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Match Coverage

The teams emerge amid the roar, Hampden Park split down the middle between blue and green. For the opportunity to face St Mirren in this stadium this December … it all kicks off.

Other Football

Additional games: John Brewin is on our minute-by-minute coverage for the West Ham-Newcastle clash in England's top flight; Yara El-Shaboury brings the newest developments from the early kick-offs in the WSL.

Regarding our coverage, there's just over five minutes until kick-off at Hampden!

Officiating Team

Nick Walsh takes charge this match. He also refereed last year's Scottish Cup final involving Celtic and Rangers plus a European fixture last season during which he issued four sending-offs and a dozen bookings. Steer clear of confrontation.

Dugout Views

Danny Röhl: While this is his first Old Firm, the new Rangers manager has stated clearly this week that he's familiar with participating in other important local clashes during his managerial journey, with Bayern Munich plus his stint at Wednesday.

I recollect when Hansi Flick took over, our subsequent fixture took place against Dortmund at our stadium. We won 4-0. It is always a booster when you triumph in such matches. As well, in England's second tier during the Steel City derby, I was involved in that as well. I recognize the importance to the supporters. This is more than just a game.

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 consider it consistently remarkable in this profession when you work so long in this field and achieve success.

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, distinct coaching generations and we'll observe what we can contribute with our teams in this game.

I'm incredibly enthusiastic. I've accumulated certain experiences though I anticipate a big, big one this Sunday. To participate in such a match, the stakes are extremely high. You win, you go into the final, you lose, you're out. I feel all elements converge for a great, great game.

Rival Coach

Martin O'Neill: The Celtic interim manager has this week been reminiscing regarding his initial encounter 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 those opponents. I would accept an unattractive 1-0 win should we achieve it. Some lads come up and inform me: 'That was an amazing match', though they weren't alive then. They inform me their ancestors and parents were talking about it. It became a really pivotal match for our club, not merely in that term, but likely for future progress.

The anxiety for approximately three days beforehand, and then if you got the result, significant comfort. And I feel that's precisely the great Walter Smith frequently stated similarly, that relief outweighed other emotions. But they were fantastic fixtures truly. It remains a wonderful encounter.

This constitutes a significant fixture for our team. Really, don't disguise that at all. It's a last-four clash, it's an important game for our side. Each encounter between these rivals is a big game, though especially considering the conditions of the past few days, if not weeks, absolutely.

Managerial Experience

Two new managers in the dugouts today though there's a significant difference in derby experience among them. Danny Röhl encounters his inaugural leading Rangers whereas Martin O'Neill prepares to oversee of his 28th.

This match's conclusion might significantly influence regarding the tenure O'Neill's second spell as temporary Celtic manager continues, as Ewan Murray has considered.

They could potentially invest substantial compensation to lure Kieran McKenna from Ipswich Town. They could take a more significant chance with Robbie Keane. The reigning champions may opt to give Club Brugge manager Nicky Hayen an initial experience of British football. These constitute chances to varying degrees. More than O'Neill? This is debatable.

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 preferred to Kieran Tierney at left-back. James Forrest also drops out from the first team that overcame Falkirk in their recent match.

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 replacing the banned Connor Barron in the middle with Thelo Aasgaard favored instead of Mikey Moore in forward roles.

Match Preview

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