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Match Coverage

The squads take the field into the noise, Hampden Park separated evenly with blue and green sections. For the right to face St Mirren FC here in December … here we go.

Other Football

More matches: John Brewin offers real-time commentary for West Ham v Newcastle in the Premier League; Yara El-Shaboury delivers fresh updates from the early kick-offs in the Women's Super League.

Turning to this match, we're only five minutes away before the start at the national stadium!

Officiating Team

Nick Walsh is the man in the middle this afternoon. He also refereed last year's Scottish Cup final involving Celtic and Rangers and a Europa League match last season during which he issued four dismissals and twelve cautions. Steer clear of confrontation.

Coaching Perspectives

The German coach: While this is his first Old Firm, the new Rangers manager has made it clear in recent days that he's used to being involved in other significant derbies in his coaching career, at Bayern Munich and Sheffield Wednesday.

I recall when Hansi Flick took over, our following match was at home against Dortmund. We triumphed 4-0. It always provides a lift when you triumph in such matches. Additionally, in the Championship during the Steel City derby, I participated there too. I know what it means among the followers. This represents more than a simple match.

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

I hold great admiration for such a managerial journey. I believe it's always impressive for a coach when you remain active for so many years in this business and achieve success.

I'm only starting out of my career. I have substantial work ahead to come to this point but the good thing is we commence evenly matched, separate eras and let's see what we can contribute through our squads in this encounter.

I'm incredibly enthusiastic. I've accumulated certain experiences yet I foresee a massive occasion during Sunday's match. To be part of such a game, everything is at stake. Victory means reaching the final, defeat means elimination. I believe all factors align for a magnificent contest.

Rival Coach

The Celtic manager: The temporary Celtic boss has recently been recalling about his first meeting versus their rivals two and a half decades past, the 6-2 'Demolition Derby'.

Well, replicating that may prove quite arduous, netting six times against those opponents. I would accept a really lousy 1-0 victory if we managed to secure it. Various individuals tell me and inform me: 'That was a great game', despite not being born at the time. They relate to me their family members were talking about it. It became a really pivotal match for us, not just that season, but probably for continuing on.

The anxiety for approximately three days before, and subsequently if you achieved victory, significant comfort. And I think that's what the great Walter Smith used to say about it as well, that relief outweighed other emotions. However these were magnificent contests really. It continues to be a superb rivalry.

This constitutes a significant fixture for our club. Really, don't disguise that at all. It's a semi-final, it's a crucial contest for our squad. Any Celtic-Rangers game is a big game, however specifically because of the conditions of recent times, if not recent weeks, definitely.

Managerial Experience

Two new managers in the dugouts today yet there's a substantial disparity in Old Firm experience separating them. Danny Röhl faces his debut leading Rangers while Martin O'Neill gets ready to manage his twenty-eighth.

Today's result might significantly influence regarding the tenure O'Neill's comeback as (interim, for now) Celtic boss lasts, as Ewan Murray has considered.

They could potentially invest £5m in compensation to persuade Kieran McKenna from Ipswich. They might consider a larger risk involving Robbie Keane. The reigning champions may opt to give Nicky Hayen from Club Brugge a debut opportunity within British soccer. These constitute chances to varying degrees. Even more than O'Neill? This remains questionable.

Team Selections

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 starts preferred to Kieran Tierney at left-back. James Forrest also drops out of the XI 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 receives preference instead of Max Aarons in the right flank position, including Mohamed Diomande for the suspended Connor Barron in the middle and Thelo Aasgaard preferred over Mikey Moore in offensive positions.

Match Preview

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