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Live Updates

The teams emerge to a thunderous reception, Hampden Park split down the middle into blue and green. For the opportunity to face St Mirren here next month … here we go.

Other Matches

Other football: John Brewin provides live updates for the West Ham-Newcastle clash in the Premier League; Yara El-Shaboury has all the latest from the early kick-offs in the Women's Super League.

Regarding our coverage, approximately five minutes remain before the start at Hampden Park!

Officiating Team

Nick Walsh will referee this afternoon. He also refereed last year's Scottish Cup final featuring these two rivals and a Europa League match the previous campaign where he showed four sending-offs and a dozen bookings. Don't cross him.

Dugout Views

The Rangers manager: Despite this being his debut in this fixture, the recently appointed boss has made it clear recently that he's familiar with being involved in other major rivalries during his managerial journey, during his time at Bayern and with Sheffield Wednesday.

I can remember when Hansi Flick took over, our second game took place against Dortmund at our stadium. We triumphed 4-0. It is always a booster if you win such a game. Additionally, in the Championship in the Sheffield derby, I was involved in that as well. I understand the significance for the fans. This transcends ordinary football.

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

I have tremendous respect for that type of coaching legacy. I consider it consistently remarkable for a coach when you sustain your career over decades in this industry and accomplish your objectives.

I'm only starting out of my career. I have a lot of work to do to reach that level but the good thing is we commence evenly matched, distinct coaching generations and we'll observe what we can contribute with our teams in this encounter.

I am very excited. I've gained some experience though I anticipate a massive occasion on Sunday. To be involved in this fixture, the stakes are extremely high. Victory means reaching the final, a loss ends your participation. I feel all elements converge for a magnificent contest.

Rival Coach

The experienced boss: The stand-in manager has recently been recalling regarding his initial encounter against Rangers a quarter-century ago, the famous 6-2 demolition.

Certainly, matching that achievement may prove quite arduous, putting six past them against those opponents. I would accept a scrappy single-goal triumph should we achieve it. Various individuals tell me and mention to me: 'That was an amazing match', and they weren't even born. They relate to me their ancestors and parents were talking about it. It evolved into a decisive encounter for our club, not merely in that term, but probably for continuing on.

The nervousness for about 72 hours before, and then should you secure success, a great relief. And I feel that's precisely the legendary Walter Smith often mentioned too, that it was relief more than anything else. However these were magnificent contests genuinely. It's still a fantastic fixture.

This is a big game for us. Really, don't disguise that at all. It's a semi-final, it's a big match for our side. Each encounter between these rivals constitutes a significant occasion, but particularly given the conditions of the recent days, if not weeks, absolutely.

Managerial Experience

Two different coaches in the dugouts today yet there's a substantial disparity in rivalry knowledge among them. Danny Röhl encounters his inaugural leading Rangers 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 return as (interim, for now) Celtic boss continues, as Ewan Murray has reflected.

The club might spend £5m in compensation to persuade Kieran McKenna from Ipswich. They might consider a larger risk with Robbie Keane. The Scottish champions could decide to provide Club Brugge's Nicky Hayen a first taste in British football. These constitute chances in their own way. Even more than O'Neill? This is arguable.

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 at left-back. James Forrest is also omitted of the XI that beat Falkirk in midweek.

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 receives preference ahead of Max Aarons in the right flank position, including Mohamed Diomande for the suspended Connor Barron in midfield and Thelo Aasgaard preferred to Mikey Moore in attack.

Match Preview

Good afternoon and welcome to this Old Firm clash. It ought to be superior {than last time|compared to the previous meeting|versus