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Match Coverage

The players head out amid the roar, Hampden Park separated evenly between blue and green. To earn the chance to play St Mirren FC here this December … the action begins.

Additional Fixtures

Additional games: John Brewin is on our minute-by-minute coverage for West Ham v Newcastle in the EPL; Yara El-Shaboury brings the newest developments from the early kick-offs in the WSL.

As for us, approximately five minutes remain before the game begins at Hampden Park!

Officiating Team

Nick Walsh is the man in the middle today. He was also the referee for last year's Scottish Cup final between Celtic and Rangers and a Europa League match in the last term where he showed four dismissals and a dozen bookings. Avoid challenging him.

Dugout Views

The Rangers manager: Despite this being his debut in this fixture, the new Rangers manager has stated clearly recently that he's familiar with taking part in other major rivalries as a coach, during his time at Bayern and with Sheffield Wednesday.

I recall during Hansi Flick's appointment, our subsequent fixture took place against Dortmund at our stadium. We secured a 4-0 victory. It consistently offers motivation when you triumph in such matches. Furthermore, in the EFL Championship in the Sheffield derby, I participated there too. 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 hold great admiration for such a coaching career. I believe it's always impressive for a coach when you remain active for so many years in this business 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 let's see what we can contribute through our squads in this encounter.

I'm incredibly enthusiastic. I have had some experience though I anticipate a massive occasion on Sunday. To participate in such a match, everything is at stake. Victory means reaching the final, you lose, you're out. I think everything is on for a magnificent contest.

Rival Coach

The experienced boss: The temporary Celtic boss has been reflecting this week concerning his debut match against Rangers a quarter-century ago, the 6-2 'Demolition Derby'.

Certainly, matching that achievement may prove quite arduous, netting six times against that side. I'd settle for an unattractive 1-0 win if we could get it. Various individuals tell me and mention to me: 'That was a fantastic encounter', despite not being born at the time. They inform me their grandfathers and fathers discussed it frequently. It transformed into a crucial game for our club, not just that season, but probably for continuing on.

The nervousness for about 72 hours before, and then should you secure success, a great relief. And I think that's what the legendary Walter Smith often mentioned too, that it was relief more than anything else. Yet these represented superb matches genuinely. It remains a wonderful encounter.

This represents an important match for our team. Really, don't disguise that at all. It's a semi-final, it's a crucial contest for our side. Every Old Firm match is a big game, however specifically because of the circumstances of recent times, possibly even months, absolutely.

Dugout History

Two different coaches leading their teams today yet there's a substantial disparity in Old Firm experience among them. Danny Röhl faces his debut as the Rangers boss whereas Martin O'Neill prepares to oversee his twenty-eighth.

This match's conclusion could have a major impact on the duration O'Neill's comeback as temporary Celtic manager persists, as Ewan Murray has been pondering.

The club might spend five million pounds in compensation to coax Kieran McKenna away from Ipswich. They might consider a more significant chance involving Robbie Keane. The reigning champions might choose to offer Nicky Hayen from Club Brugge a debut opportunity in British football. These constitute chances in different manners. 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.

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

Marcelo Sarrachi begins ahead of Kieran Tierney in the left-back position. James Forrest is additionally excluded from the starting lineup that defeated Falkirk during the week.

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 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 offensive positions.

Opening Context

Good afternoon and welcome to this derby match. It's got to be better {than last time|compared to the previous meeting|versus