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Match Coverage

The players head out into the noise, Hampden Park separated evenly into blue and green. For the opportunity to play St Mirren FC at this venue in December … the action begins.

Other Football

More matches: John Brewin provides live updates for West Ham v Newcastle in England's top flight; Yara El-Shaboury brings the newest developments from the day's opening matches in the WSL.

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

Match Officials

Nick Walsh takes charge today. He also refereed last year's Scottish Cup final featuring these two rivals and a Europa League match in the last term when he distributed four dismissals and twelve cautions. Steer clear of confrontation.

Manager Insights

Danny Röhl: Despite this being his debut in this fixture, the new Rangers manager has emphasized this week that he's accustomed to being involved in other important local clashes in his coaching career, at Bayern Munich and with Sheffield Wednesday.

I can remember during Hansi Flick's appointment, our subsequent fixture was versus Dortmund at home. We triumphed 4-0. It consistently offers motivation when you triumph in such matches. Furthermore, in the EFL Championship in the Steel derby, I was also part [of it] there. I know what it means to the supporters. This transcends ordinary football.

The 36-year-old German has been complimenting Martin O'Neill's lengthy tenure at 73.

I have tremendous respect for that type of coaching legacy. I think it is always great for a coach when you remain active for so many years in this field and achieve success.

I'm only starting out my coaching path. There's much work remaining to come to this point however the positive aspect we start at 0-0, distinct coaching generations and we'll discover what we can contribute via our selections in this game.

I am very excited. I've accumulated certain experiences though I anticipate a big, big one on Sunday. To be part of such a game, the stakes are extremely high. Success secures a final place, a loss ends your participation. I think everything is on for a magnificent contest.

Rival Coach

Martin O'Neill: The Celtic interim manager has this week been reminiscing regarding his initial encounter with Rangers 25 years ago, the 6-2 'Demolition Derby'.

Well, replicating that could be very challenging, netting six times against those opponents. I would accept a scrappy single-goal triumph if we could get it. Some lads come up and inform me: 'That was a fantastic encounter', and they weren't even born. They relate to me their family members discussed it frequently. It evolved into a decisive encounter for our team, not just that season, but possibly for sustained development.

The anxiety for approximately three days prior to the match, and then should you secure success, a great relief. And I believe that's exactly the legendary Walter Smith frequently stated similarly, that comfort surpassed other feelings. Yet these represented superb matches really. It remains a wonderful encounter.

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

Dugout History

Two fresh managers on the sidelines this afternoon but there's a big gap in derby experience between them. Danny Röhl encounters his inaugural as the Rangers boss while Martin O'Neill gets ready to manage his twenty-eighth.

The outcome today might significantly influence regarding the tenure O'Neill's second spell as (interim, for now) Celtic boss persists, as Ewan Murray has reflected.

The club might spend substantial compensation to lure Kieran McKenna from Ipswich Town. They may attempt an even bigger gamble with Robbie Keane. The Scottish champions could decide to provide Club Brugge's Nicky Hayen an initial experience within British soccer. These represent risks in different manners. More than O'Neill? This remains questionable.

Starting Lineups

Celtic (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 preferred to Kieran Tierney on the left defensive flank. James Forrest is also omitted from the first team that beat Falkirk in their recent match.

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 instead of Max Aarons on the right side, featuring Mohamed Diomande taking Connor Barron's suspended place in the middle with Thelo Aasgaard favored to Mikey Moore in attack.

Opening Context

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