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The teams emerge amid the roar, Hampden split down the middle between blue and green. For the opportunity to meet St Mirren FC in this stadium this December … here we go.
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Additional games: John Brewin offers real-time commentary for West Ham vs Newcastle in the EPL; Yara El-Shaboury brings the newest developments from the day's opening matches in the women's top division.
Turning to this match, approximately five minutes remain before the start at Hampden Park!
Match Officials
Nick Walsh takes charge today. He was also the referee for last year's Scottish Cup final involving Celtic and Rangers and a Europa League match in the last term when he distributed four sending-offs and a dozen bookings. Steer clear of confrontation.
Manager Insights
The Rangers manager: Although this marks his initial Old Firm, the new Rangers manager has made it clear in recent days that he's used to taking part in other important local clashes during his managerial journey, at Bayern Munich and with Sheffield Wednesday.
I can remember during Hansi Flick's appointment, our second game was versus Dortmund at home. We triumphed 4-0. It consistently offers motivation when you triumph in such matches. Furthermore, in England's second tier in the Steel derby, I was involved in that as well. I recognize the importance for the fans. This is more than just a game.
The 36-year-old German has been complimenting the enduring career of 73-year-old Martin O'Neill.
I feel a big respect for such a managerial journey. I think it is always great in this profession when you remain active for so many years in this business and achieve success.
I'm only starting out my professional journey. I have a lot of work to do to reach that level but the good thing is we begin level, different generations and we'll observe what we can bring with our teams in this fixture.
I am very excited. I've gained some experience yet I foresee an enormous event during Sunday's match. To be part of such a game, everything is at stake. Success secures a final place, a loss ends your participation. I feel all elements converge for a magnificent contest.
Counterpart Perspective
Martin O'Neill: The temporary Celtic boss has this week been reminiscing concerning his debut match with Rangers 25 years ago, the famous 6-2 demolition.
Now, repeating that performance might be extremely difficult, putting six past them against that side. I'd settle for a scrappy single-goal triumph should we achieve it. Certain supporters approach and inform me: 'That was a great game', and they weren't even born. They tell me their ancestors and parents discussed it frequently. It evolved into a decisive encounter for our club, not only during that campaign, but likely for future progress.
The tension for nearly 72 hours beforehand, and then if you got the result, tremendous relief. And I feel that's precisely the renowned Walter Smith frequently stated similarly, that relief outweighed other emotions. Yet these represented superb matches really. It's still a fantastic fixture.
This constitutes a significant fixture for our club. Truthfully, don't hide that reality. It's a last-four clash, it's an important game for us. Any Celtic-Rangers game is a big game, but particularly given the conditions of the past few days, if not recent weeks, absolutely.
Dugout History
Two different coaches in the dugouts today yet there's a substantial disparity in rivalry knowledge among them. Danny Röhl is experiencing his first leading Rangers while Martin O'Neill gets ready to manage his twenty-eighth.
The outcome today could have a major impact on how long O'Neill's comeback as stand-in Celtic coach persists, as Ewan Murray has reflected.
Celtic could pay £5m in compensation to persuade Kieran McKenna from Ipswich Town. They might consider an even bigger gamble on Robbie Keane. The title holders might choose to offer Club Brugge manager Nicky Hayen a first taste in British football. These constitute chances in their own way. More than O'Neill? This remains questionable.
Starting Lineups
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 begins preferred to Kieran Tierney on the left defensive flank. James Forrest is also omitted from the first team that overcame Falkirk in midweek.
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 is selected over Max Aarons on the right side, featuring Mohamed Diomande taking Connor Barron's suspended place in central areas with Thelo Aasgaard favored over Mikey Moore in offensive positions.
Match Preview
Greetings and welcome to the Old Firm. It should be improved {than last time|compared to the previous meeting|versus
