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The teams emerge into the noise, Hampden separated evenly between blue and green. For the right to play St Mirren in this stadium this December … it all kicks off.

Additional Fixtures

Additional games: John Brewin offers real-time commentary for West Ham vs Newcastle in the EPL; Yara El-Shaboury has all the latest from the early kick-offs in the WSL.

Regarding our coverage, there's just over five minutes before the start at Hampden!

Referee Information

Nick Walsh is the man in the middle this afternoon. He also refereed last year's Scottish Cup final involving Celtic and Rangers plus a European fixture the previous campaign where he showed four red cards and a dozen bookings. Don't cross him.

Manager Insights

The German coach: While this is his first Old Firm, the new Rangers manager has made it clear in recent days that he's used to being involved in other significant derbies during his managerial journey, during his time at Bayern plus his stint at Wednesday.

I recollect when Hansi Flick took over, our subsequent fixture took place against Dortmund at our stadium. We won 4-0. It consistently offers motivation following success in these encounters. Additionally, in the EFL Championship in the Steel derby, I was involved in that as well. I recognize the importance to the supporters. This transcends ordinary football.

The 36-year-old German has been praising Martin O'Neill's lengthy tenure at 73.

I have tremendous respect for such a managerial journey. I believe it's always impressive for a coach when you work so long in this business and you are successful.

I'm merely commencing my professional journey. I have a lot of work to do to reach that level but the good thing is we start at 0-0, different generations and we'll discover what we can bring with our teams in this fixture.

I'm incredibly enthusiastic. I've gained some experience but I expect a massive occasion during Sunday's match. To be involved in this fixture, everything is at stake. Success secures a final place, you lose, you're out. I believe all factors align for an outstanding match.

Opposition Manager

Martin O'Neill: The stand-in manager has been reflecting this week about his first meeting versus their rivals 25 years ago, the famous 6-2 demolition.

Now, repeating that performance may prove quite arduous, scoring six goals versus that team. I'd settle for a really lousy 1-0 victory if we managed to secure it. Various individuals tell me and mention to me: 'That was a great game', though they weren't alive then. They tell me their family members spoke about it regularly. It evolved into a decisive encounter for our club, not just that season, but likely for future progress.

The anxiety for approximately three days beforehand, and then should you secure success, a great relief. And I believe that's exactly the legendary Walter Smith often mentioned too, that relief outweighed other emotions. But they were fantastic fixtures truly. It continues to be a superb rivalry.

This constitutes a significant fixture for us. Truthfully, don't hide that reality. It's a semi-final, it's a big match for us. Any Celtic-Rangers game represents a major event, however specifically because of the situation of the recent days, if not recent weeks, absolutely.

Coaching Background

Two new managers on the sidelines this afternoon though there's a significant difference in rivalry knowledge among them. Danny Röhl encounters his inaugural leading Rangers while Martin O'Neill gets ready to manage his twenty-eighth.

This match's conclusion might significantly influence on how long O'Neill's second spell as (interim, for now) Celtic boss lasts, as Ewan Murray has reflected.

The club might spend five million pounds in compensation to persuade Kieran McKenna away from Ipswich. They may attempt an even bigger gamble on Robbie Keane. The reigning champions may opt to give Nicky Hayen from Club Brugge a first taste within British soccer. These constitute chances in their own way. Even more than O'Neill? This is debatable.

First XIs

Celtic (4-3-3): Schmeichel; Ralston, Trusty, Scales, Sarrachi; McGregor, Engels, Nygren; Maeda, Kenny, Tounekti.

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

Marcelo Sarrachi features ahead of Kieran Tierney in the left-back position. James Forrest is additionally excluded from the starting lineup that beat Falkirk in their recent match.

Rangers FC (3-4-3): Butland; Djiga, Souttar, Cornelius; Tavernier, Diomande, Raskin, Meghoma; Aasgaard, Chermiti, Danilo.

Substitutes: Kelly, Aarons, Fernández, Rothwell, Antman, Moore, Gassama, Curtis, Miovski.

James Tavernier is selected instead of Max Aarons in the right flank position, with Mohamed Diomande coming in replacing the banned Connor Barron in midfield and Thelo Aasgaard chosen instead of Mikey Moore in forward roles.

Preamble

Hello and welcome to this derby match. It ought to be superior {than last time|compared to the previous meeting|versus