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Match Coverage

The teams emerge into the noise, Hampden divided in two with blue and green sections. For the right to play St Mirren at this venue this December … here we go.

Other Matches

More matches: John Brewin provides live updates for West Ham vs Newcastle in England's top flight; Yara El-Shaboury delivers fresh updates from the early kick-offs in the Women's Super League.

Regarding our coverage, approximately five minutes remain until kick-off at the national stadium!

Match Officials

Nick Walsh is the man in the middle today. He was also the referee for last year's Scottish Cup final between Celtic and Rangers and a continental game the previous campaign where he showed four dismissals and 12 yellows. Steer clear of confrontation.

Coaching Perspectives

Danny Röhl: Although this marks his initial Old Firm, the recently appointed boss has stated clearly this week that he's used to participating in other major rivalries as a coach, with Bayern Munich plus his stint at Wednesday.

I recall when Hansi Flick took over, our following match was versus Dortmund at home. We secured a 4-0 victory. It always provides a lift if you win such a game. Additionally, in the EFL Championship during the Steel City derby, I participated there too. I know what it means for the fans. This is more than just a game.

The 36-year-old German 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 as a manager when you sustain your career over decades in this industry and you are successful.

I'm merely commencing of my career. I have substantial work ahead to achieve similar status though the encouraging factor we begin level, separate eras and we'll discover what we can contribute with our teams in this encounter.

I'm incredibly enthusiastic. I've accumulated certain experiences but I expect an enormous event on Sunday. To participate in such a match, it's all or nothing. Success secures a final place, defeat means elimination. I feel all elements converge for a magnificent contest.

Counterpart Perspective

The Celtic manager: The stand-in manager has this week been reminiscing concerning his debut match against Rangers two and a half decades past, the memorable 6-2 victory.

Well, replicating that may prove quite arduous, netting six times against those opponents. I would take a scrappy single-goal triumph if we managed to secure it. Some lads come up and inform me: 'That was a great game', though they weren't alive then. They relate to me their grandfathers and fathers discussed it frequently. It evolved into a decisive encounter for our team, not only during that campaign, but possibly for sustained development.

The tension for nearly 72 hours beforehand, and then if you got the result, tremendous relief. And I feel that's precisely the renowned Walter Smith used to say about it as well, that it was relief more than anything else. But they were fantastic fixtures truly. It remains a wonderful encounter.

This represents an important match for our club. Really, don't disguise that at all. It's a semi-final encounter, it's a big match for our side. Every Old Firm match represents a major event, however specifically because of the conditions of the recent days, if not weeks, absolutely.

Managerial Experience

Two fresh managers in the dugouts today but there's a big gap in Old Firm experience among them. Danny Röhl encounters his inaugural as the Rangers boss while Martin O'Neill is about to take charge of his 28th.

This match's conclusion might significantly influence on the duration O'Neill's return as (interim, for now) Celtic boss persists, as Ewan Murray has reflected.

They could potentially invest substantial compensation to persuade Kieran McKenna from Ipswich Town. They might consider a larger risk on Robbie Keane. The reigning champions could decide to provide Nicky Hayen from Club Brugge a first taste within British soccer. These constitute chances in different manners. More than O'Neill? This is debatable.

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 begins preferred to Kieran Tierney on the left defensive flank. James Forrest is additionally excluded 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.

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

James Tavernier gets the nod over Max Aarons in the right flank position, with Mohamed Diomande coming in taking Connor Barron's suspended place in central areas and Thelo Aasgaard preferred instead of Mikey Moore in offensive positions.

Preamble

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