Celtic FC v Rangers FC – Scottish Cup Semi-Final Clash

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The teams emerge into the noise, Hampden Park split down the middle between blue and green. For the right to meet St Mirren at this venue this December … it all kicks off.

Other Football

Additional games: John Brewin provides live updates for West Ham v Newcastle in the Premier League; Yara El-Shaboury has all the latest from the day's opening matches in the Women's Super League.

Regarding our coverage, we're only five minutes away before the start at Hampden!

Officiating Team

Nick Walsh takes charge this afternoon. He also refereed last year's Scottish Cup final between Celtic and Rangers and a continental game in the last term where he showed four dismissals and twelve cautions. Avoid challenging him.

Coaching Perspectives

The German coach: While this is his first Old Firm, the recently appointed boss has made it clear this week that he's accustomed to taking part in other important local clashes in his coaching career, with Bayern Munich and Sheffield Wednesday.

I recall when Hansi Flick took over, our second game was versus Dortmund at home. We won 4-0. It is always a booster following success in these encounters. Furthermore, in England's second tier in the Sheffield derby, I was also part [of it] there. 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 feel a big respect for such a coaching career. I think it is always great as a manager when you sustain your career over decades in this business and accomplish your objectives.

I am just at the beginning my professional journey. I have a lot of work to do to come to this point however the positive aspect we start at 0-0, separate eras and let's see what we can bring with our teams in this fixture.

I'm tremendously excited. I've gained some experience but I expect an enormous event during Sunday's match. To participate in such a match, the stakes are extremely high. Victory means reaching the final, you lose, you're out. I feel all elements converge for a magnificent contest.

Rival Coach

The Celtic manager: The Celtic interim manager has recently been recalling concerning his debut match against Rangers a quarter-century ago, the famous 6-2 demolition.

Well, replicating that could be very challenging, netting six times against those opponents. I would take an unattractive 1-0 win if we could get it. Certain supporters approach and say to me: 'That was an amazing match', and they weren't even born. They tell me their grandfathers and fathers discussed it frequently. It transformed into a crucial game for our team, not just that season, but likely for future progress.

The nervousness for about 72 hours before, and then should you secure success, tremendous relief. And I believe that's exactly the great Walter Smith frequently stated similarly, that comfort surpassed other feelings. Yet these represented superb matches genuinely. It continues to be a superb rivalry.

This represents an important match for us. Truthfully, don't hide that reality. It's a last-four clash, it's an important game for our squad. Each encounter between these rivals is a big game, but particularly given the conditions of the recent days, if not recent weeks, absolutely.

Dugout History

Two new managers in the dugouts today but there's a big gap in derby experience among them. Danny Röhl encounters his inaugural as the Rangers boss while Martin O'Neill gets ready to manage of his 28th.

Today's result could have a major impact on the duration O'Neill's comeback as temporary Celtic manager continues, as Ewan Murray has reflected.

The club might spend substantial compensation to persuade Kieran McKenna from Ipswich. They may attempt a larger risk on Robbie Keane. The reigning champions might choose to offer Nicky Hayen from Club Brugge a debut opportunity in British football. These represent risks in their own way. Even more than O'Neill? This is debatable.

Starting Lineups

Celtic (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 preferred to Kieran Tierney at left-back. James Forrest is also omitted from the starting lineup that overcame Falkirk in midweek.

Rangers (3-4-3): Butland; Djiga, Souttar, Cornelius; Tavernier, Diomande, Raskin, Meghoma; Aasgaard, Chermiti, Danilo.

Reserves: 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 central areas with Thelo Aasgaard favored instead of Mikey Moore in offensive positions.

Preamble

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