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Live Updates

The teams emerge amid the roar, Hampden divided in two with blue and green sections. For the opportunity to play St Mirren FC in this stadium this December … the action begins.

Additional Fixtures

More matches: John Brewin provides live updates for the West Ham-Newcastle clash in England's top flight; Yara El-Shaboury has all the latest from the initial games in the WSL.

Regarding our coverage, there's just over five minutes until kick-off at Hampden!

Referee Information

Nick Walsh will referee this match. He also refereed last year's Scottish Cup final between Celtic and Rangers and a continental game last season during which he issued four sending-offs and 12 yellows. Steer clear of confrontation.

Coaching Perspectives

Danny Röhl: While this is his first Old Firm, the new Rangers manager has made it clear this week that he's used to participating in other significant derbies during his managerial journey, with Bayern Munich and Sheffield Wednesday.

I recollect during Hansi Flick's appointment, our second game was at home against Dortmund. We secured a 4-0 victory. It consistently offers motivation following success in these encounters. Furthermore, in England's second tier during the Steel City derby, I participated there too. I recognize the importance for the fans. This transcends ordinary football.

The young coach has also been lauding 73-year-old Martin O'Neill's longevity.

I hold great admiration for such a managerial journey. I believe it's always impressive for a coach when you remain active for so many years in this business and you are successful.

I am just at the beginning of my career. I have substantial work ahead to achieve similar status but the good thing is we begin level, distinct coaching generations and let's see what we can bring through our squads in this encounter.

I'm tremendously excited. I've accumulated certain experiences though I anticipate an enormous event on Sunday. To participate in such a match, it's all or nothing. Victory means reaching the final, defeat means elimination. I think everything is on for a magnificent contest.

Counterpart Perspective

Martin O'Neill: The temporary Celtic boss has recently been recalling concerning his debut match against Rangers a quarter-century ago, the 6-2 'Demolition Derby'.

Now, repeating that performance could be very challenging, netting six times versus that team. I would accept an unattractive 1-0 win if we could get it. Certain supporters approach and say to me: 'That was an amazing match', though they weren't alive then. They tell me their ancestors and parents discussed it frequently. It transformed into a crucial game for our club, not only during that campaign, but probably for continuing on.

The nervousness for about 72 hours beforehand, and then if you got the result, significant comfort. And I believe that's exactly the renowned Walter Smith often mentioned too, that relief outweighed other emotions. However these were magnificent contests genuinely. It's still a fantastic fixture.

This constitutes a significant fixture for us. Really, don't disguise that at all. It's a last-four clash, it's an important game for us. Any Celtic-Rangers game represents a major event, though especially considering the conditions of recent times, possibly even months, absolutely.

Dugout History

Two fresh managers leading their teams today but there's a big gap in derby experience between them. Danny Röhl is experiencing his first as Rangers manager while Martin O'Neill gets ready to manage of his 28th.

This match's conclusion might significantly influence regarding the tenure O'Neill's second spell as stand-in Celtic coach lasts, as Ewan Murray has considered.

Celtic could pay £5m in compensation to persuade Kieran McKenna from Ipswich Town. They might consider a more significant chance involving Robbie Keane. The title holders may opt to give Club Brugge's Nicky Hayen a first taste of British football. These constitute chances in their own way. Beyond O'Neill? This is debatable.

Starting Lineups

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 at left-back. James Forrest is additionally excluded from the first team that defeated Falkirk during the week.

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 receives preference over Max Aarons in the right flank position, with Mohamed Diomande coming in for the suspended Connor Barron in central areas with Thelo Aasgaard favored over Mikey Moore in offensive positions.

Preamble

Greetings and welcome to this Old Firm clash. It should be improved {than last time|compared to the previous meeting|versus