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The teams emerge into the noise, Hampden Park divided in two between blue and green. For the right to meet St Mirren in this stadium next month … it all kicks off.

Other Football

Additional games: John Brewin offers real-time commentary for the West Ham-Newcastle clash in England's top flight; Yara El-Shaboury has all the latest from the day's opening matches in the women's top division.

As for us, we're only five minutes away before the start at Hampden!

Officiating Team

Nick Walsh will referee this match. He also refereed last year's Scottish Cup final between Celtic and Rangers and a continental game in the last term during which he issued four sending-offs and twelve cautions. Avoid challenging him.

Coaching Perspectives

The Rangers manager: Despite this being his debut in this fixture, the new Rangers manager has made it clear this week that he's used to participating in other important local clashes as a coach, during his time at Bayern 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. Additionally, in the Championship in the Steel derby, I was also part [of it] there. I recognize the importance among the followers. This transcends ordinary football.

The German manager has been praising 73-year-old Martin O'Neill's longevity.

I feel a big respect for such a managerial journey. I believe it's always impressive in this profession when you sustain your career over decades in this field and you are successful.

I'm merely commencing my professional journey. There's much work remaining to reach that level though the encouraging factor we start at 0-0, different generations and let's see what we can demonstrate with our teams in this game.

I'm tremendously excited. I have had some experience but I expect an enormous event this Sunday. To be part of such a game, everything is at stake. Success secures a final place, a loss ends your participation. I think everything is on for a magnificent contest.

Counterpart Perspective

The Celtic manager: The Celtic interim manager has recently been recalling regarding his initial encounter with Rangers two and a half decades past, the 6-2 'Demolition Derby'.

Certainly, matching that achievement may prove quite arduous, netting six times versus that team. I'd settle for an unattractive 1-0 win if we managed to secure it. Certain supporters approach and inform 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 our club, not only during that campaign, but likely for future progress.

The anxiety for approximately three days prior to the match, and then should you secure success, tremendous relief. And I think that's what the legendary Walter Smith frequently stated similarly, that comfort surpassed other feelings. However these were magnificent contests really. It remains a wonderful encounter.

This constitutes a significant fixture for us. Truthfully, don't hide that reality. It's a semi-final encounter, it's a crucial contest for our side. Each encounter between these rivals is a big game, though especially considering the conditions of the past few days, if not recent weeks, certainly.

Dugout History

Two fresh managers in the dugouts today yet there's a substantial disparity in Old Firm experience between them. Danny Röhl encounters his inaugural as Rangers manager whereas Martin O'Neill prepares to oversee of his 28th.

Today's result could have a major impact on the duration O'Neill's return as (interim, for now) Celtic boss continues, as Ewan Murray has reflected.

The club might spend £5m in compensation to lure Kieran McKenna from Ipswich. They might consider a more significant chance involving Robbie Keane. The reigning champions may opt to give Club Brugge's Nicky Hayen an initial experience in British football. These constitute chances in their own way. Beyond O'Neill? This is debatable.

First XIs

Celtic (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 starts instead of Kieran Tierney in the left-back position. James Forrest also drops out of the XI that beat Falkirk in their recent match.

Rangers FC (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 ahead of Max Aarons on the right side, with Mohamed Diomande coming in for the suspended Connor Barron in the middle with Thelo Aasgaard favored instead of Mikey Moore in attack.

Match Preview

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