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Match Coverage

The teams emerge to a thunderous reception, Hampden divided in two between blue and green. For the right to play St Mirren FC in this stadium in December … 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 day's opening matches in the Women's Super League.

As for us, we're only five minutes away before the game begins at Hampden Park!

Officiating Team

Nick Walsh is the man in the middle today. He also refereed last year's Scottish Cup final featuring these two rivals plus a European fixture last season when he distributed four dismissals and a dozen bookings. Avoid challenging him.

Coaching Perspectives

Danny Röhl: Despite this being his debut in this fixture, the fresh-faced gaffer has made it clear in recent days that he's used to participating in other significant derbies during his managerial journey, with Bayern Munich plus his stint at Wednesday.

I can remember when Hansi Flick assumed control, our subsequent fixture took place against Dortmund at our stadium. We triumphed 4-0. It always provides a lift when you triumph in such matches. Additionally, in the EFL Championship in the Sheffield derby, I participated there too. I know what it means for the fans. This transcends ordinary football.

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

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

I'm merely commencing of my career. There's much work remaining to reach that level though the encouraging factor we begin level, different generations and we'll observe what we can demonstrate with our teams in this encounter.

I'm tremendously excited. I've gained some experience yet I foresee a big, big one on Sunday. To be involved in this fixture, it's all or nothing. Victory means reaching the final, you lose, you're out. I feel all elements converge for an outstanding match.

Opposition Manager

Martin O'Neill: The temporary Celtic boss has been reflecting this week regarding his initial encounter versus their rivals two and a half decades past, the memorable 6-2 victory.

Well, replicating that might be extremely difficult, scoring six goals versus that team. I would take a scrappy single-goal triumph should we achieve it. Various individuals tell me and mention to me: 'That was an amazing match', though they weren't alive then. They tell me their family members discussed it frequently. It transformed into a crucial game for us, not just that season, but likely for future progress.

The tension for nearly 72 hours prior to the match, and then should you secure success, significant comfort. And I feel that's precisely the renowned Walter Smith often mentioned too, that it was relief more than anything else. But they were fantastic fixtures genuinely. It remains a wonderful encounter.

This is a big game for our team. Really, don't disguise that at all. It's a semi-final, it's an important game for us. Each encounter between these rivals represents a major event, though especially considering the circumstances of recent times, if not recent weeks, absolutely.

Managerial Experience

Two fresh managers leading their teams today but there's a big gap in Old Firm experience among them. Danny Röhl encounters his inaugural leading Rangers while Martin O'Neill is about to take charge his 28th such match.

This match's conclusion may substantially affect on how long O'Neill's comeback as stand-in Celtic coach continues, as Ewan Murray has reflected.

Celtic could pay five million pounds in compensation to lure Kieran McKenna away from Ipswich. They may attempt a more significant chance with Robbie Keane. The Scottish champions might choose to offer Club Brugge manager Nicky Hayen a first taste in British football. These constitute chances in their own way. Beyond O'Neill? This is debatable.

Team Selections

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 starts instead of Kieran Tierney at left-back. James Forrest is additionally excluded of the XI 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 gets the nod instead of Max Aarons on the right, with Mohamed Diomande coming in replacing the banned Connor Barron in midfield and Thelo Aasgaard chosen over Mikey Moore in attack.

Preamble

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