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The teams emerge into the noise, Hampden Park divided in two with blue and green sections. For the opportunity to face St Mirren at this venue in December … it all kicks off.

Other Football

Other football: John Brewin offers real-time commentary for West Ham v Newcastle in the EPL; Yara El-Shaboury has all the latest from the day's opening matches in the Women's Super League.

Turning to this match, there's just over five minutes before the game begins at Hampden!

Match Officials

Nick Walsh takes charge this afternoon. He was also the referee for last year's Scottish Cup final featuring these two rivals and a continental game in the last term during which he issued four sending-offs and twelve cautions. Steer clear of confrontation.

Dugout Views

Danny Röhl: Although this marks his initial Old Firm, the fresh-faced gaffer has made it clear this week that he's accustomed to participating in other important local clashes in his coaching career, during his time at Bayern plus his stint at Wednesday.

I recollect when Hansi Flick assumed control, our following match was versus Dortmund at home. We secured a 4-0 victory. It always provides a lift when you triumph in such matches. Furthermore, in the EFL Championship in the Sheffield derby, I was also part [of it] there. I understand the significance to the supporters. This represents more than a simple match.

The young coach has been praising Martin O'Neill's lengthy tenure at 73.

I have tremendous respect for such a managerial journey. I consider it consistently remarkable for a coach when you sustain your career over decades in this field and achieve success.

I'm merely commencing of my career. There's much work remaining to reach that level however the positive aspect we commence evenly matched, different generations and we'll observe what we can bring through our squads in this fixture.

I'm incredibly enthusiastic. I've accumulated certain experiences but I expect a massive occasion during Sunday's match. To be involved in this fixture, the stakes are extremely high. Success secures a final place, a loss ends your participation. I think everything is on for a great, great game.

Opposition Manager

The Celtic manager: The Celtic interim manager has this week been reminiscing about his first meeting versus their rivals a quarter-century ago, the memorable 6-2 victory.

Certainly, matching that achievement may prove quite arduous, scoring six goals against that side. I would accept a really lousy 1-0 victory should we achieve it. Various individuals tell me and say to me: 'That was an amazing match', and they weren't even born. They relate to me their family members were talking about it. It evolved into a decisive encounter for our team, not only during that campaign, but possibly for sustained development.

The tension for nearly 72 hours before, and then if you got the result, a great relief. And I believe that's exactly the renowned Walter Smith used to say about it as well, that it was relief more than anything else. However these were magnificent contests really. It's still a fantastic fixture.

This is a big game for our team. Honestly, don't conceal that fact. It's a semi-final encounter, it's a crucial contest for us. Each encounter between these rivals is a big game, however specifically because of the conditions of the past few days, if not weeks, definitely.

Dugout History

Two different coaches on the sidelines this afternoon though there's a significant difference in Old Firm experience separating them. Danny Röhl faces his debut as Rangers manager while Martin O'Neill gets ready to manage his twenty-eighth.

The outcome today might significantly influence on how long O'Neill's second spell as temporary Celtic manager continues, as Ewan Murray has reflected.

Celtic could pay £5m in compensation to persuade Kieran McKenna from Ipswich Town. They might consider a larger risk on Robbie Keane. The Scottish champions could decide to provide Club Brugge manager Nicky Hayen a debut opportunity within British soccer. These represent risks in different manners. Even more than O'Neill? This is arguable.

Starting Lineups

Celtic FC (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 starts instead of Kieran Tierney in the left-back position. James Forrest also drops out of the XI that overcame 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 instead of Max Aarons on the right side, featuring Mohamed Diomande for the suspended Connor Barron in central areas and Thelo Aasgaard preferred to Mikey Moore in offensive positions.

Preamble

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