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The squads take the field into the noise, Hampden separated evenly with blue and green sections. To earn the chance to face St Mirren at this venue in December … here we go.

Additional Fixtures

More matches: John Brewin is on our minute-by-minute coverage for West Ham vs Newcastle in the EPL; Yara El-Shaboury brings the newest developments from the early kick-offs in the WSL.

As for us, we're only five minutes away until kick-off at Hampden!

Officiating Team

Nick Walsh will referee today. He previously officiated last year's Scottish Cup final featuring these two rivals plus a European fixture last season where he showed four sending-offs and a dozen bookings. Steer clear of confrontation.

Dugout Views

The Rangers manager: Despite this being his debut in this fixture, the new Rangers manager has made it clear recently that he's familiar with being involved in other important local clashes in his coaching career, during his time at Bayern and with Sheffield Wednesday.

I recall during Hansi Flick's appointment, our second game was at home against Dortmund. We secured a 4-0 victory. It always provides a lift if you win such a game. Additionally, in England's second tier in the Sheffield derby, I was also part [of it] there. I understand the significance among the followers. This represents more than a simple match.

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

I hold great admiration for such a coaching career. I consider it consistently remarkable for a coach when you sustain your career over decades in this business and accomplish your objectives.

I am just at the beginning my coaching path. I have a lot of work to do to reach that level though the encouraging factor we commence evenly matched, separate eras and we'll observe what we can demonstrate with our teams in this fixture.

I'm incredibly enthusiastic. I've gained some experience yet I foresee an enormous event this Sunday. To be part of such a game, it's all or nothing. You win, you go into the final, defeat means elimination. I think everything is on for a great, great game.

Counterpart Perspective

The experienced boss: The temporary Celtic boss has recently been recalling about his first meeting against Rangers 25 years ago, the famous 6-2 demolition.

Now, repeating that performance might be extremely difficult, netting six times against that side. I'd settle for a scrappy single-goal triumph should we achieve it. Various individuals tell me and say to me: 'That was a great game', though they weren't alive then. They tell me their ancestors and parents were talking about it. It transformed into a crucial game for us, not merely in that term, but likely for future progress.

The anxiety for approximately three days beforehand, and then if you got the result, a great relief. And I believe that's exactly the legendary Walter Smith often mentioned too, that comfort surpassed other feelings. However these were magnificent contests truly. It remains a wonderful encounter.

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

Coaching Background

Two new managers on the sidelines this afternoon yet there's a substantial disparity in Old Firm experience separating them. Danny Röhl faces his debut as Rangers manager whereas Martin O'Neill prepares to oversee his twenty-eighth.

Today's result might significantly influence regarding the tenure O'Neill's second spell as stand-in Celtic coach persists, as Ewan Murray has reflected.

They could potentially invest five million pounds in compensation to persuade Kieran McKenna from Ipswich. They could take a more significant chance involving Robbie Keane. The title holders may opt to give Club Brugge's Nicky Hayen a debut opportunity within British soccer. These constitute chances in different manners. More than O'Neill? This is arguable.

Starting Lineups

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

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

Marcelo Sarrachi starts ahead of Kieran Tierney on the left defensive flank. James Forrest is also omitted of the XI that overcame Falkirk in their recent match.

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 instead of Max Aarons on the right, with Mohamed Diomande coming in taking Connor Barron's suspended place in the middle and Thelo Aasgaard preferred over Mikey Moore in attack.

Opening Context

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