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The players head out to a thunderous reception, Hampden split down the middle with blue and green sections. For the opportunity to meet St Mirren FC in this stadium in December … here we go.

Additional Fixtures

Other football: John Brewin offers real-time commentary for the West Ham-Newcastle clash in the EPL; Yara El-Shaboury has all the latest from the early kick-offs 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 also refereed last year's Scottish Cup final featuring these two rivals plus a European fixture last season during which he issued four dismissals and a dozen bookings. Steer clear of confrontation.

Manager Insights

The Rangers manager: While this is his first Old Firm, the fresh-faced gaffer has emphasized recently that he's accustomed to taking part in other significant derbies during his managerial journey, with Bayern Munich and with Sheffield Wednesday.

I can remember during Hansi Flick's appointment, our subsequent fixture took place against Dortmund at our stadium. We won 4-0. It is always a booster if you win such a game. Additionally, in the EFL Championship in the Steel derby, I was involved in that as well. I recognize the importance to the supporters. This transcends ordinary football.

The German manager has been praising the enduring career of 73-year-old Martin O'Neill.

I hold great admiration for such a coaching career. I believe it's always impressive in this profession when you work so long in this field and accomplish your objectives.

I'm merely commencing my professional journey. There's much work remaining to achieve similar status though the encouraging factor we start at 0-0, separate eras and we'll observe what we can bring with our teams in this encounter.

I'm incredibly enthusiastic. I've accumulated certain experiences but I expect a big, big one this Sunday. To be part of such a game, the stakes are extremely high. Victory means reaching the final, you lose, you're out. I think everything is on for a great, great game.

Counterpart Perspective

The Celtic manager: The temporary Celtic boss has this week been reminiscing about his first meeting versus their rivals two and a half decades past, the memorable 6-2 victory.

Certainly, matching that achievement may prove quite arduous, scoring six goals against that side. I'd settle for a really lousy 1-0 victory if we could get it. Certain supporters approach and say to me: 'That was a great game', and they weren't even born. They tell me their ancestors and parents were talking about it. It became a really pivotal match for us, not only during that campaign, but probably for continuing on.

The nervousness for about 72 hours prior to the match, and then if you got the result, tremendous relief. And I think that's what the great Walter Smith often mentioned too, that comfort surpassed other feelings. However these were magnificent contests truly. It continues to be a superb rivalry.

This constitutes a significant fixture for our team. Really, don't disguise that at all. It's a semi-final encounter, it's a crucial contest for our side. Any Celtic-Rangers game constitutes a significant occasion, though especially considering the conditions of the past few days, if not weeks, definitely.

Coaching Background

Two fresh managers on the sidelines this afternoon yet there's a substantial disparity in derby experience among 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 on how long O'Neill's comeback as temporary Celtic manager persists, as Ewan Murray has reflected.

They could potentially invest five million pounds in compensation to coax Kieran McKenna away from Ipswich. They may attempt a larger risk on Robbie Keane. The Scottish champions could decide to provide Club Brugge's Nicky Hayen a first taste within British soccer. These constitute chances 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.

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

Marcelo Sarrachi starts instead of Kieran Tierney on the left defensive flank. James Forrest also drops out from the first team that overcame Falkirk during the week.

Rangers FC (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 is selected instead of Max Aarons on the right side, featuring Mohamed Diomande taking Connor Barron's suspended place in midfield and Thelo Aasgaard chosen to Mikey Moore in attack.

Preamble

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