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The squads take the field to a thunderous reception, Hampden Park separated evenly with blue and green sections. To earn the chance to play St Mirren here this December … here we go.

Other Matches

Other football: John Brewin is on our minute-by-minute coverage for West Ham v Newcastle in England's top flight; Yara El-Shaboury brings the newest developments from the day's opening matches in the WSL.

Regarding our coverage, there's just over five minutes before the start at Hampden Park!

Officiating Team

Nick Walsh will referee this match. He previously officiated last year's Scottish Cup final featuring these two rivals plus a European fixture last season during which he issued four red cards and a dozen bookings. Avoid challenging him.

Dugout Views

The German coach: Despite this being his debut in this fixture, the new Rangers manager has made it clear this week that he's accustomed to participating in other important local clashes during his managerial journey, during his time at Bayern plus his stint at Wednesday.

I recollect when Hansi Flick took over, our subsequent fixture was versus Dortmund at home. We won 4-0. It consistently offers motivation following success in these encounters. Furthermore, in the Championship in the Sheffield derby, I was also part [of it] there. I know what it means among the followers. This transcends ordinary football.

The German manager has also been lauding 73-year-old Martin O'Neill's longevity.

I hold great admiration for such a coaching career. I consider it consistently remarkable for a coach when you work so long in this field and achieve success.

I'm only starting out of my career. There's much work remaining to achieve similar status however the positive aspect we commence evenly matched, different generations and let's see what we can demonstrate through our squads in this encounter.

I am very excited. I've gained some experience though I anticipate a big, big one during Sunday's match. To be involved in this fixture, everything is at stake. Victory means reaching the final, defeat means elimination. I believe all factors align for a great, great game.

Rival Coach

The experienced boss: The temporary Celtic boss has recently been recalling concerning his debut match versus their rivals a quarter-century ago, the memorable 6-2 victory.

Now, repeating that performance might be extremely difficult, scoring six goals versus that team. I would accept a really lousy 1-0 victory should we achieve it. Certain supporters approach and inform me: 'That was a great game', though they weren't alive then. They relate to me their family members were talking about it. It became a really pivotal match for our club, not just that season, but likely for future progress.

The anxiety for approximately three days beforehand, and then should you secure success, tremendous relief. And I feel that's precisely the great Walter Smith often mentioned too, that it was relief more than anything else. However these were magnificent contests truly. It's still a fantastic fixture.

This represents an important match for our team. Really, don't disguise that at all. It's a semi-final encounter, it's an important game for our side. Any Celtic-Rangers game is a big game, though especially considering the situation of recent times, if not recent weeks, certainly.

Coaching Background

Two different coaches on the sidelines this afternoon though there's a significant difference in Old Firm experience separating them. Danny Röhl faces his debut leading Rangers whereas Martin O'Neill prepares to oversee his 28th such match.

This match's conclusion could have a major impact regarding the tenure O'Neill's return as temporary Celtic manager lasts, as Ewan Murray has been pondering.

The club might spend five million pounds in compensation to lure Kieran McKenna from Ipswich Town. They might consider a larger risk on Robbie Keane. The title holders may opt to give Nicky Hayen from Club Brugge an initial experience in British football. These represent risks to varying degrees. Beyond O'Neill? This is debatable.

Team Selections

Celtic FC (4-3-3): Schmeichel; Ralston, Trusty, Scales, Sarrachi; McGregor, Engels, Nygren; Maeda, Kenny, Tounekti.

Reserves: Sinisalo, Balikwisha, Yang, Osmand, McCowan, Hatate, Murray, Forrest, Tierney.

Marcelo Sarrachi features preferred to Kieran Tierney at left-back. James Forrest is also omitted from the first team that overcame Falkirk in midweek.

Rangers FC (3-4-3): Butland; Djiga, Souttar, Cornelius; Tavernier, Diomande, Raskin, Meghoma; Aasgaard, Chermiti, Danilo.

Subs: Kelly, Aarons, Fernández, Rothwell, Antman, Moore, Gassama, Curtis, Miovski.

James Tavernier is selected ahead of Max Aarons in the right flank position, including Mohamed Diomande taking Connor Barron's suspended place in the middle and Thelo Aasgaard chosen instead of Mikey Moore in attack.

Opening Context

Hello and welcome to the Old Firm. It ought to be superior {than last time|compared to the previous meeting|versus