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The squads take the field amid the roar, Hampden Park separated evenly into blue and green. For the right to meet St Mirren FC in this stadium in December … it all kicks off.

Other Football

Other football: 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 women's top division.

As for us, approximately five minutes remain before the game begins at Hampden Park!

Match Officials

Nick Walsh takes charge today. He previously officiated last year's Scottish Cup final between Celtic and Rangers and a Europa League match last season where he showed four dismissals and a dozen bookings. Steer clear of confrontation.

Dugout Views

The German coach: Despite this being his debut in this fixture, the recently appointed boss has made it clear this week that he's used to participating in other important local clashes as a coach, with Bayern Munich and with Sheffield Wednesday.

I recall when Hansi Flick assumed control, our second game took place against Dortmund at our stadium. We triumphed 4-0. It consistently offers motivation if you win such a game. Furthermore, in the EFL Championship during the Steel City derby, I was involved in that as well. I understand the significance for the fans. This represents more than a simple match.

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

I hold great admiration for that type of coaching legacy. I think it is always great for a coach when you work so long in this business and you are successful.

I'm only starting out of my career. I have substantial work ahead to come to this point but the good thing is we begin level, different generations and we'll discover what we can bring through our squads in this fixture.

I'm tremendously excited. I have had some experience but I expect a big, big one on Sunday. To participate in such a match, it's all or nothing. Victory means reaching the final, defeat means elimination. I think everything is on for a magnificent contest.

Opposition Manager

Martin O'Neill: The stand-in manager has recently been recalling about his first meeting versus their rivals 25 years ago, the memorable 6-2 victory.

Well, replicating that might be extremely difficult, scoring six goals against those opponents. I would take an unattractive 1-0 win if we could get it. Various individuals tell me and say to me: 'That was a great game', despite not being born at the time. They inform me their ancestors and parents spoke about it regularly. It evolved into a decisive encounter for us, not just that season, but probably for continuing on.

The nervousness for about 72 hours beforehand, and subsequently if you achieved victory, tremendous 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's still a fantastic fixture.

This is a big game for our team. Honestly, don't conceal that fact. It's a last-four clash, it's a crucial contest for us. Every Old Firm match is a big game, but particularly given the situation of recent times, if not recent weeks, certainly.

Managerial Experience

Two fresh managers in the dugouts today yet there's a substantial disparity in rivalry knowledge among them. Danny Röhl encounters his inaugural as Rangers manager while Martin O'Neill is about to take charge his 28th such match.

The outcome today may substantially affect regarding the tenure O'Neill's return as (interim, for now) Celtic boss persists, as Ewan Murray has considered.

They could potentially invest substantial compensation to persuade Kieran McKenna from Ipswich. They may attempt an even bigger gamble with Robbie Keane. The Scottish champions may opt to give Club Brugge's Nicky Hayen an initial experience within British soccer. These are all gambles in their own way. Beyond O'Neill? This is arguable.

First XIs

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

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

Marcelo Sarrachi features preferred to Kieran Tierney in the left-back position. James Forrest also drops out from the first team that overcame Falkirk in their recent match.

Rangers (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 is selected instead of Max Aarons on the right, including Mohamed Diomande replacing the banned Connor Barron in midfield and Thelo Aasgaard chosen over Mikey Moore in attack.

Match Preview

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