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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 right to meet St Mirren at this venue next month … it all kicks off.

Other Matches

More matches: John Brewin provides live updates for West Ham vs Newcastle in the Premier League; Yara El-Shaboury has all the latest from the initial games in the women's top division.

As for us, we're only five minutes away before the start at Hampden!

Referee Information

Nick Walsh takes charge this match. He previously officiated last year's Scottish Cup final featuring these two rivals and a continental game the previous campaign 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 fresh-faced gaffer has emphasized in recent days that he's accustomed to being involved in other significant derbies during his managerial journey, at Bayern Munich and Sheffield Wednesday.

I can remember when Hansi Flick took over, our following match was at home against Dortmund. We secured a 4-0 victory. It is always a booster when you triumph in such matches. As well, in the EFL Championship in the Steel derby, I participated there too. I understand the significance to the supporters. This is more than just a game.

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

I feel a big respect for such a coaching career. I believe it's always impressive in this profession when you sustain your career over decades in this business and accomplish your objectives.

I'm only starting out of my career. I have substantial work ahead to come to this point however the positive aspect we commence evenly matched, different generations and let's see what we can bring with our teams in this game.

I am very excited. I've gained some experience but I expect an enormous event during Sunday's match. To be part of such a game, everything is at stake. You win, you go into the final, you lose, you're out. I believe all factors align for an outstanding match.

Counterpart Perspective

The Celtic manager: The temporary Celtic boss has this week been reminiscing concerning his debut match with Rangers 25 years ago, the 6-2 'Demolition Derby'.

Certainly, matching that achievement might be extremely difficult, putting six past them versus that team. I would take an unattractive 1-0 win should we achieve it. Some lads come up and inform me: 'That was an amazing match', and they weren't even born. They tell me their family members discussed it frequently. It became a really pivotal match for our club, not just that season, but probably for continuing on.

The tension for nearly 72 hours prior to the match, and then if you got the result, significant comfort. And I feel that's precisely the great Walter Smith frequently stated similarly, that it was relief more than anything else. But they were fantastic fixtures truly. It's still a fantastic fixture.

This represents an important match for us. Truthfully, don't hide that reality. It's a semi-final encounter, it's a crucial contest for our side. Every Old Firm match represents a major event, though especially considering the conditions of recent times, if not recent weeks, certainly.

Dugout History

Two fresh managers in the dugouts today yet there's a substantial disparity in rivalry knowledge between them. Danny Röhl faces his debut leading Rangers while Martin O'Neill gets ready to manage of his 28th.

Today's result could have a major impact on how long O'Neill's comeback as temporary Celtic manager persists, as Ewan Murray has considered.

They could potentially invest substantial compensation to persuade Kieran McKenna from Ipswich. They might consider a more significant chance on Robbie Keane. The Scottish champions may opt to give Club Brugge manager Nicky Hayen a first taste of British football. These represent risks to varying degrees. Beyond O'Neill? This is arguable.

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 instead of Kieran Tierney at left-back. James Forrest is also omitted from the first team that overcame Falkirk in their recent match.

Rangers (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, featuring Mohamed Diomande taking Connor Barron's suspended place in the middle with Thelo Aasgaard favored to Mikey Moore in forward roles.

Match Preview

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