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Match Coverage

The players head out to a thunderous reception, Hampden Park divided in two between blue and green. For the opportunity to face St Mirren at this venue this December … the action begins.

Other Matches

Other football: John Brewin is on our minute-by-minute coverage for the West Ham-Newcastle clash in the EPL; Yara El-Shaboury delivers fresh updates from the day's opening matches in the Women's Super League.

Turning to this match, approximately five minutes remain until kick-off at Hampden Park!

Officiating Team

Nick Walsh takes charge this match. He was also the referee for last year's Scottish Cup final featuring these two rivals and a Europa League match the previous campaign where he showed four dismissals and twelve cautions. Steer clear of confrontation.

Dugout Views

The German coach: While this is his first Old Firm, the recently appointed boss has made it clear this week that he's used to being involved in other significant derbies as a coach, at Bayern Munich and with Sheffield Wednesday.

I can remember when Hansi Flick took over, our subsequent fixture took place against Dortmund at our stadium. We secured a 4-0 victory. It is always a booster if you win such a game. Additionally, in England's second tier in the Sheffield derby, I participated there too. I know what it means to the supporters. This represents more than a simple match.

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

I hold great admiration for such a coaching career. I think it is always great in this profession when you sustain your career over decades in this field and you are successful.

I'm only starting out my professional journey. There's much work remaining to achieve similar status however the positive aspect we start at 0-0, distinct coaching generations and let's see what we can contribute through our squads in this fixture.

I am very excited. I have had some experience but I expect a massive occasion on Sunday. To participate in such a match, it's all or nothing. Success secures a final place, a loss ends your participation. I think everything is on for an outstanding match.

Opposition Manager

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

Now, repeating that performance could be very challenging, netting six times against that side. I would accept a really lousy 1-0 victory if we managed to secure it. Some lads come up and mention to me: 'That was a great game', though they weren't alive then. They inform me their grandfathers and fathers spoke about it regularly. It became a really pivotal match for us, not merely in that term, but probably for continuing on.

The nervousness for about 72 hours beforehand, and then should you secure success, a great relief. And I feel that's precisely the great Walter Smith used to say about it as well, that it was relief more than anything else. However these were magnificent contests really. It continues to be a superb rivalry.

This represents an important match for us. Honestly, don't conceal that fact. It's a last-four clash, it's a crucial contest for our squad. Any Celtic-Rangers game constitutes a significant occasion, however specifically because of the circumstances of the past few days, possibly even months, definitely.

Coaching Background

Two fresh managers on the sidelines this afternoon but there's a big gap in Old Firm experience between them. Danny Röhl is experiencing his first as the Rangers boss whereas Martin O'Neill prepares to oversee of his 28th.

Today's result might significantly influence on how long O'Neill's second spell as (interim, for now) Celtic boss lasts, as Ewan Murray has considered.

Celtic could pay substantial compensation to coax Kieran McKenna from Ipswich. They could take an even bigger gamble involving Robbie Keane. The Scottish champions may opt to give Club Brugge's Nicky Hayen a debut opportunity within British soccer. These are all gambles to varying degrees. Even more than O'Neill? This is arguable.

First XIs

Celtic FC (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 starts preferred to Kieran Tierney on the left defensive flank. James Forrest also drops out from the first team that overcame Falkirk in midweek.

Rangers FC (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 is selected ahead of Max Aarons on the right, with Mohamed Diomande coming in replacing the banned Connor Barron in the middle with Thelo Aasgaard favored instead of Mikey Moore in offensive positions.

Preamble

Good afternoon and welcome to this derby match. It's got to be better {than last time|compared to the previous meeting|versus