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Live Updates

The players head out to a thunderous reception, Hampden Park split down the middle into blue and green. For the opportunity to face St Mirren FC in this stadium next month … it all kicks off.

Other Football

More matches: John Brewin provides live updates for the West Ham-Newcastle clash in the EPL; Yara El-Shaboury delivers fresh updates from the initial games in the Women's Super League.

As for us, approximately five minutes remain until kick-off at Hampden!

Match Officials

Nick Walsh will referee this afternoon. He previously officiated last year's Scottish Cup final between Celtic and Rangers and a continental game in the last term when he distributed four sending-offs and a dozen bookings. Don't cross him.

Dugout Views

The Rangers manager: While this is his first Old Firm, the new Rangers manager has emphasized recently that he's used to participating in other major rivalries as a coach, during his time at Bayern and with Sheffield Wednesday.

I recall when Hansi Flick took over, our subsequent fixture took place against Dortmund at our stadium. We won 4-0. It is always a booster following success in these encounters. Furthermore, in England's second tier during the Steel City derby, I participated there too. I recognize the importance to the supporters. This transcends ordinary football.

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

I hold great admiration for such a managerial journey. I believe it's always impressive as a manager when you sustain your career over decades in this business and achieve success.

I am just at the beginning my coaching path. There's much work remaining to achieve similar status but the good thing is we commence evenly matched, separate eras and we'll observe what we can contribute with our teams in this encounter.

I'm tremendously excited. I've accumulated certain experiences though I anticipate a massive occasion 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 Celtic interim manager has this week been reminiscing regarding his initial encounter with Rangers two and a half decades past, the 6-2 'Demolition Derby'.

Certainly, matching that achievement could be very challenging, netting six times against that side. I would take a really lousy 1-0 victory if we could get it. Various individuals tell me and inform me: 'That was a great game', despite not being born at the time. They tell me their grandfathers and fathers discussed it frequently. It evolved into a decisive encounter for our team, not just that season, but likely for future progress.

The tension for nearly 72 hours prior to the match, and then should you secure success, significant comfort. And I believe that's exactly the great Walter Smith frequently stated similarly, that relief outweighed other emotions. Yet these represented superb matches really. It continues to be a superb rivalry.

This is a big game for us. Honestly, don't conceal that fact. It's a last-four clash, it's a big match for our squad. Any Celtic-Rangers game represents a major event, but particularly given the situation of the past few days, if not weeks, absolutely.

Managerial Experience

Two fresh managers in the dugouts today but there's a big gap in rivalry knowledge among them. Danny Röhl encounters his inaugural leading Rangers while Martin O'Neill gets ready to manage of his 28th.

The outcome today might significantly influence on the duration O'Neill's second spell as stand-in Celtic coach lasts, as Ewan Murray has considered.

They could potentially invest five million pounds in compensation to coax Kieran McKenna from Ipswich. They may attempt a larger risk on Robbie Keane. The reigning champions might choose to offer Nicky Hayen from Club Brugge an initial experience within British soccer. These represent risks in different manners. More than O'Neill? This is arguable.

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 starts preferred to Kieran Tierney on the left defensive flank. James Forrest is additionally excluded from the first team that beat Falkirk in midweek.

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 receives preference ahead of Max Aarons in the right flank position, including Mohamed Diomande taking Connor Barron's suspended place in the middle and Thelo Aasgaard preferred instead of Mikey Moore in attack.

Match Preview

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