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The squads take the field to a thunderous reception, Hampden Park separated evenly into blue and green. To earn the chance to play St Mirren FC in this stadium this December … the action begins.

Other Matches

Other football: John Brewin offers real-time commentary for West Ham v Newcastle in the EPL; Yara El-Shaboury brings the newest developments from the early kick-offs in the WSL.

Regarding our coverage, we're only five minutes away before the game begins at the national stadium!

Referee Information

Nick Walsh takes charge today. He was also the referee for last year's Scottish Cup final featuring these two rivals and a Europa League match the previous campaign during which he issued four dismissals and a dozen bookings. Avoid challenging him.

Dugout Views

The German coach: Despite this being his debut in this fixture, the new Rangers manager has made it clear this week that he's familiar with being involved in other major rivalries in his coaching career, at Bayern Munich plus his stint at Wednesday.

I recollect when Hansi Flick took over, our following match was at home against Dortmund. We secured a 4-0 victory. It consistently offers motivation if you win such a game. Additionally, in the Championship in the Steel derby, I was involved in that as well. I know what it means for the fans. This transcends ordinary football.

The young coach has been praising Martin O'Neill's lengthy tenure at 73.

I hold great admiration for that type of coaching legacy. I consider it consistently remarkable for a coach when you work so long in this business and achieve success.

I'm merely commencing of my career. I have substantial work ahead to achieve similar status however the positive aspect we begin level, distinct coaching generations and we'll observe what we can bring through our squads in this game.

I'm incredibly enthusiastic. I have had some experience but I expect an enormous event this Sunday. To be involved in this fixture, everything is at stake. Success secures a final place, defeat means elimination. I feel all elements converge for a magnificent contest.

Rival Coach

The Celtic manager: The Celtic interim manager has this week been reminiscing regarding his initial encounter with Rangers a quarter-century ago, the famous 6-2 demolition.

Well, replicating that may prove quite arduous, putting six past them against that side. I would take an unattractive 1-0 win if we could get it. Certain supporters approach and inform me: 'That was a fantastic encounter', and they weren't even born. They relate to me their grandfathers and fathers were talking about it. It became a really pivotal match for us, not merely in that term, but likely for future progress.

The tension for nearly 72 hours beforehand, and then if you got the result, tremendous relief. And I think that's what 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 is a big game for our club. Truthfully, don't hide that reality. It's a last-four clash, it's a big match for us. Every Old Firm match represents a major event, however specifically because of the circumstances of the past few days, if not recent weeks, absolutely.

Dugout History

Two new managers leading their teams today though there's a significant difference in rivalry knowledge between them. Danny Röhl is experiencing his first as the Rangers boss while Martin O'Neill gets ready to manage his 28th such match.

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

The club might spend £5m in compensation to coax Kieran McKenna from Ipswich Town. They might consider a larger risk involving Robbie Keane. The title holders might choose to offer Club Brugge's Nicky Hayen a first taste in British football. These are all gambles in different manners. Beyond O'Neill? This is debatable.

Starting Lineups

Celtic FC (4-3-3): Schmeichel; Ralston, Trusty, Scales, Sarrachi; McGregor, Engels, Nygren; Maeda, Kenny, Tounekti.

Reserves: Sinisalo, Balikwisha, Yang, Osmand, McCowan, Hatate, Murray, Forrest, Tierney.

Marcelo Sarrachi starts instead of Kieran Tierney on the left defensive flank. James Forrest also drops out from the starting lineup that beat 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 gets the nod over Max Aarons on the right side, including Mohamed Diomande taking Connor Barron's suspended place in the middle and Thelo Aasgaard chosen instead of Mikey Moore in attack.

Match Preview

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