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Match Coverage

The teams emerge to a thunderous reception, Hampden Park separated evenly into blue and green. For the right to face St Mirren in this stadium next month … it all kicks off.

Other Matches

Other football: John Brewin offers real-time commentary for West Ham vs Newcastle in the EPL; Yara El-Shaboury delivers fresh updates from the day's opening matches in the women's top division.

Regarding our coverage, there's just over five minutes before the start at the national stadium!

Officiating Team

Nick Walsh is the man in the middle this match. He was also the referee for last year's Scottish Cup final involving Celtic and Rangers and a continental game in the last term when he distributed four dismissals and a dozen bookings. Don't cross him.

Dugout Views

The German coach: Despite this being his debut in this fixture, the new Rangers manager has made it clear in recent days that he's used to being involved in other major rivalries in his coaching career, at Bayern Munich plus his stint at Wednesday.

I recall when Hansi Flick took over, our second game was at home against Dortmund. We triumphed 4-0. It is always a booster when you triumph in such matches. As well, in the Championship during the Steel City derby, I was involved in that as well. I understand the significance among the followers. This transcends ordinary football.

The 36-year-old German has been complimenting the enduring career of 73-year-old Martin O'Neill.

I feel a big respect for that type of coaching legacy. I think it is always great for a coach when you remain active for so many years in this industry and you are successful.

I'm merely commencing my professional journey. I have substantial work ahead to come to this point however the positive aspect we start at 0-0, distinct coaching generations and we'll observe what we can contribute through our squads in this game.

I am very excited. I've accumulated certain experiences though I anticipate a big, big one during Sunday's match. To be involved in this fixture, it's all or nothing. You win, you go into the final, a loss ends your participation. I feel all elements converge for a great, great game.

Opposition Manager

The Celtic manager: The stand-in manager has this week been reminiscing concerning his debut match with Rangers two and a half decades past, the memorable 6-2 victory.

Now, repeating that performance might be extremely difficult, putting six past them against those opponents. I would take a scrappy single-goal triumph if we could get it. Various individuals tell me and inform me: 'That was an amazing match', though they weren't alive then. They inform me their family members discussed it frequently. It transformed into a crucial game for us, not only during that campaign, but likely for future progress.

The tension for nearly 72 hours before, and subsequently if you achieved victory, tremendous relief. And I feel that's precisely the legendary Walter Smith frequently stated similarly, that it was relief more than anything else. However these were magnificent contests genuinely. It continues to be a superb rivalry.

This constitutes a significant fixture for our team. Truthfully, don't hide that reality. It's a semi-final, it's a crucial contest for us. Each encounter between these rivals is a big game, but particularly given the situation of recent times, if not weeks, absolutely.

Managerial Experience

Two new managers in the dugouts today yet there's a substantial disparity in rivalry knowledge separating them. Danny Röhl faces his debut leading Rangers whereas Martin O'Neill prepares to oversee his 28th such match.

The outcome today might significantly influence on the duration O'Neill's second spell as temporary Celtic manager persists, as Ewan Murray has reflected.

The club might spend five million pounds in compensation to persuade Kieran McKenna from Ipswich Town. They could take a more significant chance on Robbie Keane. The reigning champions could decide to provide Club Brugge manager Nicky Hayen an initial experience within British soccer. These are all gambles in different manners. More than O'Neill? This remains questionable.

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 begins preferred to Kieran Tierney on the left defensive flank. James Forrest also drops out from the starting lineup that overcame Falkirk in their recent match.

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 gets the nod ahead of Max Aarons in the right flank position, with Mohamed Diomande coming in replacing the banned Connor Barron in central areas and Thelo Aasgaard chosen over Mikey Moore in offensive positions.

Preamble

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