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Match Coverage

The teams emerge amid the roar, Hampden separated evenly with blue and green sections. For the right to face St Mirren at this venue next month … it all kicks off.

Other Matches

More matches: John Brewin offers real-time commentary for West Ham vs Newcastle in England's top flight; Yara El-Shaboury brings the newest developments from the early kick-offs in the women's top division.

Turning to this match, there's just over five minutes before the game begins at the national stadium!

Match Officials

Nick Walsh will referee today. He previously officiated last year's Scottish Cup final involving Celtic and Rangers plus a European fixture in the last term where he showed four red cards and twelve cautions. Steer clear of confrontation.

Coaching Perspectives

Danny Röhl: While this is his first Old Firm, the new Rangers manager has made it clear in recent days that he's familiar with participating in other important local clashes during his managerial journey, during his time at Bayern and Sheffield Wednesday.

I recall when Hansi Flick assumed control, our second game was at home against Dortmund. We secured a 4-0 victory. It always provides a lift when you triumph in such matches. As well, in England's second tier in the Steel derby, I was involved in that as well. I recognize the importance for the fans. This represents more than a simple match.

The 36-year-old German has also been lauding the enduring career of 73-year-old Martin O'Neill.

I hold great admiration for such a coaching career. I consider it consistently remarkable in this profession when you work so long in this business and accomplish your objectives.

I am just at the beginning my professional journey. There's much work remaining to achieve similar status though the encouraging factor we start at 0-0, different generations and we'll observe what we can contribute via our selections in this game.

I am very excited. I've gained some experience but I expect an enormous event this Sunday. To participate in such a match, it's all or nothing. You win, you go into the final, a loss ends your participation. I feel all elements converge for an outstanding match.

Rival Coach

The experienced boss: The stand-in manager has this week been reminiscing regarding his initial encounter against Rangers a quarter-century ago, the famous 6-2 demolition.

Now, repeating that performance could be very challenging, putting six past them against those opponents. I'd settle for a really lousy 1-0 victory if we managed to secure it. Various individuals tell me and say to me: 'That was an amazing match', despite not being born at the time. They relate to me their family members spoke about it regularly. It became a really pivotal match for us, not just that season, but probably for continuing on.

The anxiety for approximately three days prior to the match, and then if you got the result, tremendous relief. And I feel that's precisely the legendary Walter Smith used to say about it as well, that relief outweighed other emotions. However these were magnificent contests really. It remains a wonderful encounter.

This constitutes a significant fixture for us. Really, don't disguise that at all. It's a semi-final encounter, it's a crucial contest for us. Each encounter between these rivals is a big game, however specifically because of the circumstances of recent times, if not recent weeks, certainly.

Managerial Experience

Two different coaches in the dugouts today yet there's a substantial disparity in derby experience between them. Danny Röhl is experiencing his first as Rangers manager whereas Martin O'Neill prepares to oversee of his 28th.

This match's conclusion may substantially affect on the duration O'Neill's comeback as (interim, for now) Celtic boss lasts, as Ewan Murray has been pondering.

They could potentially invest £5m in compensation to persuade Kieran McKenna from Ipswich Town. They may attempt a more significant chance on Robbie Keane. The Scottish champions could decide to provide Club Brugge's Nicky Hayen a first taste of British football. These constitute chances in different manners. Even more than O'Neill? This is arguable.

Starting Lineups

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

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

Marcelo Sarrachi starts preferred to Kieran Tierney in the left-back position. James Forrest is also omitted from the first team that beat Falkirk in their recent match.

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

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

James Tavernier receives preference over Max Aarons in the right flank position, including Mohamed Diomande replacing the banned Connor Barron in the middle and Thelo Aasgaard chosen over Mikey Moore in attack.

Preamble

Good afternoon and welcome to this Old Firm clash. It's got to be better {than last time|compared to the previous meeting|versus