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The squads take the field to a thunderous reception, Hampden Park divided in two into blue and green. For the opportunity to meet St Mirren in this stadium in December … it all kicks off.

Additional Fixtures

More matches: John Brewin offers real-time commentary for West Ham v Newcastle in the Premier League; Yara El-Shaboury has all the latest from the day's opening matches in the WSL.

Regarding our coverage, there's just over five minutes before the game begins at the national stadium!

Officiating Team

Nick Walsh will referee today. He was also the referee for last year's Scottish Cup final between Celtic and Rangers and a Europa League match last season when he distributed four dismissals and 12 yellows. Avoid challenging him.

Coaching Perspectives

Danny Röhl: While this is his first Old Firm, the recently appointed boss has stated clearly this week that he's used to participating in other significant derbies as a coach, during his time at Bayern plus his stint at Wednesday.

I recollect when Hansi Flick assumed control, our second game was versus Dortmund at home. We secured a 4-0 victory. It is always a booster following success in these encounters. As well, in England's second tier in the Steel derby, I was involved in that as well. I recognize the importance to the supporters. This transcends ordinary football.

The German manager has also been lauding Martin O'Neill's lengthy tenure at 73.

I hold great admiration for such a coaching career. I believe it's always impressive for a coach when you remain active for so many years in this field and accomplish your objectives.

I'm merely commencing of my career. There's much work remaining to come to this point however the positive aspect we begin level, separate eras and let's see what we can contribute via our selections in this encounter.

I am very excited. I have had some experience though I anticipate an enormous event this Sunday. To be part of such a game, the stakes are extremely high. Success secures a final place, a loss ends your participation. I believe all factors align for a magnificent contest.

Opposition Manager

The Celtic manager: The stand-in manager has recently been recalling about his first meeting against Rangers two and a half decades past, the memorable 6-2 victory.

Well, replicating that could be very challenging, scoring six goals against that side. I'd settle for a really lousy 1-0 victory if we could get it. Some lads come up and say to me: 'That was a fantastic encounter', and they weren't even born. They tell me their family members spoke about it regularly. It evolved into a decisive encounter for our club, not just that season, but possibly for sustained development.

The tension for nearly 72 hours beforehand, and then if you got the result, a great relief. And I feel that's precisely the legendary Walter Smith often mentioned too, that comfort surpassed other feelings. But they were fantastic fixtures truly. It continues to be a superb rivalry.

This represents an important match for us. Really, don't disguise that at all. It's a last-four clash, it's an important game for us. Any Celtic-Rangers game constitutes a significant occasion, however specifically because of the conditions of the recent days, if not recent weeks, definitely.

Managerial Experience

Two fresh managers on the sidelines this afternoon yet there's a substantial disparity in Old Firm experience among them. Danny Röhl encounters his inaugural leading Rangers whereas Martin O'Neill prepares to oversee his 28th such match.

This match's conclusion could have a major impact on the duration O'Neill's comeback as stand-in Celtic coach lasts, as Ewan Murray has reflected.

They could potentially invest £5m in compensation to persuade Kieran McKenna away from Ipswich. They might consider an even bigger gamble on Robbie Keane. The reigning champions could decide to provide Club Brugge manager Nicky Hayen an initial experience of British football. These are all gambles in their own way. Beyond O'Neill? This is arguable.

Team Selections

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 starts ahead of Kieran Tierney at left-back. James Forrest also drops out of the XI that overcame Falkirk in midweek.

Rangers (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 in the right flank position, featuring Mohamed Diomande taking Connor Barron's suspended place in the middle with Thelo Aasgaard favored to Mikey Moore in forward roles.

Match Preview

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