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The players head out amid the roar, Hampden separated evenly with blue and green sections. To earn the chance to face St Mirren here in December … the action begins.

Additional Fixtures

Other football: John Brewin is on our minute-by-minute coverage for West Ham v Newcastle in the Premier League; Yara El-Shaboury brings the newest developments from the day's opening matches in the Women's Super League.

Regarding our coverage, we're only five minutes away before the game begins at the national stadium!

Match Officials

Nick Walsh is the man in the middle today. He was also the referee for last year's Scottish Cup final featuring these two rivals plus a European fixture in the last term when he distributed four sending-offs and twelve cautions. Avoid challenging him.

Coaching Perspectives

The German coach: While this is his first Old Firm, the new Rangers manager has made it clear recently that he's used to taking part in other significant derbies in his coaching career, with Bayern Munich and with Sheffield Wednesday.

I recollect when Hansi Flick assumed control, our second game was versus Dortmund at home. We triumphed 4-0. It always provides a lift following success in these encounters. Additionally, in England's second tier in the Steel derby, I was involved in that as well. I recognize the importance to the supporters. This is more than just a game.

The 36-year-old German has been complimenting 73-year-old Martin O'Neill's longevity.

I feel a big respect for such a coaching career. I think it is always great as a manager when you remain active for so many years in this field and accomplish your objectives.

I'm merely commencing my coaching path. I have a lot of work to do to reach that level though the encouraging factor we commence evenly matched, distinct coaching generations and let's see what we can demonstrate with our teams in this fixture.

I'm incredibly enthusiastic. I've accumulated certain experiences but I expect a massive occasion this Sunday. To be part of such a game, the stakes are extremely high. Success secures a final place, defeat means elimination. I feel all elements converge for an outstanding match.

Counterpart Perspective

The Celtic manager: The Celtic interim manager has recently been recalling regarding his initial encounter with Rangers two and a half decades past, the 6-2 'Demolition Derby'.

Now, repeating that performance may prove quite arduous, scoring six goals against that side. I'd settle for a really lousy 1-0 victory should we achieve it. Various individuals tell me and mention to me: 'That was a fantastic encounter', though they weren't alive then. They relate to me their ancestors and parents discussed it frequently. It evolved into a decisive encounter for our team, not merely in that term, but possibly for sustained development.

The tension for nearly 72 hours prior to the match, and subsequently if you achieved victory, a great relief. And I believe that's exactly the legendary Walter Smith used to say about it as well, that comfort surpassed other feelings. However these were magnificent contests truly. It's still a fantastic fixture.

This constitutes a significant fixture for us. Really, don't disguise that at all. It's a semi-final, it's a crucial contest for us. Each encounter between these rivals is a big game, however specifically because of the situation of the past few days, if not recent weeks, certainly.

Coaching Background

Two different coaches leading their teams today but there's a big gap in derby experience separating them. Danny Röhl is experiencing his first as Rangers manager whereas Martin O'Neill prepares to oversee of his 28th.

This match's conclusion may substantially affect on how long O'Neill's comeback as (interim, for now) Celtic boss persists, as Ewan Murray has considered.

Celtic could pay £5m in compensation to persuade Kieran McKenna from Ipswich Town. They could take a larger risk with Robbie Keane. The Scottish champions might choose to offer Club Brugge manager Nicky Hayen an initial experience in British football. These are all gambles in different manners. Beyond O'Neill? This is debatable.

First XIs

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 features ahead of Kieran Tierney on the left defensive flank. James Forrest is also omitted of the XI that defeated Falkirk in midweek.

Rangers (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 receives preference instead of Max Aarons on the right side, featuring Mohamed Diomande for the suspended Connor Barron in central areas with Thelo Aasgaard favored over Mikey Moore in offensive positions.

Match Preview

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