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The squads take the field to a thunderous reception, Hampden divided in two into blue and green. For the right to face St Mirren here in December … the action begins.

Other Matches

Additional games: John Brewin provides live updates 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, there's just over five minutes before the start at Hampden!

Officiating Team

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

Coaching Perspectives

The German coach: While this is his first Old Firm, the new Rangers manager has made it clear recently that he's familiar with being involved in other major rivalries in his coaching career, at Bayern Munich and Sheffield Wednesday.

I recall when Hansi Flick took over, our subsequent fixture was versus Dortmund at home. We triumphed 4-0. It consistently offers motivation following success in these encounters. As well, in the Championship during the Steel City derby, I was also part [of it] there. I recognize the importance among the followers. This represents more than a simple match.

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

I have tremendous respect for that type of coaching legacy. I consider it consistently remarkable in this profession when you remain active for so many years in this field and achieve success.

I'm merely commencing my coaching path. I have a lot of work to do to reach that level though the encouraging factor we start at 0-0, separate eras and we'll discover what we can bring via our selections in this encounter.

I am very excited. I've accumulated certain experiences yet I foresee a big, big one this Sunday. To be part of such a game, everything is at stake. You win, you go into the final, you lose, you're out. I feel all elements converge for a magnificent contest.

Rival Coach

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

Now, repeating that performance could be very challenging, netting six times against that side. I would take a really lousy 1-0 victory should we achieve it. Certain supporters approach and mention to me: 'That was an amazing match', despite not being born at the time. They relate to me their ancestors and parents spoke about it regularly. It evolved into a decisive encounter for our club, not merely in that term, but likely for future progress.

The anxiety for approximately three days prior to the match, and then should you secure success, significant comfort. And I think that's what the legendary Walter Smith frequently stated similarly, that it was relief more than anything else. However these were magnificent contests really. It remains a wonderful encounter.

This represents an important match for us. Honestly, don't conceal that fact. It's a semi-final encounter, it's a big match for our squad. Any Celtic-Rangers game constitutes a significant occasion, though especially considering the conditions of recent times, if not weeks, absolutely.

Coaching Background

Two different coaches on the sidelines this afternoon though there's a significant difference in Old Firm experience between them. Danny Röhl faces his debut as the Rangers boss whereas Martin O'Neill prepares to oversee his twenty-eighth.

Today's result could have a major impact on the duration O'Neill's second spell as (interim, for now) Celtic boss lasts, as Ewan Murray has considered.

They could potentially invest substantial compensation to persuade Kieran McKenna from Ipswich. They might consider a larger risk with Robbie Keane. The title holders might choose to offer Club Brugge's Nicky Hayen an initial experience in British football. These are all gambles to varying degrees. More than O'Neill? This is debatable.

Starting Lineups

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 starts preferred to Kieran Tierney at left-back. James Forrest is additionally excluded of the XI that defeated Falkirk in their recent match.

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

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

James Tavernier is selected over Max Aarons on the right side, featuring Mohamed Diomande for the suspended Connor Barron in central areas and Thelo Aasgaard chosen over Mikey Moore in attack.

Match Preview

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