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Match Coverage

The players head out amid the roar, Hampden split down the middle with blue and green sections. For the right to play St Mirren FC in this stadium in December … the action begins.

Other Matches

More matches: John Brewin offers real-time commentary for West Ham vs Newcastle in the EPL; Yara El-Shaboury delivers fresh updates from the initial games in the WSL.

Turning to this match, we're only five minutes away before the game begins at Hampden Park!

Referee Information

Nick Walsh is the man in the middle this afternoon. He was also the referee for last year's Scottish Cup final featuring these two rivals and a continental game last season during which he issued four dismissals and 12 yellows. Steer clear of confrontation.

Dugout Views

Danny Röhl: While this is his first Old Firm, the fresh-faced gaffer has made it clear this week that he's used to being involved in other significant derbies in his coaching career, with Bayern Munich and Sheffield Wednesday.

I recollect during Hansi Flick's appointment, our second game took place against Dortmund at our stadium. We triumphed 4-0. It consistently offers motivation if you win such a game. As well, in England's second tier in the Steel derby, I was also part [of it] there. I understand the significance to the supporters. This transcends ordinary football.

The young coach 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 as a manager when you remain active for so many years in this business and achieve success.

I'm merely commencing my coaching path. There's much work remaining to come to this point but the good thing is we begin level, separate eras and let's see what we can demonstrate through our squads in this game.

I am very excited. I've accumulated certain experiences yet I foresee a massive occasion on Sunday. To participate in such a match, it's all or nothing. Victory means reaching the final, defeat means elimination. I feel all elements converge for a magnificent contest.

Rival Coach

Martin O'Neill: The Celtic interim manager has been reflecting this week about his first meeting versus their rivals a quarter-century ago, the 6-2 'Demolition Derby'.

Well, replicating that might be extremely difficult, scoring six goals versus that team. I would take a scrappy single-goal triumph if we could get it. Certain supporters approach and say to me: 'That was a fantastic encounter', despite not being born at the time. They inform me their ancestors and parents discussed it frequently. It became a really pivotal match for us, not just that season, but likely for future progress.

The nervousness for about 72 hours prior to the match, and subsequently if you achieved victory, tremendous relief. And I believe that's exactly the great Walter Smith used to say about it as well, that it was relief more than anything else. However these were magnificent contests truly. It's still a fantastic fixture.

This represents an important match for us. Really, don't disguise that at all. It's a last-four clash, it's a big match for our side. Any Celtic-Rangers game constitutes a significant occasion, though especially considering the situation of the recent days, possibly even months, certainly.

Coaching Background

Two fresh managers leading their teams today but there's a big gap in Old Firm experience among them. Danny Röhl is experiencing his first leading Rangers while Martin O'Neill is about to take charge his 28th such match.

This match's conclusion might significantly influence on how long O'Neill's second spell as temporary Celtic manager continues, as Ewan Murray has considered.

They could potentially invest £5m in compensation to lure Kieran McKenna from Ipswich. They might consider a larger risk with Robbie Keane. The title holders might choose to offer Club Brugge manager Nicky Hayen an initial experience in British football. These constitute chances to varying degrees. More than O'Neill? This remains questionable.

Team Selections

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 starts ahead of Kieran Tierney on the left defensive flank. James Forrest is additionally excluded from the first team that beat Falkirk during the week.

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 is selected over Max Aarons on the right, with Mohamed Diomande coming in for the suspended Connor Barron in the middle and Thelo Aasgaard chosen to Mikey Moore in offensive positions.

Match Preview

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