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The players head out to a thunderous reception, Hampden Park divided in two with blue and green sections. For the opportunity to meet St Mirren FC at this venue next month … it all kicks off.

Other Matches

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

Turning to this match, we're only five minutes away before the start at Hampden!

Match Officials

Nick Walsh is the man in the middle today. He also refereed last year's Scottish Cup final involving Celtic and Rangers and a Europa League match in the last term during which he issued four dismissals and 12 yellows. Steer clear of confrontation.

Dugout Views

The German coach: While this is his first Old Firm, the recently appointed boss has emphasized this week that he's familiar with taking part in other important local clashes as a coach, with Bayern Munich plus his stint at Wednesday.

I recall when Hansi Flick took over, our following match was versus Dortmund at home. We won 4-0. It always provides a lift following success in these encounters. Furthermore, in the EFL Championship in the Sheffield derby, I was involved in that as well. I know what it means for the fans. This represents more than a simple match.

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

I feel a big respect for such a managerial journey. I think it is always great in this profession when you work so long in this industry and achieve success.

I am just at the beginning my professional journey. I have substantial work ahead to come to this point though the encouraging factor we commence evenly matched, different generations and we'll observe what we can contribute through our squads in this fixture.

I'm tremendously excited. I've gained some experience but I expect a big, big one during Sunday's match. To participate in such a match, the stakes are extremely high. You win, you go into the final, you lose, you're out. I feel all elements converge for a magnificent contest.

Rival Coach

The experienced boss: The stand-in manager has this week been reminiscing about his first meeting against Rangers a quarter-century ago, the 6-2 'Demolition Derby'.

Certainly, matching that achievement might be extremely difficult, putting six past them against that side. I would take a scrappy single-goal triumph if we managed to secure it. Various individuals tell me and mention to me: 'That was an amazing match', and they weren't even born. They relate to me their grandfathers and fathers spoke about it regularly. It transformed into a crucial game for our team, not only during that campaign, but likely for future progress.

The anxiety for approximately three days before, and then if you got the result, tremendous relief. And I believe that's exactly the legendary Walter Smith used to say about it as well, that it was relief more than anything else. Yet these represented superb matches genuinely. It remains a wonderful encounter.

This represents an important match for us. Honestly, don't conceal that fact. It's a semi-final, it's an important game for our squad. Every Old Firm match is a big game, though especially considering the situation of the recent days, if not weeks, definitely.

Managerial Experience

Two different coaches leading their teams today but there's a big gap in Old Firm experience among them. Danny Röhl is experiencing his first as the Rangers boss whereas Martin O'Neill prepares to oversee his twenty-eighth.

Today's result may substantially affect on the duration O'Neill's second spell as (interim, for now) Celtic boss persists, as Ewan Murray has reflected.

Celtic could pay substantial compensation to coax Kieran McKenna away from Ipswich. They may attempt an even bigger gamble with Robbie Keane. The Scottish champions may opt to give Nicky Hayen from Club Brugge a debut opportunity of British football. These constitute chances to varying degrees. More than O'Neill? This is debatable.

Starting Lineups

Celtic (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 begins instead of Kieran Tierney at left-back. James Forrest is additionally excluded of the XI that overcame Falkirk during the week.

Rangers FC (3-4-3): Butland; Djiga, Souttar, Cornelius; Tavernier, Diomande, Raskin, Meghoma; Aasgaard, Chermiti, Danilo.

Substitutes: Kelly, Aarons, Fernández, Rothwell, Antman, Moore, Gassama, Curtis, Miovski.

James Tavernier receives preference instead of Max Aarons in the right flank position, including Mohamed Diomande taking Connor Barron's suspended place in central areas and Thelo Aasgaard preferred to 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