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Match Coverage

The teams emerge into the noise, Hampden split down the middle between blue and green. To earn the chance to play St Mirren at this venue in December … here we go.

Other Matches

Other football: John Brewin is on our minute-by-minute coverage for West Ham vs Newcastle in the Premier League; Yara El-Shaboury has all the latest from the initial games in the Women's Super League.

Turning to this match, we're only five minutes away before the start at Hampden!

Match Officials

Nick Walsh is the man in the middle this match. He was also the referee for last year's Scottish Cup final between Celtic and Rangers and a Europa League match the previous campaign when he distributed four dismissals and 12 yellows. Don't cross him.

Manager Insights

The German coach: While this is his first Old Firm, the new Rangers manager has emphasized in recent days that he's accustomed to taking part in other major rivalries in his coaching career, with Bayern Munich and with Sheffield Wednesday.

I recall when Hansi Flick assumed control, our following match was versus Dortmund at home. We won 4-0. It is always a booster when you triumph in such matches. As well, in the Championship during the Steel City derby, I participated there too. I recognize the importance to the supporters. This is more than just a game.

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

I hold great admiration for that type of coaching legacy. I believe it's always impressive in this profession when you work so long in this field and accomplish your objectives.

I'm only starting out my coaching path. There's much work remaining to achieve similar status however the positive aspect we begin level, different generations and we'll observe what we can bring via our selections in this game.

I am very excited. I've gained some experience but I expect an enormous event this Sunday. To be involved in this fixture, the stakes are extremely high. Success secures a final place, defeat means elimination. I believe all factors align for an outstanding match.

Counterpart Perspective

Martin O'Neill: The Celtic interim manager has been reflecting this week about his first meeting with Rangers 25 years ago, the famous 6-2 demolition.

Certainly, matching that achievement might be extremely difficult, scoring six goals against those opponents. I would accept a really lousy 1-0 victory should we achieve it. Some lads come up and mention to me: 'That was a great game', despite not being born at the time. They tell me their ancestors and parents spoke about it regularly. It evolved into a decisive encounter for us, not only during that campaign, but probably for continuing on.

The anxiety for approximately three days before, and then should you secure success, tremendous relief. And I believe that's exactly the great Walter Smith often mentioned too, that comfort surpassed other feelings. Yet these represented superb matches truly. It continues to be a superb rivalry.

This represents an important match for our club. Really, don't disguise that at all. It's a semi-final encounter, it's a crucial contest for our side. Every Old Firm match is a big game, however specifically because of the circumstances of recent times, possibly even months, definitely.

Managerial Experience

Two fresh managers on the sidelines this afternoon yet there's a substantial disparity in Old Firm experience between them. Danny Röhl encounters his inaugural leading Rangers whereas Martin O'Neill prepares to oversee of his 28th.

Today's result may substantially affect on the duration O'Neill's comeback as temporary Celtic manager lasts, as Ewan Murray has been pondering.

They could potentially invest five million pounds in compensation to persuade Kieran McKenna from Ipswich. They might consider a more significant chance on Robbie Keane. The reigning champions may opt to give Nicky Hayen from Club Brugge an initial experience of British football. These represent risks to varying degrees. Even more than O'Neill? This remains questionable.

Team Selections

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

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

Marcelo Sarrachi begins ahead of Kieran Tierney at left-back. James Forrest is additionally excluded of the XI that overcame Falkirk in midweek.

Rangers (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 receives preference ahead of Max Aarons on the right, with Mohamed Diomande coming in taking Connor Barron's suspended place in central areas and Thelo Aasgaard preferred instead of Mikey Moore in forward roles.

Preamble

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