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The players head out to a thunderous reception, Hampden split down the middle between blue and green. For the right to face St Mirren FC in this stadium next month … the action begins.

Other Matches

More matches: John Brewin offers real-time commentary for West Ham v Newcastle in England's top flight; Yara El-Shaboury delivers fresh updates from the day's opening matches in the Women's Super League.

Regarding our coverage, we're only five minutes away before the start at Hampden!

Match Officials

Nick Walsh will referee today. He previously officiated last year's Scottish Cup final involving Celtic and Rangers and a continental game in the last term during which he issued four sending-offs and a dozen bookings. Steer clear of confrontation.

Manager Insights

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

I recollect when Hansi Flick assumed control, our second game was versus Dortmund at home. We secured a 4-0 victory. It is always a booster if you win such a game. Additionally, in the EFL Championship in the Sheffield derby, I was involved in that as well. I know what it means for the fans. This is more than just a game.

The 36-year-old German has been complimenting the enduring career of 73-year-old Martin O'Neill.

I have tremendous respect for that type of coaching legacy. I consider it consistently remarkable in this profession when you sustain your career over decades in this business and you are successful.

I am just at the beginning my professional journey. I have substantial work ahead to achieve similar status though the encouraging factor we start at 0-0, distinct coaching generations and we'll observe what we can demonstrate with our teams in this fixture.

I am very excited. I've gained some experience but I expect an enormous event this Sunday. To participate in such a match, it's all or nothing. Success secures a final place, defeat means elimination. I think everything is on for a great, great game.

Rival Coach

The Celtic manager: The temporary Celtic boss has recently been recalling concerning his debut match against Rangers 25 years ago, the famous 6-2 demolition.

Well, replicating that may prove quite arduous, putting six past them against those opponents. I would take an unattractive 1-0 win if we managed to secure it. Some lads come up and inform me: 'That was an amazing match', though they weren't alive then. They inform me their family members discussed it frequently. It became a really pivotal match for our club, not merely in that term, but likely for future progress.

The anxiety for approximately three days prior to the match, and then should you secure success, a great relief. And I feel that's precisely the legendary Walter Smith used to say about it as well, that comfort surpassed other feelings. However these were magnificent contests genuinely. It continues to be a superb rivalry.

This represents an important match for us. Truthfully, don't hide that reality. It's a semi-final, it's a big match for us. Every Old Firm match constitutes a significant occasion, though especially considering the situation of the recent days, if not recent weeks, definitely.

Managerial Experience

Two fresh managers in the dugouts today though there's a significant difference in rivalry knowledge among them. Danny Röhl is experiencing his first leading Rangers while Martin O'Neill gets ready to manage his 28th such match.

The outcome today might significantly influence on how long O'Neill's return as temporary Celtic manager continues, as Ewan Murray has considered.

The club might spend £5m in compensation to lure Kieran McKenna away from Ipswich. They might consider an even bigger gamble involving Robbie Keane. The reigning champions may opt to give Club Brugge's Nicky Hayen a debut opportunity in British football. These represent risks in their own way. More than O'Neill? This is debatable.

First XIs

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 features instead of Kieran Tierney in the left-back position. James Forrest is additionally excluded from the first team that beat 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 gets the nod over Max Aarons in the right flank position, with Mohamed Diomande coming in replacing the banned Connor Barron in midfield and Thelo Aasgaard chosen over Mikey Moore in forward roles.

Preamble

Good afternoon and welcome to this Old Firm clash. It ought to be superior {than last time|compared to the previous meeting|versus