Celtic boss Ronny Deila believes his side’s big-game experience will give them the edge in Sunday’s Scottish Cup semi-final showdown with Old Firm rivals Rangers.

The Bhoys have been the dominant force in Scottish football since Rangers were demoted to the fourth tier in 2012, winning five major honours during the intervening period.

The Hoops remain on course to add to their list of honours this season and Deila believes that the squad’s big-game experience will give them the edge over a Rangers side that has already clinched the Scottish Championship title this season.

He told a news conference: “It’s always positive to have experience and to get used to winning football games, big games. It’s all about experience and using that in a good way. We have played a lot of important games this season and we have done it before as well.”

The Norwegian believes Sunday’s match at Hampden Park will also be a great opportunity for his side to right the wrongs of last season, when they were eliminated at the same stage of the competition by Inverness Caledonian Thistle.
He added: “This is the fourth semi-final we have been to in two years. We are looking forward to it and we see it as a big, big opportunity for us.”

Celtic won the most recent meeting with their great rivals when they secured a 2-0 success in the semi-finals of the Scottish League Cup last season, and they are available at 1.67 to repeat that feat on Sunday, while Rangers are on offer at 4.75 and the draw is priced at 3.80.