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The teams emerge to a thunderous reception, Hampden Park separated evenly between blue and green. For the opportunity to face St Mirren here next month … it all kicks off.

Other Matches

More matches: John Brewin provides live updates for West Ham vs Newcastle in England's top flight; Yara El-Shaboury brings the newest developments from the initial games in the Women's Super League.

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

Match Officials

Nick Walsh is the man in the middle this afternoon. He previously officiated last year's Scottish Cup final between Celtic and Rangers plus a European fixture the previous campaign when he distributed four sending-offs and twelve cautions. Steer clear of confrontation.

Coaching Perspectives

Danny Röhl: While this is his first Old Firm, the recently appointed boss has emphasized in recent days that he's accustomed to participating in other significant derbies as a coach, at Bayern Munich plus his stint at Wednesday.

I recollect when Hansi Flick assumed control, our following match was at home against Dortmund. We triumphed 4-0. It is always a booster when you triumph in such matches. Additionally, in the Championship in the Steel derby, I was involved in that as well. I recognize the importance to the supporters. This represents more than a simple match.

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

I feel a big respect for such a managerial journey. I consider it consistently remarkable as a manager when you work so long in this business and achieve success.

I'm only starting out of my career. I have substantial work ahead to reach that level but the good thing is we commence evenly matched, different generations and we'll observe what we can bring through our squads in this fixture.

I'm tremendously excited. I've accumulated certain experiences but I expect a massive occasion during Sunday's match. To be involved in this fixture, the stakes are extremely high. You win, you go into the final, you lose, you're out. I believe all factors align for a magnificent contest.

Counterpart Perspective

Martin O'Neill: The stand-in manager has been reflecting this week concerning his debut match with Rangers two and a half decades past, the 6-2 'Demolition Derby'.

Now, repeating that performance might be extremely difficult, scoring six goals against that side. I would take a really lousy 1-0 victory if we could get it. Certain supporters approach and mention to me: 'That was an amazing match', despite not being born at the time. They tell me their ancestors and parents were talking about it. It became a really pivotal match for our club, not just that season, but possibly for sustained development.

The tension for nearly 72 hours beforehand, and then should you secure success, significant comfort. And I believe that's exactly the great Walter Smith frequently stated similarly, that it was relief more than anything else. 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 encounter, it's a big match for our side. Any Celtic-Rangers game constitutes a significant occasion, however specifically because of the conditions of the recent days, possibly even months, certainly.

Dugout History

Two different coaches leading their teams today though there's a significant difference in Old Firm experience among them. Danny Röhl is experiencing his first as the Rangers boss while Martin O'Neill gets ready to manage his 28th such match.

Today's result might significantly influence on how long O'Neill's comeback as (interim, for now) Celtic boss continues, as Ewan Murray has been pondering.

They could potentially invest £5m in compensation to coax Kieran McKenna from Ipswich. They might consider an even bigger gamble with Robbie Keane. The title holders could decide to provide Nicky Hayen from Club Brugge a first taste of British football. These constitute chances in their own way. Even more than O'Neill? This remains questionable.

Team Selections

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 begins instead of Kieran Tierney in the left-back position. James Forrest is also omitted from the starting lineup that defeated Falkirk during the week.

Rangers (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 over Max Aarons on the right, with Mohamed Diomande coming in taking Connor Barron's suspended place in central areas and Thelo Aasgaard preferred instead of Mikey Moore in forward roles.

Preamble

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