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The squads take the field into the noise, Hampden split down the middle with blue and green sections. For the right to meet St Mirren at this venue next month … it all kicks off.

Additional Fixtures

Additional games: John Brewin is on our minute-by-minute coverage for West Ham vs Newcastle in England's top flight; Yara El-Shaboury brings the newest developments from the initial games in the women's top division.

As for us, there's just over five minutes before the game begins at Hampden!

Match Officials

Nick Walsh will referee today. He was also the referee for last year's Scottish Cup final featuring these two rivals and a continental game last season where he showed four dismissals and a dozen bookings. Don't cross him.

Manager Insights

The Rangers manager: Despite this being his debut in this fixture, the new Rangers manager has stated clearly this week that he's familiar with participating in other important local clashes in his coaching career, with Bayern Munich and with Sheffield Wednesday.

I recollect when Hansi Flick assumed control, our second game took place against Dortmund at our stadium. We secured a 4-0 victory. It is always a booster if you win such a game. Furthermore, in the Championship in the Sheffield derby, I participated there too. I recognize the importance for the fans. This represents more than a simple match.

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

I have tremendous respect for such a managerial journey. I believe it's always impressive in this profession when you sustain your career over decades in this industry and achieve success.

I am just at the beginning my professional journey. I have a lot of work to do to achieve similar status however the positive aspect we start at 0-0, separate eras and we'll discover what we can demonstrate with our teams in this encounter.

I'm tremendously excited. I have had some experience though I anticipate an enormous event during Sunday's match. To be involved in this fixture, the stakes are extremely high. Success secures a final place, defeat means elimination. I think everything is on for a magnificent contest.

Opposition Manager

Martin O'Neill: The stand-in manager has recently been recalling about his first meeting with Rangers 25 years ago, the 6-2 'Demolition Derby'.

Well, replicating that might be extremely difficult, scoring six goals versus that team. I would accept a scrappy single-goal triumph if we managed to secure it. Certain supporters approach and mention to me: 'That was an amazing match', and they weren't even born. They inform me their ancestors and parents discussed it frequently. It evolved into a decisive encounter for our team, not merely in that term, but probably for continuing on.

The nervousness for about 72 hours before, and subsequently if you achieved victory, tremendous relief. And I feel that's precisely the renowned Walter Smith often mentioned too, that relief outweighed other emotions. However these were magnificent contests truly. It remains a wonderful encounter.

This constitutes a significant fixture for our team. Honestly, don't conceal that fact. It's a last-four clash, it's a crucial contest for our side. Each encounter between these rivals constitutes a significant occasion, however specifically because of the conditions of recent times, possibly even months, absolutely.

Coaching Background

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 as the Rangers boss while Martin O'Neill is about to take charge of his 28th.

Today's result could have a major impact on how long O'Neill's comeback as (interim, for now) Celtic boss continues, as Ewan Murray has considered.

They could potentially invest substantial compensation to lure Kieran McKenna away from Ipswich. They might consider an even bigger gamble with Robbie Keane. The Scottish champions might choose to offer Nicky Hayen from Club Brugge an initial experience of British football. These are all gambles in their own way. Even more than O'Neill? This is debatable.

Starting Lineups

Celtic (4-3-3): Schmeichel; Ralston, Trusty, Scales, Sarrachi; McGregor, Engels, Nygren; Maeda, Kenny, Tounekti.

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

Marcelo Sarrachi features instead of Kieran Tierney at left-back. James Forrest is additionally excluded from the starting lineup that beat 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 in the right flank position, with Mohamed Diomande coming in for the suspended Connor Barron in central areas and Thelo Aasgaard chosen to Mikey Moore in attack.

Opening Context

Hello and welcome to the Old Firm. It should be improved {than last time|compared to the previous meeting|versus