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Match Coverage

The players head out to a thunderous reception, Hampden divided in two into blue and green. For the right to play St Mirren FC at this venue in December … here we go.

Other Matches

More matches: John Brewin provides live updates for West Ham v Newcastle in the Premier League; 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 the national stadium!

Officiating Team

Nick Walsh will referee this match. He previously officiated last year's Scottish Cup final between Celtic and Rangers plus a European fixture the previous campaign when he distributed four dismissals and 12 yellows. Avoid challenging him.

Dugout Views

The German coach: While this is his first Old Firm, the fresh-faced gaffer has stated clearly this week that he's familiar with being involved in other important local clashes in his coaching career, at Bayern Munich and Sheffield Wednesday.

I recall when Hansi Flick assumed control, our second game took place against Dortmund at our stadium. We triumphed 4-0. It is always a booster following success in these encounters. Additionally, in the EFL Championship in the Steel derby, I was also part [of it] there. I understand the significance to the supporters. This is more than just a game.

The German manager has also been lauding 73-year-old Martin O'Neill's longevity.

I have tremendous respect for such a managerial journey. I believe it's always impressive in this profession when you sustain your career over decades in this industry and accomplish your objectives.

I'm merely commencing my professional journey. I have a lot of work to do to come to this point but the good thing is we commence evenly matched, distinct coaching generations and we'll observe what we can demonstrate via our selections in this fixture.

I'm incredibly enthusiastic. I have had some experience but I expect a big, big one on Sunday. To participate in such a match, it's all or nothing. Victory means reaching the final, a loss ends your participation. I think everything is on for an outstanding match.

Rival Coach

Martin O'Neill: The stand-in manager has been reflecting this week about his first meeting versus their rivals two and a half decades past, the memorable 6-2 victory.

Well, replicating that may prove quite arduous, putting six past them versus that team. I'd settle for a scrappy single-goal triumph if we could get it. Certain supporters approach and say to me: 'That was a great game', and they weren't even born. They tell me their family members were talking about it. It became a really pivotal match for our club, not only during that campaign, but likely for future progress.

The tension for nearly 72 hours beforehand, and then should you secure success, tremendous relief. And I feel that's precisely the great Walter Smith often mentioned too, that it was relief more than anything else. However these were magnificent contests really. It remains a wonderful encounter.

This is a big game for our club. Honestly, don't conceal that fact. It's a last-four clash, it's an important game for our side. Any Celtic-Rangers game represents a major event, but particularly given the situation of recent times, if not weeks, definitely.

Dugout History

Two fresh managers leading their teams today but there's a big gap in derby experience between them. Danny Röhl faces his debut as the Rangers boss while Martin O'Neill gets ready to manage his twenty-eighth.

The outcome today could have a major impact on how long O'Neill's comeback as temporary Celtic manager continues, as Ewan Murray has been pondering.

The club might spend five million pounds in compensation to lure Kieran McKenna from Ipswich Town. They may attempt an even bigger gamble on Robbie Keane. The title holders might choose to offer Club Brugge manager Nicky Hayen an initial experience in British football. These are all gambles in different manners. Beyond O'Neill? This is arguable.

First XIs

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 ahead of Kieran Tierney in the left-back position. James Forrest is additionally excluded from the first team that overcame Falkirk in midweek.

Rangers (3-4-3): Butland; Djiga, Souttar, Cornelius; Tavernier, Diomande, Raskin, Meghoma; Aasgaard, Chermiti, Danilo.

Subs: Kelly, Aarons, Fernández, Rothwell, Antman, Moore, Gassama, Curtis, Miovski.

James Tavernier receives preference instead of Max Aarons on the right, with Mohamed Diomande coming in for the suspended Connor Barron in midfield and Thelo Aasgaard preferred over Mikey Moore in attack.

Match Preview

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