible time predicting a Celtic v Rangers game, whereas it's the other fixture which is intriguing.

United and Aberdeen can beat each other on any given day and have already demonstrated that this season, but in the other fixture you are talking about the Scottish champions against a Championship team that is currently trailing their title challengers by 13 points. That's the brutal reality of it.

We can talk all we like about the occasion being so different or it being a leveller, but I don't think anyone who has seen both teams really could make a proper case based on their form.

It is not to say upsets don't happen, but you have to start with the premise that it's a game Celtic will win, and win well.

They say absence makes the heart grow fonder. I have to be honest, I'm not from the west of Scotland, so I wasn't raised thinking about the fixture.

But in a professional capacity as a broadcaster, it's a game which has always been part of my life.

This one is going to be enjoyable given how long it has been since Rangers and Celtic last played each other. I'm not one of those people who think we need to have it four times a year as well as in cup competitions; in a sense that is detrimental.

And I believe the build-up to tomorrow is proof positive that people need to miss something for them to look forward to it again.

Looking at the Glasgow derby, some people say it will be a narrow win for Celtic; in my opinion, it will be quite emphatic.

As someone who has seen a lot of both teams - and I may very well be proven wrong - I would go for Celtic to win by two or three.

I also have a feeling for United to win today. Aberdeen are the more solid team, but when Jackie McNamara's side hit the high notes they can beat any team in Scotland. I think they may sneak it 2-1.

Whatever the results, however, what is sure is we are in for a gripping weekend of football.