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The players head out into the noise, Hampden split down the middle with blue and green sections. For the right to play St Mirren FC in this stadium this December … the action begins.

Other Football

More matches: John Brewin provides live updates for West Ham vs Newcastle in the Premier League; Yara El-Shaboury brings the newest developments from the initial games in the women's top division.

As for us, we're only five minutes away before the start at the national stadium!

Match Officials

Nick Walsh takes charge this match. He was also the referee for last year's Scottish Cup final featuring these two rivals and a continental game the previous campaign during which he issued four dismissals and twelve cautions. Don't cross him.

Manager Insights

The Rangers manager: Although this marks his initial Old Firm, the fresh-faced gaffer has made it clear recently that he's used to participating in other important local clashes in his coaching career, during his time at Bayern plus his stint at Wednesday.

I recollect during Hansi Flick's appointment, our subsequent fixture was at home against Dortmund. We won 4-0. It always provides a lift following success in these encounters. Additionally, in England's second tier in the Steel derby, I was involved in that as well. I recognize the importance among the followers. This represents more than a simple match.

The 36-year-old German has been complimenting Martin O'Neill's lengthy tenure at 73.

I hold great admiration for that type of coaching legacy. I think it is always great in this profession when you work so long in this business and you are successful.

I am just at the beginning my coaching path. There's much work remaining to achieve similar status though the encouraging factor we start at 0-0, distinct coaching generations and let's see what we can bring with our teams in this game.

I'm tremendously excited. I have had some experience yet I foresee a big, big one on Sunday. To participate in such a match, the stakes are extremely high. Victory means reaching the final, a loss ends your participation. I feel all elements converge for a great, great game.

Rival Coach

Martin O'Neill: The stand-in manager has been reflecting this week concerning his debut match with Rangers a quarter-century ago, the memorable 6-2 victory.

Certainly, matching that achievement may prove quite arduous, scoring six goals against that side. I would take a scrappy single-goal triumph if we could get it. Certain supporters approach and say to me: 'That was a fantastic encounter', despite not being born at the time. They relate to me their family members spoke about it regularly. It transformed into a crucial game for our club, not only during that campaign, but probably for continuing on.

The nervousness for about 72 hours beforehand, and then if you got the result, significant comfort. And I think that's what the legendary Walter Smith frequently stated similarly, that comfort surpassed other feelings. Yet these represented superb matches really. It's still a fantastic fixture.

This represents an important match for us. Really, don't disguise that at all. It's a semi-final, it's an important game for our squad. Any Celtic-Rangers game is a big game, though especially considering the situation of the recent days, if not recent weeks, absolutely.

Dugout History

Two different coaches leading their teams today but there's a big gap in derby experience between them. Danny Röhl is experiencing his first as Rangers manager while Martin O'Neill is about to take charge of his 28th.

The outcome today may substantially affect regarding the tenure O'Neill's second spell as stand-in Celtic coach continues, as Ewan Murray has been pondering.

The club might spend £5m in compensation to lure Kieran McKenna from Ipswich. They could take an even bigger gamble with Robbie Keane. The reigning champions could decide to provide Club Brugge's Nicky Hayen an initial experience of British football. These are all gambles in their own way. Beyond O'Neill? This is arguable.

First XIs

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 features ahead of Kieran Tierney on the left defensive flank. James Forrest also drops out of the XI that overcame Falkirk in midweek.

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 instead of Max Aarons on the right, with Mohamed Diomande coming in replacing the banned Connor Barron in midfield and Thelo Aasgaard chosen to 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