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The teams emerge to a thunderous reception, Hampden separated evenly with blue and green sections. For the right to meet St Mirren FC in this stadium next month … the action begins.

Additional Fixtures

Other football: John Brewin offers real-time commentary for West Ham vs Newcastle in the EPL; Yara El-Shaboury brings the newest developments from the early kick-offs in the Women's Super League.

Turning to this match, we're only five minutes away until kick-off at Hampden Park!

Match Officials

Nick Walsh takes charge today. He previously officiated last year's Scottish Cup final involving Celtic and Rangers plus a European fixture the previous campaign when he distributed four dismissals and a dozen bookings. Don't cross him.

Dugout Views

Danny Röhl: Although this marks his initial Old Firm, the recently appointed boss has emphasized this week that he's familiar with taking part in other significant derbies in his coaching career, at Bayern Munich and Sheffield Wednesday.

I recollect when Hansi Flick assumed control, our second game was versus Dortmund at home. We triumphed 4-0. It consistently offers motivation when you triumph in such matches. Furthermore, in the EFL Championship in the Steel derby, I was also part [of it] there. I know what it means to the supporters. This represents more than a simple match.

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

I feel a big respect for such a managerial journey. I believe it's always impressive for a coach when you work so long in this business and accomplish your objectives.

I am just at the beginning of my career. I have substantial work ahead to come to this point but the good thing is we start at 0-0, different generations and let's see what we can demonstrate via our selections in this fixture.

I'm incredibly enthusiastic. I've accumulated certain experiences though I anticipate a big, big one during Sunday's match. To be involved in this fixture, the stakes are extremely high. You win, you go into the final, you lose, you're out. I think everything is on for a great, great game.

Counterpart Perspective

The Celtic manager: The stand-in manager has recently been recalling about his first meeting versus their rivals two and a half decades past, the memorable 6-2 victory.

Well, replicating that could be very challenging, netting six times against that side. I would accept a scrappy single-goal triumph if we managed to secure it. Various individuals tell me and say to me: 'That was a fantastic encounter', though they weren't alive then. They relate to me their ancestors and parents were talking about it. It transformed into a crucial game for our team, not only during that campaign, but likely for future progress.

The tension for nearly 72 hours beforehand, and subsequently if you achieved victory, tremendous relief. And I feel that's precisely the renowned Walter Smith often mentioned too, that relief outweighed other emotions. However these were magnificent contests genuinely. It continues to be a superb rivalry.

This is a big game for us. Honestly, don't conceal that fact. It's a last-four clash, it's a big match for us. Each encounter between these rivals constitutes a significant occasion, though especially considering the circumstances of the recent days, if not recent weeks, certainly.

Managerial Experience

Two fresh managers leading their teams today but there's a big gap in derby experience separating them. Danny Röhl encounters his inaugural as the Rangers boss while Martin O'Neill gets ready to manage his 28th such match.

Today's result may substantially affect on how long O'Neill's second spell as (interim, for now) Celtic boss lasts, as Ewan Murray has reflected.

Celtic could pay five million pounds in compensation to lure Kieran McKenna from Ipswich. They could take an even bigger gamble with Robbie Keane. The Scottish champions might choose to offer Club Brugge's Nicky Hayen a first taste in British football. These are all gambles to varying degrees. More than O'Neill? This is arguable.

Starting Lineups

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

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

Marcelo Sarrachi begins preferred to Kieran Tierney in the left-back position. James Forrest is additionally excluded from the first team that overcame Falkirk in midweek.

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 over Max Aarons on the right side, with Mohamed Diomande coming in for the suspended Connor Barron in midfield and Thelo Aasgaard preferred to Mikey Moore in attack.

Match Preview

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