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The squads take the field into the noise, Hampden divided in two between blue and green. To earn the chance to meet St Mirren at this venue next month … the action begins.

Additional Fixtures

Other football: John Brewin offers real-time commentary for West Ham v Newcastle in the Premier League; Yara El-Shaboury has all the latest from the initial games in the WSL.

Regarding our coverage, approximately five minutes remain before the game begins at Hampden!

Referee Information

Nick Walsh is the man in the middle this match. He previously officiated last year's Scottish Cup final featuring these two rivals and a continental game last season when he distributed four red cards and twelve cautions. Avoid challenging him.

Dugout Views

Danny Röhl: While this is his first Old Firm, the recently appointed boss has stated clearly recently that he's familiar with taking part in other major rivalries during his managerial journey, with Bayern Munich and Sheffield Wednesday.

I can remember during Hansi Flick's appointment, our following match was at home against Dortmund. We secured a 4-0 victory. It always provides a lift if you win such a game. Furthermore, in England's second tier during the Steel City derby, I was involved in that as well. I understand the significance among the followers. This transcends ordinary football.

The German manager has been praising Martin O'Neill's lengthy tenure at 73.

I feel a big respect for such a coaching career. I believe it's always impressive as a manager when you work so long in this field and you are successful.

I'm only starting out my professional journey. I have substantial work ahead 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 have had some experience though I anticipate a massive occasion this Sunday. To participate in such a match, everything is at stake. Success secures a final place, a loss ends your participation. I believe all factors align for a great, great game.

Rival Coach

The Celtic manager: The temporary Celtic boss has recently been recalling regarding his initial encounter against Rangers a quarter-century ago, the memorable 6-2 victory.

Now, repeating that performance could be very challenging, netting six times against that side. I would accept a scrappy single-goal triumph if we could get it. Some lads come up and say to me: 'That was a great game', though they weren't alive then. They relate to me their ancestors and parents discussed it frequently. It transformed into a crucial game for us, not only during that campaign, 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 comfort surpassed other feelings. However these were magnificent contests truly. It continues to be a superb rivalry.

This constitutes a significant fixture for our team. Truthfully, don't hide that reality. It's a last-four clash, it's a crucial contest for our squad. Every Old Firm match represents a major event, but particularly given the situation of the recent days, possibly even months, certainly.

Managerial Experience

Two fresh managers in the dugouts today yet there's a substantial disparity in Old Firm experience between them. Danny Röhl is experiencing his first leading Rangers while Martin O'Neill is about to take charge his 28th such match.

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

The club might spend five million pounds in compensation to coax Kieran McKenna away from Ipswich. They might consider an even bigger gamble on Robbie Keane. The Scottish champions could decide to provide Club Brugge manager Nicky Hayen a debut opportunity in British football. These constitute chances to varying degrees. More than O'Neill? This is debatable.

Team Selections

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 ahead of Kieran Tierney at left-back. James Forrest is additionally excluded from the first team that beat Falkirk during the week.

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 in the right flank position, featuring Mohamed Diomande replacing the banned Connor Barron in midfield with Thelo Aasgaard favored over Mikey Moore in forward roles.

Match Preview

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