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Match Coverage

The squads take the field into the noise, Hampden divided in two into blue and green. For the opportunity to meet St Mirren FC here this December … here we go.

Additional Fixtures

Other football: John Brewin provides live updates for West Ham vs Newcastle in the Premier League; Yara El-Shaboury delivers fresh updates from the initial games in the Women's Super League.

Regarding our coverage, we're only five minutes away before the start at Hampden Park!

Match Officials

Nick Walsh is the man in the middle this afternoon. He previously officiated last year's Scottish Cup final featuring these two rivals plus a European fixture in the last term when he distributed four sending-offs and 12 yellows. Steer clear of confrontation.

Dugout Views

The Rangers manager: Despite this being his debut in this fixture, the fresh-faced gaffer has emphasized in recent days that he's familiar with being involved in other significant derbies as a coach, at Bayern Munich and with Sheffield Wednesday.

I recall when Hansi Flick took over, our following match was versus Dortmund at home. We won 4-0. It always provides a lift if you win such a game. Furthermore, in England's second tier 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 36-year-old German has been praising the enduring career of 73-year-old Martin O'Neill.

I have tremendous respect for such a managerial journey. I think it is always great as a manager when you work so long in this industry and achieve success.

I'm merely commencing my professional journey. I have substantial work ahead to come to this point but the good thing is we begin level, different generations and we'll observe what we can bring with our teams in this fixture.

I'm tremendously excited. I have had some experience though I anticipate a massive occasion during Sunday's match. To be involved in this fixture, it's all or nothing. You win, you go into the final, defeat means elimination. I think everything is on for an outstanding match.

Opposition Manager

Martin O'Neill: The temporary Celtic boss has been reflecting this week regarding his initial encounter against Rangers two and a half decades past, the memorable 6-2 victory.

Now, repeating that performance could be very challenging, scoring six goals against those opponents. I would take a scrappy single-goal triumph should we achieve it. Certain supporters approach and inform me: 'That was a fantastic encounter', despite not being born at the time. They tell me their family members discussed it frequently. It evolved into a decisive encounter for our club, not merely in that term, but likely for future progress.

The nervousness for about 72 hours before, and then if you got the result, a great relief. And I believe that's exactly the renowned Walter Smith frequently stated similarly, that relief outweighed other emotions. Yet these represented superb matches truly. It continues to be a superb rivalry.

This is a big game for us. Honestly, don't conceal that fact. It's a semi-final, it's a big match for us. Any Celtic-Rangers game represents a major event, however specifically because of the conditions of recent times, if not recent weeks, absolutely.

Managerial Experience

Two fresh managers leading their teams today but there's a big gap in rivalry knowledge among them. Danny Röhl is experiencing his first leading Rangers while Martin O'Neill gets ready to manage his twenty-eighth.

Today's result may substantially affect regarding the tenure O'Neill's second spell as (interim, for now) Celtic boss lasts, as Ewan Murray has been pondering.

They could potentially invest substantial compensation to coax Kieran McKenna from Ipswich. They could take a larger risk with Robbie Keane. The title holders could decide to provide Club Brugge's Nicky Hayen an initial experience in British football. These represent risks to varying degrees. More than O'Neill? This is arguable.

First XIs

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

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

Marcelo Sarrachi starts ahead of Kieran Tierney in the left-back position. James Forrest is additionally excluded from the starting lineup 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 over Max Aarons on the right, including Mohamed Diomande for the suspended Connor Barron in central areas with Thelo Aasgaard favored instead of Mikey Moore in forward roles.

Opening Context

Greetings and welcome to this Old Firm clash. It's got to be better {than last time|compared to the previous meeting|versus