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

Other Matches

Other football: John Brewin offers real-time commentary for West Ham vs Newcastle in England's top flight; Yara El-Shaboury has all the latest from the initial games in the women's top division.

Turning to this match, we're only five minutes away before the start at Hampden Park!

Referee Information

Nick Walsh is the man in the middle this match. He also refereed last year's Scottish Cup final involving Celtic and Rangers plus a European fixture in the last term when he distributed four dismissals and twelve cautions. Steer clear of confrontation.

Dugout Views

Danny Röhl: Although this marks his initial Old Firm, the recently appointed boss has emphasized recently that he's familiar with being involved in other major rivalries during his managerial journey, at Bayern Munich and with Sheffield Wednesday.

I recollect during Hansi Flick's appointment, our subsequent fixture was versus Dortmund at home. We secured a 4-0 victory. It always provides a lift following success in these encounters. Additionally, in England's second tier in the Sheffield derby, I participated there too. I know what it means to the supporters. This is more than just a game.

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

I feel a big respect for such a managerial journey. I think it is always great in this profession when you work so long in this industry and you are successful.

I'm merely commencing my coaching path. There's much work remaining to achieve similar status however the positive aspect we begin level, distinct coaching generations and we'll observe what we can demonstrate with our teams in this game.

I'm tremendously excited. I've accumulated certain experiences yet I foresee an enormous event on Sunday. To be part of such a game, it's all or nothing. Victory means reaching the final, a loss ends your participation. I think everything is on for a great, great game.

Counterpart Perspective

The Celtic manager: The stand-in manager has recently been recalling about his first meeting versus their rivals 25 years ago, the famous 6-2 demolition.

Now, repeating that performance could be very challenging, putting six past them against that side. I would accept an unattractive 1-0 win if we managed to secure it. Some lads come up and inform me: 'That was an amazing match', despite not being born at the time. They inform me their family members spoke about it regularly. It became a really pivotal match for our club, not merely in that term, but probably for continuing on.

The nervousness for about 72 hours before, and then should you secure success, a great relief. And I feel that's precisely the great Walter Smith often mentioned too, that it was relief more than anything else. However these were magnificent contests really. It continues to be a superb rivalry.

This is a big game for us. 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, though especially considering the circumstances of the past few days, if not weeks, absolutely.

Dugout History

Two new managers on the sidelines this afternoon yet there's a substantial disparity in Old Firm experience separating them. Danny Röhl faces his debut leading Rangers whereas Martin O'Neill prepares to oversee his twenty-eighth.

The outcome today might significantly influence regarding the tenure O'Neill's second spell as temporary Celtic manager continues, as Ewan Murray has considered.

Celtic could pay £5m in compensation to coax Kieran McKenna away from Ipswich. They could take an even bigger gamble on Robbie Keane. The reigning champions could decide to provide Nicky Hayen from Club Brugge an initial experience within British soccer. These constitute chances in different manners. Even more than O'Neill? This remains questionable.

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 begins preferred to Kieran Tierney in the left-back position. James Forrest also drops out from the first team that defeated Falkirk in their recent match.

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 gets the nod ahead of Max Aarons on the right side, featuring Mohamed Diomande replacing the banned Connor Barron in midfield and Thelo Aasgaard preferred instead of Mikey Moore in forward roles.

Opening Context

Hello and welcome to this derby match. It ought to be superior {than last time|compared to the previous meeting|versus