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The players head out amid the roar, Hampden Park divided in two with blue and green sections. For the right to play St Mirren in this stadium next month … here we go.

Other Matches

More matches: John Brewin is on our minute-by-minute coverage for West Ham vs Newcastle in the EPL; Yara El-Shaboury brings the newest developments from the initial games in the WSL.

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

Match Officials

Nick Walsh takes charge this afternoon. 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 sending-offs and 12 yellows. Avoid challenging him.

Manager Insights

The Rangers manager: Although this marks his initial Old Firm, the recently appointed boss has made it clear recently that he's familiar with taking part in other major rivalries during his managerial journey, during his time at Bayern and Sheffield Wednesday.

I recall when Hansi Flick assumed control, our following match was at home against Dortmund. We triumphed 4-0. It is always a booster following success in these encounters. As well, in England's second tier in the Steel derby, I participated there too. I know what it means for the fans. This transcends ordinary football.

The German manager has also been lauding the enduring career of 73-year-old Martin O'Neill.

I feel a big respect for such a managerial journey. I think it is always great as a manager when you work so long in this industry and accomplish your objectives.

I'm only starting out of my career. I have substantial work ahead to achieve similar status but the good thing is we commence evenly matched, different generations and we'll observe what we can contribute with our teams in this game.

I'm incredibly enthusiastic. I've gained some experience though I anticipate a big, big one this Sunday. To be part of such a game, it's all or nothing. Success secures a final place, defeat means elimination. I think everything is on for a magnificent contest.

Counterpart Perspective

The experienced boss: The Celtic interim manager has this week been reminiscing regarding his initial encounter against Rangers 25 years ago, the 6-2 'Demolition Derby'.

Now, repeating that performance may prove quite arduous, scoring six goals against that side. I would accept a scrappy single-goal triumph should we achieve it. Certain supporters approach and say to me: 'That was a fantastic encounter', despite not being born at the time. They inform me their ancestors and parents discussed it frequently. It transformed into a crucial game for our club, not only during that campaign, but likely for future progress.

The tension for nearly 72 hours prior to the match, and then should you secure success, a great relief. And I think that's what the renowned Walter Smith often mentioned too, that relief outweighed other emotions. But they were fantastic fixtures truly. It continues to be a superb rivalry.

This represents an important match for our team. Really, don't disguise that at all. It's a last-four clash, it's a crucial contest for our squad. Each encounter between these rivals represents a major event, though especially considering the conditions of the recent days, possibly even months, definitely.

Coaching Background

Two new managers leading their teams today yet there's a substantial disparity in rivalry knowledge among them. Danny Röhl is experiencing his first leading Rangers while Martin O'Neill is about to take charge his twenty-eighth.

This match's conclusion might significantly influence regarding the tenure O'Neill's comeback as (interim, for now) Celtic boss continues, as Ewan Murray has been pondering.

The club might spend £5m in compensation to coax Kieran McKenna from Ipswich. They may attempt a larger risk involving Robbie Keane. The title holders may opt to give Club Brugge's Nicky Hayen a debut opportunity within British soccer. These constitute chances to varying degrees. Even more than O'Neill? This remains questionable.

Starting Lineups

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

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

Marcelo Sarrachi starts preferred to Kieran Tierney on the left defensive flank. James Forrest is also omitted from the starting lineup that beat Falkirk in their recent match.

Rangers (3-4-3): Butland; Djiga, Souttar, Cornelius; Tavernier, Diomande, Raskin, Meghoma; Aasgaard, Chermiti, Danilo.

Reserves: Kelly, Aarons, Fernández, Rothwell, Antman, Moore, Gassama, Curtis, Miovski.

James Tavernier is selected instead of Max Aarons in the right flank position, with Mohamed Diomande coming in replacing the banned Connor Barron in central areas and Thelo Aasgaard chosen over Mikey Moore in offensive positions.

Preamble

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