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The teams emerge to a thunderous reception, Hampden divided in two between blue and green. For the opportunity to play St Mirren FC in this stadium this December … the action begins.

Other Matches

Additional games: John Brewin is on our minute-by-minute coverage for West Ham v Newcastle in the EPL; Yara El-Shaboury brings the newest developments from the initial games in the WSL.

Turning to this match, approximately five minutes remain before the game begins at Hampden Park!

Officiating Team

Nick Walsh is the man in the middle today. He previously officiated last year's Scottish Cup final involving Celtic and Rangers plus a European fixture in the last term where he showed four red cards and 12 yellows. Don't cross him.

Coaching Perspectives

Danny Röhl: Although this marks his initial Old Firm, the new Rangers manager has made it clear this week that he's familiar with being involved in other major rivalries as a coach, with Bayern Munich plus his stint at Wednesday.

I recollect when Hansi Flick assumed control, our following match was versus Dortmund at home. We secured a 4-0 victory. It is always a booster following success in these encounters. Additionally, in England's second tier in the Steel derby, I was involved in that as well. I understand the significance for the fans. This is more than just a game.

The German manager has been complimenting Martin O'Neill's lengthy tenure at 73.

I feel a big respect for such a coaching career. I consider it consistently remarkable for a coach when you work so long in this industry and accomplish your objectives.

I am just at the beginning my coaching path. There's much work remaining to achieve similar status however the positive aspect we commence evenly matched, separate eras and we'll discover what we can demonstrate via our selections in this encounter.

I am very excited. I've accumulated certain experiences though I anticipate a big, big one during Sunday's match. To participate in such a match, the stakes are extremely high. Victory means reaching the final, defeat means elimination. I feel all elements converge for an outstanding match.

Counterpart Perspective

The experienced boss: The temporary Celtic boss has this week been reminiscing concerning his debut match against Rangers 25 years ago, the famous 6-2 demolition.

Certainly, matching that achievement could be very challenging, netting six times versus that team. I would accept a scrappy single-goal triumph if we could get it. Some lads come up and say to me: 'That was a fantastic encounter', though they weren't alive then. They inform me their grandfathers and fathers discussed it frequently. It became a really pivotal match for us, not merely in that term, but probably for continuing on.

The nervousness for about 72 hours beforehand, and then if you got the result, tremendous relief. And I feel that's precisely the renowned 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 constitutes a significant fixture for us. Truthfully, don't hide that reality. It's a last-four clash, it's an important game for our side. Each encounter between these rivals is a big game, however specifically because of the circumstances of the recent days, if not weeks, definitely.

Managerial Experience

Two different coaches leading their teams today yet there's a substantial disparity in derby experience separating them. Danny Röhl is experiencing his first as the Rangers boss while Martin O'Neill is about to take charge his twenty-eighth.

Today's result may substantially affect regarding the tenure O'Neill's comeback as (interim, for now) Celtic boss persists, as Ewan Murray has reflected.

They could potentially invest substantial compensation to lure Kieran McKenna from Ipswich Town. They may attempt an even bigger gamble involving Robbie Keane. The title holders could decide to provide Club Brugge manager Nicky Hayen an initial experience of British football. These constitute chances in different manners. Beyond 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 is additionally excluded from the first team that overcame Falkirk during the week.

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 gets the nod ahead of Max Aarons in the right flank position, including Mohamed Diomande for the suspended Connor Barron in central areas and Thelo Aasgaard preferred instead of Mikey Moore in forward roles.

Match Preview

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