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The players head out to a thunderous reception, Hampden Park separated evenly with blue and green sections. For the right to play St Mirren FC here this December … it all kicks off.

Other Football

Additional games: John Brewin is on our minute-by-minute coverage for West Ham v Newcastle in the EPL; Yara El-Shaboury has all the latest from the initial games in the WSL.

As for us, we're only five minutes away before the start at Hampden!

Officiating Team

Nick Walsh will referee this afternoon. He previously officiated last year's Scottish Cup final involving Celtic and Rangers plus a European fixture the previous campaign when he distributed four dismissals and twelve cautions. Don't cross him.

Manager Insights

The German coach: While this is his first Old Firm, the recently appointed boss has stated clearly in recent days that he's accustomed to participating in other important local clashes as a coach, at Bayern Munich and Sheffield Wednesday.

I recall when Hansi Flick took over, our following match was versus Dortmund at home. We won 4-0. It is always a booster following success in these encounters. Additionally, in England's second tier during the Steel City derby, I was also part [of it] there. I recognize the importance to the supporters. This transcends ordinary football.

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

I feel a big respect for such a coaching career. I believe it's always impressive as a manager when you work so long in this business and you are successful.

I am just at the beginning my professional journey. I have a lot of work to do to achieve similar status though the encouraging factor we begin level, separate eras and let's see what we can bring via our selections in this fixture.

I am very excited. I've gained some experience though I anticipate a massive occasion on Sunday. To be part of such a game, the stakes are extremely high. Victory means reaching the final, you lose, you're out. I feel all elements converge for a magnificent contest.

Rival Coach

Martin O'Neill: The stand-in manager has been reflecting this week concerning his debut match with Rangers 25 years ago, the 6-2 'Demolition Derby'.

Well, replicating that may prove quite arduous, putting six past them against that side. I would accept a really lousy 1-0 victory if we managed to secure it. Some lads come up and say to me: 'That was a great game', despite not being born at the time. They relate to me their ancestors and parents spoke about it regularly. It transformed into a crucial game for our team, not just that season, but possibly for sustained development.

The anxiety for approximately three days beforehand, and then should you secure success, tremendous relief. And I think that's what the renowned Walter Smith frequently stated similarly, that relief outweighed other emotions. However these were magnificent contests really. It's still a fantastic fixture.

This constitutes a significant fixture for our club. Truthfully, don't hide that reality. It's a semi-final, it's an important game for our squad. Each encounter between these rivals is a big game, however specifically because of the circumstances of recent times, if not weeks, absolutely.

Dugout History

Two different coaches on the sidelines this afternoon though there's a significant difference in derby experience among them. Danny Röhl encounters his inaugural as the Rangers boss while Martin O'Neill gets ready to manage his 28th such match.

Today's result might significantly influence on how long O'Neill's comeback as stand-in Celtic coach lasts, as Ewan Murray has considered.

Celtic could pay five million pounds in compensation to coax Kieran McKenna away from Ipswich. They could take a more significant chance with Robbie Keane. The reigning champions could decide to provide Nicky Hayen from Club Brugge a debut opportunity of British football. These constitute chances in different manners. Beyond O'Neill? This is arguable.

Team Selections

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 features preferred to Kieran Tierney at left-back. James Forrest is also omitted from the starting lineup that beat Falkirk in midweek.

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, featuring Mohamed Diomande replacing the banned Connor Barron in the middle with Thelo Aasgaard favored instead of Mikey Moore in forward roles.

Opening Context

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