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The teams emerge amid the roar, Hampden Park split down the middle with blue and green sections. For the right to meet St Mirren FC in this stadium next month … here we go.

Other Matches

Other football: John Brewin is on our minute-by-minute coverage for West Ham v Newcastle in the Premier League; Yara El-Shaboury delivers fresh updates from the early kick-offs in the Women's Super League.

Turning to this match, we're only five minutes away before the start at Hampden!

Match Officials

Nick Walsh takes charge this match. He was also the referee for last year's Scottish Cup final involving Celtic and Rangers and a continental game the previous campaign during which he issued four red cards and twelve cautions. Don't cross him.

Dugout Views

Danny Röhl: Despite this being his debut in this fixture, the fresh-faced gaffer has emphasized this week that he's accustomed to participating in other important local clashes as a coach, at Bayern Munich plus his stint at Wednesday.

I can remember 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. Additionally, in the Championship in the Steel derby, I participated there too. I understand the significance for the fans. This transcends ordinary football.

The 36-year-old German has been praising 73-year-old Martin O'Neill's longevity.

I feel a big respect for such a coaching career. I think it is always great as a manager when you sustain your career over decades in this business and achieve success.

I'm only starting out my coaching path. There's much work remaining to achieve similar status though the encouraging factor we begin level, distinct coaching generations and we'll observe what we can contribute via our selections in this encounter.

I'm incredibly enthusiastic. I've accumulated certain experiences though I anticipate an enormous event on Sunday. To be part of such a game, it's all or nothing. You win, you go into the final, defeat means elimination. I feel all elements converge for a magnificent contest.

Opposition Manager

The Celtic manager: The stand-in manager has recently been recalling about his first meeting with Rangers two and a half decades past, the 6-2 'Demolition Derby'.

Now, repeating that performance may prove quite arduous, putting six past them versus that team. I would take a really lousy 1-0 victory should we achieve it. Some lads come up and mention to me: 'That was a great game', though they weren't alive then. They inform me their ancestors and parents spoke about it regularly. It transformed into a crucial game for our club, not just that season, but likely for future progress.

The nervousness for about 72 hours beforehand, and then if you got the result, a great relief. And I believe that's exactly the renowned Walter Smith often mentioned too, that it was relief more than anything else. However these were magnificent contests genuinely. It remains a wonderful encounter.

This represents an important match for us. Truthfully, don't hide that reality. It's a semi-final encounter, it's a big match for our squad. Every Old Firm match is a big game, but particularly given the conditions of the past few days, if not recent weeks, absolutely.

Managerial Experience

Two fresh managers in the dugouts today though there's a significant difference in Old Firm experience among them. Danny Röhl encounters his inaugural as Rangers manager while Martin O'Neill is about to take charge his 28th such match.

The outcome today might significantly influence on the duration O'Neill's second spell as temporary Celtic manager persists, as Ewan Murray has reflected.

They could potentially invest substantial compensation to persuade Kieran McKenna from Ipswich Town. They could take an even bigger gamble on Robbie Keane. The title holders could decide to provide Nicky Hayen from Club Brugge a first taste within British soccer. These represent risks to varying degrees. Beyond O'Neill? This remains questionable.

Team Selections

Celtic (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 starts preferred to Kieran Tierney on the left defensive flank. James Forrest is also omitted from the first team that beat Falkirk in their recent match.

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 is selected instead of Max Aarons on the right side, including Mohamed Diomande for the suspended Connor Barron in the middle and Thelo Aasgaard preferred over Mikey Moore in offensive positions.

Match Preview

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