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The teams emerge amid the roar, Hampden Park separated evenly with blue and green sections. For the right to play St Mirren FC here next month … the action begins.

Additional Fixtures

More matches: John Brewin offers real-time commentary for West Ham v Newcastle in England's top flight; Yara El-Shaboury brings the newest developments from the initial games in the WSL.

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

Officiating Team

Nick Walsh will referee this afternoon. He previously officiated last year's Scottish Cup final featuring these two rivals and a Europa League match the previous campaign where he showed four dismissals and a dozen bookings. Steer clear of confrontation.

Coaching Perspectives

The German coach: Although this marks his initial Old Firm, the fresh-faced gaffer has stated clearly this week that he's used to taking part in other significant derbies as a coach, with Bayern Munich and with Sheffield Wednesday.

I recollect when Hansi Flick took over, our subsequent fixture was versus Dortmund at home. We triumphed 4-0. It always provides a lift when you triumph in such matches. Additionally, in England's second tier in the Steel derby, I was also part [of it] there. I know what it means to the supporters. This transcends ordinary football.

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

I have tremendous respect for that type of coaching legacy. I think it is always great for a coach when you remain active for so many years in this business and you are successful.

I am just at the beginning my coaching path. I have a lot of work to do to reach that level but the good thing is we begin level, different generations and we'll discover what we can demonstrate with our teams in this fixture.

I am very excited. I have had some experience but I expect a big, big one on Sunday. To be involved in this fixture, the stakes are extremely high. You win, you go into the final, defeat means elimination. I believe all factors align for a great, great game.

Rival Coach

The Celtic manager: The Celtic interim manager has been reflecting this week regarding his initial encounter versus their rivals 25 years ago, the 6-2 'Demolition Derby'.

Well, replicating that might be extremely difficult, putting six past them versus that team. I would accept a scrappy single-goal triumph if we could get it. Certain supporters approach and inform me: 'That was a fantastic encounter', though they weren't alive then. They inform me their grandfathers and fathers spoke about it regularly. It became a really pivotal match for our club, not just that season, but likely for future progress.

The anxiety for approximately three days beforehand, and subsequently if you achieved victory, significant comfort. And I think that's what the renowned Walter Smith often mentioned too, that comfort surpassed other feelings. However these were magnificent contests really. It's still a fantastic fixture.

This constitutes a significant fixture for our club. Honestly, don't conceal that fact. It's a semi-final, it's a big match for our squad. Every Old Firm match is a big game, but particularly given the conditions of the past few days, if not recent weeks, absolutely.

Coaching Background

Two fresh managers leading their teams today though there's a significant difference in Old Firm experience among them. Danny Röhl faces his debut leading Rangers while Martin O'Neill is about to take charge of his 28th.

Today's result may substantially affect regarding the tenure O'Neill's second spell as (interim, for now) Celtic boss persists, as Ewan Murray has reflected.

Celtic could pay substantial compensation to lure Kieran McKenna from Ipswich Town. They might consider an even bigger gamble involving Robbie Keane. The title holders could decide to provide Nicky Hayen from Club Brugge a debut opportunity of British football. These are all gambles in different manners. Even more than O'Neill? This remains questionable.

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 ahead of Kieran Tierney in the left-back position. James Forrest also drops out from the starting lineup 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, with Mohamed Diomande coming in replacing the banned Connor Barron in midfield with Thelo Aasgaard favored over Mikey Moore in forward roles.

Opening Context

Greetings and welcome to this Old Firm clash. It's got to be better {than last time|compared to the previous meeting|versus