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The players head out amid the roar, Hampden Park separated evenly with blue and green sections. For the opportunity to play St Mirren at this venue in December … it all kicks off.

Other Matches

Additional games: John Brewin is on our minute-by-minute coverage for West Ham v Newcastle in England's top flight; Yara El-Shaboury has all the latest from the early kick-offs in the Women's Super League.

Regarding our coverage, approximately five minutes remain before the game begins at Hampden Park!

Referee Information

Nick Walsh takes charge this match. He previously officiated last year's Scottish Cup final between Celtic and Rangers plus a European fixture last season during which he issued four red cards and a dozen bookings. Don't cross him.

Coaching Perspectives

The German coach: While this is his first Old Firm, the recently appointed boss has emphasized recently that he's familiar with taking part in other major rivalries in his coaching career, during his time at Bayern plus his stint at Wednesday.

I recollect during Hansi Flick's appointment, our following match was versus Dortmund at home. We won 4-0. It consistently offers motivation if you win such a game. Additionally, in the EFL Championship in the Sheffield derby, I was involved in that as well. I understand the significance for the fans. This represents more than a simple match.

The 36-year-old German has been complimenting the enduring career of 73-year-old Martin O'Neill.

I have tremendous respect for such a coaching career. I believe it's always impressive as a manager when you remain active for so many years in this field and achieve success.

I am just at the beginning my coaching path. I have a lot of work to do to reach that level but the good thing is we commence evenly matched, distinct coaching generations and let's see what we can contribute through our squads in this fixture.

I'm incredibly enthusiastic. I've gained some experience but I expect a big, big one this Sunday. To be involved in this fixture, everything is at stake. Success secures a final place, a loss ends your participation. I feel all elements converge for a great, great game.

Rival Coach

The Celtic manager: The stand-in manager has been reflecting this week about his first meeting with Rangers a quarter-century ago, the 6-2 'Demolition Derby'.

Now, repeating that performance may prove quite arduous, netting six times versus that team. I would take an unattractive 1-0 win should we achieve it. Certain supporters approach and mention to me: 'That was an amazing match', and they weren't even born. They tell me their family members discussed it frequently. It evolved into a decisive encounter for us, not only during that campaign, but likely for future progress.

The nervousness for about 72 hours beforehand, and then should you secure success, a great relief. And I feel that's precisely the legendary Walter Smith used to say about it as well, that it was relief more than anything else. But they were fantastic fixtures truly. It remains a wonderful encounter.

This represents an important match for our team. Truthfully, don't hide that reality. It's a semi-final encounter, it's a big match for us. Any Celtic-Rangers game is a big game, but particularly given the circumstances of the recent days, if not weeks, absolutely.

Dugout History

Two new managers leading their teams today though there's a significant difference in derby experience between them. Danny Röhl faces his debut leading Rangers while Martin O'Neill gets ready to manage of his 28th.

This match's conclusion may substantially affect regarding the tenure O'Neill's comeback as (interim, for now) Celtic boss lasts, as Ewan Murray has been pondering.

They could potentially invest substantial compensation to coax Kieran McKenna away from Ipswich. They might consider a more significant chance involving Robbie Keane. The reigning champions may opt to give Nicky Hayen from Club Brugge an initial experience in British football. These represent risks in their own way. 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.

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

Marcelo Sarrachi features instead of Kieran Tierney on the left defensive flank. James Forrest is additionally excluded of the XI that overcame Falkirk in midweek.

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 over Max Aarons on the right, with Mohamed Diomande coming in for the suspended Connor Barron in the middle with Thelo Aasgaard favored instead of Mikey Moore in offensive positions.

Preamble

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