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The players head out amid the roar, Hampden Park separated evenly with blue and green sections. To earn the chance to face St Mirren FC in this stadium next month … here we go.

Additional Fixtures

Other football: John Brewin offers real-time commentary for West Ham v Newcastle in the Premier League; Yara El-Shaboury delivers fresh updates from the early kick-offs in the WSL.

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

Officiating Team

Nick Walsh will referee this match. He was also the referee for last year's Scottish Cup final featuring these two rivals plus a European fixture last season during which he issued four red cards and a dozen bookings. Steer clear of confrontation.

Dugout Views

The German coach: While this is his first Old Firm, the recently appointed boss has stated clearly this week that he's accustomed to participating in other significant derbies in his coaching career, during his time at Bayern and with Sheffield Wednesday.

I recollect during Hansi Flick's appointment, our subsequent fixture took place against Dortmund at our stadium. We triumphed 4-0. It is always a booster if you win such a game. As well, in England's second tier in the Sheffield derby, I was involved in that as well. I know what it means to the supporters. This is more than just a game.

The young coach has been complimenting 73-year-old Martin O'Neill's longevity.

I hold great admiration for that type of coaching legacy. I think it is always great in this profession when you work so long in this industry and accomplish your objectives.

I'm merely commencing my professional journey. I have a lot of work to do to reach that level however the positive aspect we start at 0-0, separate eras and we'll discover what we can demonstrate via our selections in this encounter.

I am very excited. I've accumulated certain experiences though I anticipate a big, big one on Sunday. To participate in such a match, the stakes are extremely high. Success secures a final place, a loss ends your participation. I feel all elements converge for an outstanding match.

Counterpart Perspective

The Celtic manager: The temporary Celtic boss has this week been reminiscing concerning his debut match with Rangers a quarter-century ago, the famous 6-2 demolition.

Well, replicating that might be extremely difficult, scoring six goals versus that team. I would accept a scrappy single-goal triumph if we managed to secure it. Certain supporters approach and mention to me: 'That was a fantastic encounter', and they weren't even born. They inform me their ancestors and parents were talking about it. It transformed into a crucial game for us, not only during that campaign, but likely for future progress.

The tension for nearly 72 hours before, and subsequently if you achieved victory, a great relief. And I believe that's exactly the great Walter Smith used to say about it as well, that it was relief more than anything else. However these were magnificent contests genuinely. It remains a wonderful encounter.

This constitutes a significant fixture for our team. Truthfully, don't hide that reality. It's a semi-final encounter, it's an important game for our squad. Every Old Firm match constitutes a significant occasion, but particularly given the conditions of the recent days, if not weeks, definitely.

Coaching Background

Two different coaches on the sidelines this afternoon yet there's a substantial disparity in Old Firm experience between them. Danny Röhl is experiencing his first leading Rangers while Martin O'Neill gets ready to manage of his 28th.

The outcome today may substantially affect on the duration O'Neill's second spell as temporary Celtic manager lasts, as Ewan Murray has reflected.

Celtic could pay five million pounds in compensation to lure Kieran McKenna from Ipswich. They might consider an even bigger gamble involving Robbie Keane. The title holders may opt to give Club Brugge manager Nicky Hayen a first taste within British soccer. These represent risks in different manners. Beyond O'Neill? This remains questionable.

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 features preferred to Kieran Tierney on the left defensive flank. James Forrest also drops out from the starting lineup that beat Falkirk in midweek.

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 ahead of Max Aarons on the right, with Mohamed Diomande coming in replacing the banned Connor Barron in midfield and Thelo Aasgaard preferred to Mikey Moore in attack.

Match Preview

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