Dundee United boss Jackie McNamara says the League Cup is like going “back to the old days”.
The New Firm of United and Aberdeen were drawn together on Saturday night, with the other tie pairing Celtic against Rangers.
The games will be played at neutral venues on the weekend of January 31/February 1.
McNamara said: “I think it is a good draw, the New Firm and the Old Firm. It is back to the old days.
“It is a great one for everybody and I am sure Aberdeen will be happy with the draw as well.”
Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes said: “Any game at the semi-final stage of a tournament is going to be difficult and both teams will see it as a real opportunity to get to a final.”
Meanwhile, Glasgow faces three months of hype over the first derby for more than two years, but Celtic striker Anthony Stokes knows they have to play the game and not the occasion when the tie comes around.
Celtic and Rangers will meet for the first time since April 2012, which came months before the Ibrox club were consigned to liquidation.
The re-formed Rangers had so far avoided Celtic in cup competitions but both sets of players were apparently cheering when the draw was made.
However, Stokes knows that players cannot get too caught up in the emotion of the occasion, although he accepts that his words of advice to the players who have not experienced the game cannot prepare them for what is in store.
The Irishman was booked 70 seconds into his Old Firm debut in October 2010 for a tackle on Sasa Papac that would probably have earned a red card if it had not come so early in proceedings, which culminated in a 3-1 win for Rangers.
Stokes said: “I think you have to play in it (to understand it).”
When asked what reaction the draw sparked in the dressing room after Celtic’s 1-0 win over Inverness, Stokes said: “There were a few cheers. I think it’s the draw everyone wanted, the fans and ourselves.
“I think everyone misses the rivalry. I’ve said it before, when Rangers are back in the top flight it will bring more competition and will be better for all the clubs, not just ourselves.”
“It’s a one-off game and we are just looking forward to it now.”