The players head out into the noise, Hampden divided in two into blue and green. To earn the chance to face St Mirren in this stadium this December … here we go.
Other football: John Brewin is on our minute-by-minute coverage for West Ham vs Newcastle in the Premier League; Yara El-Shaboury has all the latest from the initial games in the Women's Super League.
Turning to this match, approximately five minutes remain before the start at Hampden!
Nick Walsh is the man in the middle this afternoon. He previously officiated last year's Scottish Cup final involving Celtic and Rangers and a Europa League match in the last term where he showed four dismissals and a dozen bookings. Don't cross him.
The Rangers manager: While this is his first Old Firm, the new Rangers manager has emphasized recently that he's accustomed to participating in other major rivalries in his coaching career, with Bayern Munich and Sheffield Wednesday.
I recollect when Hansi Flick took over, our subsequent fixture was versus Dortmund at home. We won 4-0. It is always a booster when you triumph in such matches. Additionally, in the EFL Championship during the Steel City derby, I was involved in that as well. I recognize the importance for the fans. This is more than just a game.
The German manager has been praising the enduring career of 73-year-old Martin O'Neill.
I have tremendous 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 field and you are successful.
I am just at the beginning my professional journey. There's much work remaining to achieve similar status though the encouraging factor we commence evenly matched, different generations and let's see what we can contribute through our squads in this encounter.
I'm tremendously excited. I've accumulated certain experiences yet I foresee a big, big one during Sunday's match. To be involved in this fixture, the stakes are extremely high. Success secures a final place, defeat means elimination. I believe all factors align for an outstanding match.
The Celtic manager: The temporary Celtic boss has been reflecting this week regarding his initial encounter with Rangers two and a half decades past, the famous 6-2 demolition.
Well, replicating that might be extremely difficult, netting six times against those opponents. I'd settle for a scrappy single-goal triumph if we could get it. Certain supporters approach and inform me: 'That was a fantastic encounter', despite not being born at the time. They inform me their ancestors and parents spoke about it regularly. It evolved into a decisive encounter for our club, not merely in that term, but probably for continuing on.
The tension for nearly 72 hours prior to the match, and then should you secure success, tremendous relief. And I feel that's precisely the great Walter Smith frequently stated similarly, that relief outweighed other emotions. However these were magnificent contests really. It's still a fantastic fixture.
This represents an important match for us. Honestly, don't conceal that fact. It's a semi-final encounter, it's a big match for our side. Each encounter between these rivals constitutes a significant occasion, however specifically because of the situation of recent times, if not weeks, absolutely.
Two new managers on the sidelines this afternoon but there's a big gap in Old Firm experience among them. Danny Röhl is experiencing his first as the Rangers boss while Martin O'Neill is about to take charge of his 28th.
Today's result could have a major impact on the duration O'Neill's return as stand-in Celtic coach persists, as Ewan Murray has been pondering.
The club might spend substantial compensation to persuade Kieran McKenna from Ipswich Town. They may attempt an even bigger gamble on Robbie Keane. The reigning champions could decide to provide Nicky Hayen from Club Brugge an initial experience in British football. These constitute chances in different manners. More than O'Neill? This is arguable.
Celtic (4-3-3): Schmeichel; Ralston, Trusty, Scales, Sarrachi; McGregor, Engels, Nygren; Maeda, Kenny, Tounekti.
Subs: Sinisalo, Balikwisha, Yang, Osmand, McCowan, Hatate, Murray, Forrest, Tierney.
Marcelo Sarrachi starts ahead of Kieran Tierney on the left defensive flank. James Forrest also drops out from the starting lineup that overcame Falkirk in their recent match.
Rangers FC (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 receives preference ahead of Max Aarons in the right flank position, including Mohamed Diomande for the suspended Connor Barron in central areas and Thelo Aasgaard chosen instead of Mikey Moore in forward roles.
Good afternoon and welcome to this derby match. It should be improved {than last time|compared to the previous meeting|versus
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