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Match Coverage

The players head out amid the roar, Hampden divided in two with blue and green sections. For the right to meet St Mirren FC at this venue in December … here we go.

Additional Fixtures

More matches: John Brewin provides live updates for West Ham vs Newcastle in the EPL; Yara El-Shaboury brings the newest developments from the day's opening matches in the WSL.

Regarding our coverage, approximately five minutes remain before the game begins at the national stadium!

Referee Information

Nick Walsh is the man in the middle this afternoon. He previously officiated last year's Scottish Cup final featuring these two rivals and a continental game last season during which he issued four sending-offs and 12 yellows. Don't cross him.

Manager Insights

Danny Röhl: While this is his first Old Firm, the fresh-faced gaffer has stated clearly recently that he's familiar with being involved in other important local clashes as a coach, with Bayern Munich plus his stint at Wednesday.

I can remember when Hansi Flick assumed control, our following match took place against Dortmund at our stadium. We won 4-0. It is always a booster following success in these encounters. Furthermore, in the EFL Championship in the Steel derby, I was involved in that as well. I know what it means for the fans. This transcends ordinary football.

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

I feel a big respect for that type of coaching legacy. I consider it consistently remarkable as a manager when you work so long in this business and achieve success.

I'm merely commencing of my career. I have a lot of work to do to come to this point but the good thing is we commence evenly matched, distinct coaching generations and let's see what we can demonstrate through our squads in this fixture.

I am very excited. I've accumulated certain experiences yet I foresee an enormous event during Sunday's match. To participate in such a match, the stakes are extremely high. Success secures a final place, a loss ends your participation. I feel all elements converge for an outstanding match.

Counterpart Perspective

The Celtic manager: The stand-in manager has this week been reminiscing about his first meeting with Rangers 25 years ago, the 6-2 'Demolition Derby'.

Certainly, matching that achievement might be extremely difficult, putting six past them against those opponents. I'd settle for a really lousy 1-0 victory if we could get it. Certain supporters approach and mention to me: 'That was an amazing match', despite not being born at the time. They tell me their ancestors and parents spoke about it regularly. It became a really pivotal match for our team, not only during that campaign, but probably for continuing on.

The nervousness for about 72 hours before, and subsequently if you achieved victory, significant comfort. And I feel that's precisely the renowned Walter Smith often mentioned too, that it was relief more than anything else. Yet these represented superb matches really. It remains a wonderful encounter.

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 us. Every Old Firm match constitutes a significant occasion, but particularly given the circumstances of the past few days, if not recent weeks, absolutely.

Managerial Experience

Two fresh managers leading their teams today yet there's a substantial disparity in rivalry knowledge separating them. Danny Röhl encounters his inaugural as the Rangers boss while Martin O'Neill is about to take charge of his 28th.

The outcome today could have a major impact regarding the tenure O'Neill's comeback as (interim, for now) Celtic boss continues, as Ewan Murray has been pondering.

The club might spend £5m in compensation to persuade Kieran McKenna from Ipswich Town. They may attempt a more significant chance with Robbie Keane. The Scottish champions may opt to give Club Brugge manager Nicky Hayen a first taste in British football. These represent risks to varying degrees. Beyond O'Neill? This is arguable.

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 in the left-back position. James Forrest is also omitted from the starting lineup that overcame Falkirk in midweek.

Rangers FC (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 gets the nod ahead of Max Aarons on the right, featuring Mohamed Diomande for the suspended Connor Barron in the middle with Thelo Aasgaard favored over Mikey Moore in forward roles.

Preamble

Good afternoon and welcome to this derby match. It should be improved {than last time|compared to the previous meeting|versus