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The players head out to a thunderous reception, Hampden Park split down the middle with blue and green sections. To earn the chance to play St Mirren here next month … here we go.

Other Matches

Other football: John Brewin provides live updates for West Ham v Newcastle in the Premier League; Yara El-Shaboury delivers fresh updates from the initial games in the Women's Super League.

Regarding our coverage, we're only five minutes away before the start at Hampden!

Referee Information

Nick Walsh takes charge this match. He also refereed last year's Scottish Cup final between Celtic and Rangers and a Europa League match the previous campaign when he distributed four dismissals and a dozen bookings. Avoid challenging him.

Dugout Views

The German coach: Although this marks his initial Old Firm, the recently appointed boss has stated clearly recently that he's used to being involved in other significant derbies during his managerial journey, with Bayern Munich and with Sheffield Wednesday.

I recollect when Hansi Flick took over, our subsequent fixture took place against Dortmund at our stadium. We won 4-0. It consistently offers motivation if you win such a game. As well, in England's second tier in the Steel derby, I participated there too. I recognize the importance among the followers. This represents more than a simple match.

The young coach has also been lauding 73-year-old Martin O'Neill's longevity.

I feel a big respect for such a coaching career. I consider it consistently remarkable as a manager when you remain active for so many years in this field and achieve success.

I'm merely commencing my professional journey. I have a lot of work to do to reach that level however the positive aspect we start at 0-0, distinct coaching generations and we'll discover what we can demonstrate via our selections in this encounter.

I'm incredibly enthusiastic. I have had some experience yet I foresee a massive occasion on Sunday. To be involved in this fixture, the stakes are extremely high. Success secures a final place, defeat means elimination. I believe all factors align for a great, great game.

Opposition Manager

Martin O'Neill: The Celtic interim manager has this week been reminiscing concerning his debut match versus their rivals two and a half decades past, the famous 6-2 demolition.

Now, repeating that performance could be very challenging, scoring six goals versus that team. I would accept a really lousy 1-0 victory if we managed to secure it. Various individuals tell me and say to me: 'That was a great game', and they weren't even born. They inform me their grandfathers and fathers were talking about it. It became a really pivotal match for our team, not only during that campaign, but probably for continuing on.

The tension for nearly 72 hours beforehand, and then if you got the result, significant comfort. And I believe that's exactly the legendary Walter Smith often mentioned too, that relief outweighed other emotions. Yet these represented superb matches genuinely. It's still a fantastic fixture.

This constitutes a significant fixture for our team. Honestly, don't conceal that fact. It's a semi-final, it's a crucial contest for our squad. Any Celtic-Rangers game constitutes a significant occasion, but particularly given the circumstances of recent times, possibly even months, absolutely.

Coaching Background

Two fresh managers leading their teams today but there's a big gap in rivalry knowledge between them. Danny Röhl encounters his inaugural leading Rangers while Martin O'Neill gets ready to manage his 28th such match.

Today's result may substantially affect on the duration O'Neill's second spell as temporary Celtic manager continues, as Ewan Murray has been pondering.

They could potentially invest substantial compensation to coax Kieran McKenna away from Ipswich. They could take a more significant chance involving Robbie Keane. The reigning champions might choose to offer Nicky Hayen from Club Brugge a debut opportunity within British soccer. These are all gambles in their own way. 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.

Subs: Sinisalo, Balikwisha, Yang, Osmand, McCowan, Hatate, Murray, Forrest, Tierney.

Marcelo Sarrachi features preferred to Kieran Tierney at left-back. James Forrest also drops out of the XI that beat Falkirk during the week.

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 gets the nod over Max Aarons in the right flank position, including Mohamed Diomande taking Connor Barron's suspended place in central areas with Thelo Aasgaard favored to Mikey Moore in forward roles.

Match Preview

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