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The teams emerge into the noise, Hampden divided in two with blue and green sections. For the right to meet St Mirren FC here this December … here we go.

Other Matches

More matches: John Brewin offers real-time commentary for the West Ham-Newcastle clash in the EPL; Yara El-Shaboury delivers fresh updates from the day's opening matches in the women's top division.

Turning to this match, there's just over five minutes until kick-off at Hampden!

Match Officials

Nick Walsh takes charge this afternoon. He also refereed last year's Scottish Cup final involving Celtic and Rangers and a continental game in the last term where he showed four sending-offs and 12 yellows. Steer clear of confrontation.

Dugout Views

The Rangers manager: Although this marks his initial Old Firm, the fresh-faced gaffer has made it clear in recent days that he's used to being involved in other important local clashes during his managerial journey, during his time at Bayern and with Sheffield Wednesday.

I recall during Hansi Flick's appointment, our second game was at home against Dortmund. We secured a 4-0 victory. It always provides a lift if you win such a game. Additionally, in England's second tier during the Steel City derby, I was also part [of it] there. I know what it means among the followers. This transcends ordinary football.

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

I have tremendous respect for that type of coaching legacy. I think it is always great as a manager when you work so long in this industry and achieve success.

I'm merely commencing of my career. I have a lot of work to do to achieve similar status though the encouraging factor we start at 0-0, distinct coaching generations and let's see what we can demonstrate through our squads in this game.

I am very excited. I've accumulated certain experiences but I expect an enormous event this Sunday. To be involved in this fixture, the stakes are extremely high. Success secures a final place, defeat means elimination. I feel all elements converge for a magnificent contest.

Rival Coach

The Celtic manager: The temporary Celtic boss has this week been reminiscing about his first meeting versus their rivals 25 years ago, the memorable 6-2 victory.

Certainly, matching that achievement might be extremely difficult, putting six past them against those opponents. I would accept a scrappy single-goal triumph if we managed to secure it. Certain supporters approach and mention to me: 'That was an amazing match', though they weren't alive then. They relate to me their grandfathers and fathers were talking about it. It transformed into a crucial game for our team, not merely in that term, but likely for future progress.

The tension for nearly 72 hours before, and subsequently if you achieved victory, tremendous relief. And I feel that's precisely the great Walter Smith often mentioned too, that relief outweighed other emotions. However these were magnificent contests truly. It continues to be a superb rivalry.

This represents an important match for our team. Truthfully, don't hide that reality. It's a semi-final encounter, it's an important game for us. Any Celtic-Rangers game is a big game, however specifically because of the situation of the recent days, if not recent weeks, certainly.

Dugout History

Two new managers on the sidelines this afternoon yet there's a substantial disparity in rivalry knowledge between them. Danny Röhl is experiencing his first as Rangers manager while Martin O'Neill is about to take charge his twenty-eighth.

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

Celtic could pay five million pounds in compensation to lure Kieran McKenna from Ipswich Town. They may attempt a larger risk with Robbie Keane. The reigning champions could decide to provide Nicky Hayen from Club Brugge an initial experience of British football. These represent risks to varying degrees. Even more than O'Neill? This remains questionable.

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 instead of Kieran Tierney at left-back. James Forrest also drops out of the XI that beat Falkirk in their recent match.

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 is selected over Max Aarons in the right flank position, with Mohamed Diomande coming in taking Connor Barron's suspended place in the middle and Thelo Aasgaard chosen instead of Mikey Moore in attack.

Match Preview

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