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The players head out amid the roar, Hampden Park separated evenly with blue and green sections. To earn the chance to meet St Mirren at this venue this December … the action begins.

Other Football

Other football: John Brewin offers real-time commentary for the West Ham-Newcastle clash in England's top flight; Yara El-Shaboury delivers fresh updates from the initial games in the WSL.

As for us, there's just over five minutes until kick-off at Hampden!

Match Officials

Nick Walsh will referee this afternoon. He previously officiated last year's Scottish Cup final involving Celtic and Rangers plus a European fixture last season during which he issued four red cards and 12 yellows. Avoid challenging him.

Dugout Views

The German coach: While this is his first Old Firm, the fresh-faced gaffer has made it clear in recent days that he's used to being involved in other major rivalries as a coach, at Bayern Munich plus his stint at Wednesday.

I recollect when Hansi Flick assumed control, 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 is more than just a game.

The young coach has been complimenting 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 sustain your career over decades in this industry and you are successful.

I am just at the beginning of my career. There's much work remaining to come to this point however the positive aspect we start at 0-0, different generations and we'll observe what we can demonstrate with our teams in this fixture.

I'm incredibly enthusiastic. I've accumulated certain experiences though I anticipate a massive occasion on Sunday. To be involved in this fixture, it's all or nothing. You win, you go into the final, a loss ends your participation. I think everything is on for a great, great game.

Counterpart Perspective

The Celtic manager: The temporary Celtic boss has this week been reminiscing regarding his initial encounter with Rangers 25 years ago, the famous 6-2 demolition.

Now, repeating that performance might be extremely difficult, netting six times versus that team. I would take a scrappy single-goal triumph should we achieve it. Various individuals tell me and say to me: 'That was a fantastic encounter', despite not being born at the time. They inform me their ancestors and parents spoke about it regularly. It became a really pivotal match for us, not only during that campaign, but possibly for sustained development.

The anxiety for approximately three days beforehand, and then if you got the result, a great relief. And I feel that's precisely the legendary Walter Smith frequently stated similarly, that it was relief more than anything else. But they were fantastic fixtures truly. It's still a fantastic fixture.

This is a big game for our team. Honestly, don't conceal that fact. It's a semi-final, it's a big match for our squad. Any Celtic-Rangers game constitutes a significant occasion, however specifically because of the circumstances of recent times, if not recent weeks, definitely.

Coaching Background

Two new managers on the sidelines this afternoon but there's a big gap in Old Firm experience among them. Danny Röhl encounters his inaugural as Rangers manager while Martin O'Neill is about to take charge his 28th such match.

The outcome today might significantly influence on how long O'Neill's comeback as temporary Celtic manager continues, as Ewan Murray has been pondering.

Celtic could pay £5m in compensation to persuade Kieran McKenna from Ipswich. They may attempt an even bigger gamble involving Robbie Keane. The Scottish champions could decide to provide Nicky Hayen from Club Brugge a debut opportunity within British soccer. These represent risks in their own way. Beyond 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 instead of Kieran Tierney at left-back. James Forrest is also omitted of the XI that beat Falkirk in midweek.

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

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

James Tavernier is selected ahead of Max Aarons in the right flank position, featuring Mohamed Diomande replacing the banned Connor Barron in central areas with Thelo Aasgaard favored instead of Mikey Moore in attack.

Preamble

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