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Match Coverage

The players head out to a thunderous reception, Hampden Park separated evenly into blue and green. For the right to meet St Mirren FC in this stadium next month … it all kicks off.

Additional Fixtures

More matches: John Brewin is on our minute-by-minute coverage for the West Ham-Newcastle clash in the Premier League; Yara El-Shaboury brings the newest developments from the early kick-offs in the Women's Super League.

As for us, there's just over five minutes before the game begins at Hampden Park!

Match Officials

Nick Walsh will referee today. He also refereed last year's Scottish Cup final between Celtic and Rangers plus a European fixture last season during which he issued four sending-offs and a dozen bookings. Avoid challenging him.

Coaching Perspectives

The German coach: Although this marks his initial Old Firm, the fresh-faced gaffer has made it clear recently that he's familiar with taking part in other significant derbies during his managerial journey, at Bayern Munich plus his stint at Wednesday.

I recollect when Hansi Flick assumed control, our second game took place against Dortmund at our stadium. We won 4-0. It is always a booster following success in these encounters. Furthermore, in the EFL Championship in the Steel derby, I was also part [of it] there. I recognize the importance among the followers. This transcends ordinary football.

The young coach has been praising Martin O'Neill's lengthy tenure at 73.

I feel a big respect for such a managerial journey. I think it is always great in this profession when you sustain your career over decades in this industry and you are successful.

I am just at the beginning of my career. I have a lot of work to do to come to this point however the positive aspect we commence evenly matched, separate eras and we'll discover what we can contribute via our selections in this fixture.

I'm incredibly enthusiastic. I've accumulated certain experiences though I anticipate a massive occasion this Sunday. To be part of such a game, it's all or nothing. Success secures a final place, you lose, you're out. I think everything is on for an outstanding match.

Rival Coach

Martin O'Neill: The Celtic interim manager has been reflecting this week concerning his debut match against Rangers a quarter-century ago, the memorable 6-2 victory.

Well, replicating that could be very challenging, scoring six goals against that side. I'd settle for a really lousy 1-0 victory if we could get it. Certain supporters approach and say to me: 'That was an amazing match', though they weren't alive then. They relate to me their grandfathers and fathers discussed it frequently. It evolved into a decisive encounter for us, not merely in that term, but probably for continuing on.

The nervousness for about 72 hours prior to the match, and then should you secure success, significant comfort. And I feel that's precisely the legendary Walter Smith frequently stated similarly, that it was relief more than anything else. Yet these represented superb matches really. It remains a wonderful encounter.

This constitutes a significant fixture for our club. Honestly, don't conceal that fact. It's a semi-final encounter, it's a crucial contest for our side. Each encounter between these rivals constitutes a significant occasion, however specifically because of the conditions of the past few days, if not weeks, absolutely.

Coaching Background

Two fresh managers on the sidelines this afternoon but there's a big gap in Old Firm experience between them. Danny Röhl encounters his inaugural as Rangers manager while Martin O'Neill is about to take charge his twenty-eighth.

Today's result may substantially affect on the duration O'Neill's second spell as (interim, for now) Celtic boss persists, as Ewan Murray has reflected.

The club might spend five million pounds in compensation to lure Kieran McKenna from Ipswich. They could take a more significant chance on Robbie Keane. The title holders might choose to offer Club Brugge manager Nicky Hayen a first taste in British football. These represent risks in different manners. More than 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 starts instead of Kieran Tierney in the left-back position. James Forrest is also omitted of the XI that defeated Falkirk in their recent match.

Rangers (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 gets the nod instead of Max Aarons on the right, featuring Mohamed Diomande taking Connor Barron's suspended place in the middle and Thelo Aasgaard chosen over Mikey Moore in attack.

Opening Context

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