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Match Coverage

The squads take the field into the noise, Hampden divided in two between blue and green. For the right to face St Mirren in this stadium this December … here we go.

Other Football

Other football: John Brewin provides live updates for West Ham v Newcastle in England's top flight; Yara El-Shaboury has all the latest from the day's opening matches in the women's top division.

As for us, approximately five minutes remain before the start at Hampden!

Officiating Team

Nick Walsh is the man in the middle today. He previously officiated last year's Scottish Cup final involving Celtic and Rangers plus a European fixture in the last term during which he issued four dismissals and a dozen bookings. Don't cross him.

Dugout Views

Danny Röhl: While this is his first Old Firm, the recently appointed boss has emphasized in recent days that he's used to taking part in other major rivalries as a coach, with Bayern Munich plus his stint at Wednesday.

I can remember when Hansi Flick took over, our following match was at home against Dortmund. We triumphed 4-0. It consistently offers motivation following success in these encounters. Additionally, in England's second tier in the Sheffield derby, I was involved in that as well. I know what it means among the followers. This is more than just a game.

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

I hold great admiration for that type of coaching legacy. I consider it consistently remarkable as a manager when you remain active for so many years in this field and achieve success.

I am just at the beginning my coaching path. I have substantial work ahead to come to this point but the good thing is we commence evenly matched, distinct coaching generations and let's see what we can bring with our teams in this fixture.

I'm tremendously excited. I've gained some experience though I anticipate a massive occasion this Sunday. To be part of such a game, it's all or nothing. You win, you go into the final, a loss ends your participation. I believe all factors align for a magnificent contest.

Rival Coach

Martin O'Neill: The Celtic interim manager has this week been reminiscing concerning his debut match against Rangers two and a half decades past, the famous 6-2 demolition.

Now, repeating that performance could be very challenging, scoring six goals against those opponents. I'd settle for a scrappy single-goal triumph should we achieve it. Some lads come up and mention to me: 'That was an amazing match', despite not being born at the time. They inform me their ancestors and parents discussed it frequently. It evolved into a decisive encounter for our team, not only during that campaign, but probably for continuing on.

The nervousness for about 72 hours beforehand, and subsequently if you achieved victory, significant comfort. And I believe that's exactly the great Walter Smith used to say about it as well, that relief outweighed other emotions. But they were fantastic fixtures truly. It continues to be a superb rivalry.

This represents an important match for our club. Really, don't disguise that at all. It's a last-four clash, it's a big match for our side. Every Old Firm match is a big game, but particularly given the conditions of the past few days, possibly even months, certainly.

Managerial Experience

Two fresh managers in the dugouts today though there's a significant difference in rivalry knowledge separating them. Danny Röhl encounters his inaugural as Rangers manager while Martin O'Neill gets ready to manage of his 28th.

The outcome today could have a major impact regarding the tenure O'Neill's comeback as stand-in Celtic coach persists, as Ewan Murray has been pondering.

The club might spend £5m in compensation to coax Kieran McKenna from Ipswich Town. They may attempt a larger risk involving Robbie Keane. The reigning champions might choose to offer Club Brugge's Nicky Hayen a debut opportunity of British football. These represent risks in their own way. Beyond O'Neill? This remains questionable.

Starting Lineups

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

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

Marcelo Sarrachi features ahead of Kieran Tierney on the left defensive flank. James Forrest is additionally excluded from the starting lineup that overcame Falkirk during the week.

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 on the right, including Mohamed Diomande taking Connor Barron's suspended place in central areas with Thelo Aasgaard favored to Mikey Moore in forward roles.

Preamble

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