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The squads take the field amid the roar, Hampden divided in two between blue and green. For the opportunity to play St Mirren in this stadium next month … here we go.

Other Football

Additional games: 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.

As for us, there's just over five minutes before the game begins at Hampden!

Referee Information

Nick Walsh is the man in the middle today. He also refereed last year's Scottish Cup final featuring these two rivals and a continental game last season when he distributed four dismissals and twelve cautions. Don't cross him.

Dugout Views

The Rangers manager: Despite this being his debut in this fixture, the new Rangers manager has made it clear this week that he's familiar with being involved in other significant derbies in his coaching career, during his time at Bayern and with Sheffield Wednesday.

I can remember when Hansi Flick took over, our second game took place against Dortmund at our stadium. We triumphed 4-0. It consistently offers motivation if you win such a game. Additionally, in the Championship in the Steel derby, I was involved in that as well. I recognize the importance for the fans. This is more than just a game.

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

I feel a big respect for such a coaching career. I think it is always great as a manager when you remain active for so many years in this field and achieve success.

I'm merely commencing of my career. I have substantial work ahead to achieve similar status though the encouraging factor we commence evenly matched, distinct coaching generations and we'll discover what we can demonstrate with our teams in this encounter.

I'm tremendously excited. I've gained some experience though I anticipate a massive occasion this Sunday. To be part of such a game, the stakes are extremely high. Success secures a final place, a loss ends your participation. I believe all factors align for an outstanding match.

Counterpart Perspective

Martin O'Neill: The Celtic interim manager has been reflecting this week about his first meeting against Rangers two and a half decades past, the 6-2 'Demolition Derby'.

Certainly, matching that achievement could be very challenging, putting six past them against those opponents. I would take an unattractive 1-0 win should we achieve it. Certain supporters approach and inform me: 'That was a fantastic encounter', and they weren't even born. They tell me their family members spoke about it regularly. It evolved into a decisive encounter for our team, not merely in that term, but likely for future progress.

The nervousness for about 72 hours before, and subsequently if you achieved victory, a great relief. And I think that's what the renowned Walter Smith frequently stated similarly, that comfort surpassed other feelings. However these were magnificent contests truly. It's still a fantastic fixture.

This is a big game for our club. 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, but particularly given the conditions of the recent days, if not recent weeks, absolutely.

Coaching Background

Two new managers in the dugouts 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.

This match's conclusion could have a major impact on how long O'Neill's return as stand-in Celtic coach continues, as Ewan Murray has been pondering.

They could potentially invest five million pounds in compensation to persuade Kieran McKenna from Ipswich Town. They might consider a larger risk involving Robbie Keane. The Scottish champions may opt to give Club Brugge's Nicky Hayen a first taste of British football. These represent risks in their own way. More than O'Neill? This remains questionable.

First XIs

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 starts instead of Kieran Tierney in the left-back position. James Forrest is also omitted from the first team that overcame Falkirk during the week.

Rangers FC (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 gets the nod instead of Max Aarons on the right side, including Mohamed Diomande for the suspended Connor Barron in central areas and Thelo Aasgaard chosen over Mikey Moore in offensive positions.

Opening Context

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