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Old Firm derby in Scottish Cup as Celtic draw Rangers in semifinals

Celtic will face Rangers in the semifinals of the Scottish Cup.

The Glasgow rivals were drawn together after Rangers reached the last four with a 4-1 victory over Falkirk at Ibrox.

Rangers coach Graeme Murty said his players cheered when they discovered they had landed Celtic in the draw.

"The sound that came out of the changing room when we were drawn against Celtic was vast," said Murty, who hopes his side can close to within three points of the champions when they clash in the Premiership next weekend.

"The boys loved it, and that shows the mood they're in, the positivity that's going through the changing room and the upturn in our mindset that we're relishing the challenge of pushing on and being better than we were."

Murty has recorded two Parkhead draws in two Old Firm derbies as manager.

And, having watched Rangers score 23 goals over their last six games, he believes there is scope for them to go on the attack both next week and at Hampden.

"The mindset going into the games at Parkhead were that we had to contain them at times but not be afraid to play our football at times," Murty said. "I think it's going to be the same for us here, albeit we might be a bit more aggressive in our selection or the way we're going to play.

"I think you have to be respectful towards their difference-makers and their skill players but you have to try to contain those guys and then not be afraid to unleash the guys that pose a threat for us."

Motherwell's reward for a 2-1 win over Hearts is a Hampden meeting with the winners of the replay between Kilmarnock and Aberdeen at Rugby Park.

The cup semifinals will be played on the weekend of April 14 and April 15.

Assistant manager Keith Lasley was diplomatic when asked whether Motherwell had got the draw they wanted.

"The way Rangers are playing at the moment and obviously the consistency Celtic have shown, then possibly, but you have still got to go and win the game," Lasley, whose side have beaten six Premiership opponents in the cups this season, told BBC Radio Scotland.

"Kilmarnock came to our place a couple of weeks ago and beat us, and we have had tough games against Aberdeen. On paper, it possibly looks like an easier tie than any of the Old Firm, but you have still got to go there on the day and give your best. But if we do that, we feel capable of getting to the final, no doubt."

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