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The teams emerge to a thunderous reception, Hampden separated evenly into blue and green. To earn the chance to meet St Mirren at this venue this December … it all kicks off.

Other Football

Additional games: John Brewin is on our minute-by-minute coverage for West Ham v Newcastle in the EPL; Yara El-Shaboury has all the latest from the day's opening matches in the WSL.

As for us, approximately five minutes remain until kick-off at Hampden!

Officiating Team

Nick Walsh will referee today. He was also the referee for the 2024 cup final featuring these two rivals and a Europa League match last season during which he issued four sending-offs and a dozen bookings. Steer clear of confrontation.

Coaching Perspectives

The Rangers manager: Although this marks his initial Old Firm, the fresh-faced gaffer has made it clear this week that he's familiar with taking part in other significant derbies as a coach, at Bayern Munich and with Sheffield Wednesday.

I recollect during Hansi Flick's appointment, our second game was versus Dortmund at home. We secured a 4-0 victory. It always provides a lift following success in these encounters. Furthermore, in the EFL Championship in the Sheffield derby, I was involved in that as well. I know what it means among the followers. This transcends ordinary football.

The 36-year-old German has also been lauding 73-year-old Martin O'Neill's longevity.

I have tremendous respect for such a managerial journey. I think it is always great as a manager when you sustain your career over decades in this field and accomplish your objectives.

I'm merely commencing my professional journey. I have a lot of work to do to reach that level however the positive aspect we start at 0-0, separate eras and let's see what we can demonstrate through our squads in this game.

I'm incredibly enthusiastic. I have had some experience though I anticipate an enormous event on Sunday. To be part of such a game, it's all or nothing. You win, you go into the final, defeat means elimination. I think everything is on for an outstanding match.

Rival Coach

The experienced boss: The stand-in manager has recently been recalling about his first meeting versus their rivals a quarter-century ago, the famous 6-2 demolition.

Certainly, matching that achievement may prove quite arduous, putting six past them versus that team. I'd settle for a scrappy single-goal triumph if we could get it. Certain supporters approach and say to me: 'That was a fantastic encounter', and they weren't even born. They relate to me their ancestors and parents spoke about it regularly. It became a really pivotal match for our club, not only during that campaign, but probably for continuing on.

The anxiety for approximately three days prior to the match, and then should you secure success, tremendous relief. 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's still a fantastic fixture.

This is a big game for us. Honestly, don't conceal that fact. It's a semi-final encounter, it's an important game for us. Any Celtic-Rangers game is a big game, but particularly given the conditions of the recent days, possibly even months, absolutely.

Managerial Experience

Two fresh managers on the sidelines this afternoon 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 of his 28th.

The outcome today might significantly influence regarding the tenure O'Neill's second spell as temporary Celtic manager lasts, as Ewan Murray has been pondering.

The club might spend five million pounds in compensation to lure Kieran McKenna away from Ipswich. They might consider a more significant chance on Robbie Keane. The title holders could decide to provide Club Brugge manager Nicky Hayen an initial experience in British football. These are all gambles in different manners. More than O'Neill? This is debatable.

First XIs

Celtic (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 features instead of Kieran Tierney in the left-back position. James Forrest is also omitted from the starting lineup that defeated Falkirk during the week.

Rangers FC (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 over Max Aarons on the right, with Mohamed Diomande coming in replacing the banned Connor Barron in central areas and Thelo Aasgaard preferred instead of Mikey Moore in attack.

Preamble

Greetings and welcome to this Old Firm clash. It ought to be superior {than last time|compared to the previous meeting|versus