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Match Coverage

The teams emerge amid the roar, Hampden Park separated evenly between blue and green. For the right to play St Mirren at this venue next month … the action begins.

Additional Fixtures

More matches: John Brewin provides live updates for West Ham v Newcastle in the EPL; Yara El-Shaboury has all the latest from the initial games in the women's top division.

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

Officiating Team

Nick Walsh is the man in the middle this afternoon. He also refereed last year's Scottish Cup final between Celtic and Rangers and a continental game last season during which he issued four sending-offs and a dozen bookings. Don't cross him.

Coaching Perspectives

The Rangers manager: Despite this being his debut in this fixture, the recently appointed boss has stated clearly recently that he's familiar with participating in other major rivalries during his managerial journey, during his time at Bayern and Sheffield Wednesday.

I recollect when Hansi Flick assumed control, our subsequent fixture took place against Dortmund at our stadium. We triumphed 4-0. It always provides a lift if you win such a game. As well, in the Championship in the Sheffield derby, I was involved in that as well. I understand the significance among the followers. This is more than just a game.

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

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'm only starting out of my career. There's much work remaining to come to this point however the positive aspect we commence evenly matched, distinct coaching generations and we'll discover what we can contribute with our teams in this game.

I'm tremendously excited. I've accumulated certain experiences but I expect a big, big one this Sunday. To participate in such a match, it's all or nothing. You win, you go into the final, defeat means elimination. I feel all elements converge for an outstanding match.

Counterpart Perspective

Martin O'Neill: The Celtic interim manager has recently been recalling regarding his initial encounter against Rangers two and a half decades past, the 6-2 'Demolition Derby'.

Certainly, matching that achievement could be very challenging, putting six past them against those opponents. I would take a scrappy single-goal triumph if we could get it. Some lads come up and inform me: 'That was an amazing match', despite not being born at the time. They inform me their grandfathers and fathers were talking about it. It became a really pivotal match for our club, not only during that campaign, but probably for continuing on.

The anxiety for approximately three days prior to the match, and then if you got the result, significant comfort. And I think that's what the renowned Walter Smith often mentioned too, that comfort surpassed other feelings. However these were magnificent contests really. It remains a wonderful encounter.

This represents an important match for our club. Really, don't disguise that at all. It's a semi-final encounter, it's an important game for us. Each encounter between these rivals is a big game, however specifically because of the conditions of the recent days, possibly even months, certainly.

Managerial Experience

Two fresh managers leading their teams today yet there's a substantial disparity in Old Firm experience separating them. Danny Röhl is experiencing his first as Rangers manager while Martin O'Neill gets ready to manage his 28th such match.

The outcome today could have a major impact regarding the tenure O'Neill's comeback as temporary Celtic manager persists, as Ewan Murray has considered.

They could potentially invest five million pounds in compensation to persuade 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 a debut opportunity of British football. These are all gambles to varying degrees. Beyond O'Neill? This is debatable.

First XIs

Celtic FC (4-3-3): Schmeichel; Ralston, Trusty, Scales, Sarrachi; McGregor, Engels, Nygren; Maeda, Kenny, Tounekti.

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

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

Rangers FC (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 ahead of Max Aarons in the right flank position, including Mohamed Diomande replacing the banned Connor Barron in the middle and Thelo Aasgaard preferred instead of Mikey Moore in forward roles.

Opening Context

Hello and welcome to the Old Firm. It ought to be superior {than last time|compared to the previous meeting|versus