Nico Raskin insists it is hugely important that Rangers produce a victory over Celtic this weekend in the Scottish Cup.

The midfielder arrived in Glasgow in January and has quickly adapted to the Scottish game, but like his manager Michael Beale, he has failed to produce a win over Ange Postecoglou's Hoops.

Despite this, Raskin believes the gap is closing between Rangers and Celtic and the Belgian youngster has a positive "feeling" that he and his teammates can produce the goods at Hampden Park.

He told Sky Sports: "It's very important for two reasons. Rangers we need to win something for the season and it is our last chance, we also want to win against them.

"The last game we lost but we have another feeling, we are not that far from them.

"We had some chances, okay, they won, so now we focus even more on ourselves, and we go with a strong team and mentality, and go for it.

"The atmosphere was great [at the League Cup final], the half-and-half stadium was great, now we want to make our fans proud.

"The last time we lost this game and it was painful to see them enjoying it with their fans and see our fans sad. We will go for it.

"I am waiting to play in the Old Firm at our stadium, I have played there [Celtic Park] and Hampden.

"You can feel the atmosphere, it is great. When you have 60,000 that are so passionate you can feel it.

"It is something you don't see in every country. You need to see it and feel it to understand what it is."

Meanwhile, Willie Collum will take charge of Sunday’s Scottish Cup semi-final between Celtic and Rangers.

Collum’s last appointment to a derby between the pair was for Celtic’s 2-1 win at Ibrox in April last year.

The experienced official was the referee for last season’s Scottish Cup final, when Rangers beat Hearts 2-0.

Steven McLean will be the video assistant referee for the Hampden clash.

Saturday’s semi-final between Falkirk and Inverness will be officiated by Nick Walsh.