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The players head out to a thunderous reception, Hampden split down the middle into blue and green. To earn the chance to face St Mirren here next month … the action begins.

Other Matches

Additional games: John Brewin provides live updates for West Ham vs Newcastle in England's top flight; Yara El-Shaboury has all the latest from the early kick-offs in the Women's Super League.

Turning to this match, there's just over five minutes before the start at the national stadium!

Match Officials

Nick Walsh takes charge today. He previously officiated last year's Scottish Cup final featuring these two rivals and a continental game the previous campaign during which he issued four dismissals and 12 yellows. Steer clear of confrontation.

Manager Insights

The German coach: While this is his first Old Firm, the recently appointed boss has made it clear this week that he's used to taking part in other major rivalries as a coach, at Bayern Munich plus his stint at Wednesday.

I recollect when Hansi Flick assumed control, our following match was versus Dortmund at home. We won 4-0. It is always a booster if you win such a game. Additionally, in the Championship in the Sheffield derby, I was involved in that as well. I recognize the importance for the fans. This transcends ordinary football.

The young coach has been complimenting the enduring career of 73-year-old Martin O'Neill.

I have tremendous respect for such a coaching career. 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. There's much work remaining to come to this point but the good thing is we begin level, separate eras and let's see what we can demonstrate through our squads in this fixture.

I am very excited. I've accumulated certain experiences but I expect a massive occasion on Sunday. To be involved in this fixture, it's all or nothing. Victory means reaching the final, defeat means elimination. I feel all elements converge for an outstanding match.

Opposition Manager

The experienced boss: The Celtic interim manager has this week been reminiscing about his first meeting against Rangers 25 years ago, the famous 6-2 demolition.

Well, replicating that may prove quite arduous, scoring six goals against that side. I'd settle for a really lousy 1-0 victory should we achieve it. Various individuals tell me and say to me: 'That was an amazing match', and they weren't even born. They relate to me their grandfathers and fathers discussed it frequently. It transformed into a crucial game for our club, not merely in that term, but probably for continuing on.

The tension for nearly 72 hours before, and subsequently if you achieved victory, significant comfort. And I feel that's precisely the great Walter Smith used to say about it as well, that comfort surpassed other feelings. Yet these represented superb matches genuinely. It remains a wonderful encounter.

This is a big game for our club. Honestly, don't conceal that fact. It's a last-four clash, it's a crucial contest for us. Each encounter between these rivals constitutes a significant occasion, though especially considering the situation of the past few days, if not recent weeks, absolutely.

Dugout History

Two different coaches leading their teams today yet there's a substantial disparity in Old Firm experience separating them. Danny Röhl faces his debut as the Rangers boss whereas Martin O'Neill prepares to oversee his twenty-eighth.

Today's result might significantly influence on how long O'Neill's comeback as temporary Celtic manager lasts, as Ewan Murray has been pondering.

The club might spend substantial compensation to coax Kieran McKenna from Ipswich. They may attempt a larger risk involving Robbie Keane. The Scottish champions may opt to give Nicky Hayen from Club Brugge a first taste in British football. These represent risks in their own way. 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.

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

Marcelo Sarrachi starts instead of Kieran Tierney at left-back. James Forrest is additionally excluded of the XI that overcame Falkirk during the week.

Rangers (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 is selected ahead of Max Aarons on the right, including Mohamed Diomande taking Connor Barron's suspended place in central areas and Thelo Aasgaard chosen over Mikey Moore in forward roles.

Preamble

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