4 key Celtic vs Rangers battlegrounds that could decide Scottish Cup final as McGregor and Cantwell feud set to reignite

It's arguably the biggest Scottish Cup Final in recent memory as Celtic meet Rangers at the Hampden showpiece for the first time in 22 years.

If it was played two months ago the narrative might have been different but it's the Premiership champions who are the favourites going in. A big finish to the league season saw them win eight from nine while their rivals spluttered - and a neck-and-neck title race quickly turned into an eight-point stroll for Celtic who are out to make it a Double at Hampden.

But despite the sense of gloom threatening to engulf Philippe Clement and Rangers, they too can make it a Double - and shift the mood music ahead of a big summer. They already won the League Cup in December and adding this one to their cabinet would be a welcome beacon of hope that brighter times lie ahead. Clement says he's ready to take some risks and it will be an intriguing battle all over the pitch - so Record Sport have picked out the four areas that could decide it.

Maeda vs Tavernier

James Forrest has been the man grabbing the headlines for Celtic recently but rapid wing man Daizen Maeda has flown under the radar as a key player for Brendan Rodgers. He's been their most-used winger in terms of minutes on the pitch this season, and the tone for the chaotic 3-3 derby at Ibrox in April was set when he nipped in behind James Tavernier within a minute and scored a freakish opener. The Rangers captain has something to prove after that one and, if this does prove to be his swansong as many fans are speculating, he'll be keen to sign off on a high. But he'll have to find a balance to his game to do that with the electric Maeda on his heels.

Cantwell vs McGregor

He was left out of the last derby altogether but since then, Todd Cantwell has shown he's an influential player for Clement. He's scored in his last two and, with Tom Lawrence a fitness doubt, he seems likely to come back in here. He's got a bit to prove in Scottish football and, if he is the man charged with creating in the No.10 position at Hampden, he'll have to do it against the very best.

Because you know Celtic skipper Callum McGregor will be up for the fight. He's been playing some of his very best stuff again after a slow start to his return from injury and, with no love lost between this pair, whoever gets the better of it is likely to get their hands on the trophy.

Dessers vs Carter-Vickers

He's been described as Scottish football's Darwin Nunez and that could be the most accurate summary yet of Rangers' chaos creator in chief. Many fans feel they could do better up front but 22 goals for the season is not a return to be snuffed at for the Nigerian - though he often needs four good chances to score one. He broke his derby duck in the 2-1 league defeat to Celtic at Parkhead earlier this month - his first strike in four appearances against the Hoops. Cameron Carter-Vickers will be determined to keep that run going. The American is the rock at the back that holds Celtic together and he'll be relishing another tussle with Dessers - and fancying his chances after an impressive season alongside Liam Scales.

O'Riley vs Diomande

Is it the best individual season at Celtic since Moussa Dembele? Quite possibly. Matt O'Riley has been simply unplayable and you feel only Lawrence Shankland's ridiculous scoring antics stopped him sweeping up the SPFL Player of the Year awards. 19 goals and 18 assists from central midfield is absurd, and you wouldn't want to be the man charged with keeping tabs on him at Hampden.

Who is that likely to be? Mohamed Diomande has been the linchpin in the Rangers engine room recently and John Lundstram's red card in the last derby means he's likely to take on that role again. If he wants to be a key player for Rangers going forward, he'll need to show he can mix it with the best. And, wherever his career goes from here, he won't come up against many better than O'Riley.