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The players head out to a thunderous reception, Hampden divided in two with blue and green sections. For the right to play St Mirren FC in this stadium this December … it all kicks off.

Other Matches

Additional games: John Brewin offers real-time commentary for West Ham vs Newcastle in the Premier League; Yara El-Shaboury has all the latest from the day's opening matches in the WSL.

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

Match Officials

Nick Walsh will referee today. He was also the referee for the 2024 cup final featuring these two rivals and a Europa League match last season where he showed four red cards and 12 yellows. Steer clear of confrontation.

Coaching Perspectives

Danny Röhl: Although this marks his initial Old Firm, the new Rangers manager has stated clearly this week that he's used to being involved in other major rivalries in his coaching career, at Bayern Munich plus his stint at Wednesday.

I can remember when Hansi Flick assumed control, our subsequent fixture took place against Dortmund at our stadium. We won 4-0. It is always a booster when you triumph in such matches. Additionally, in the EFL Championship in the Sheffield derby, I was involved in that as well. I recognize the importance among the followers. This is more than just a game.

The German manager has been complimenting 73-year-old Martin O'Neill's longevity.

I hold great admiration for that type of coaching legacy. I think it is always great as a manager when you remain active for so many years in this field and achieve success.

I'm merely commencing my coaching path. I have a lot of work to do to reach that level however the positive aspect we commence evenly matched, different generations and let's see what we can contribute with our teams in this fixture.

I'm tremendously excited. I've gained some experience yet I foresee a massive occasion this Sunday. To be part of such a game, it's all or nothing. You win, you go into the final, defeat means elimination. I believe all factors align for a great, great game.

Counterpart Perspective

The experienced boss: The Celtic interim manager has recently been recalling regarding his initial encounter with Rangers a quarter-century ago, the memorable 6-2 victory.

Well, replicating that might be extremely difficult, netting six times against that side. I'd settle for an unattractive 1-0 win should we achieve it. Various individuals tell me and inform me: 'That was a great game', though they weren't alive then. They relate to me their ancestors and parents discussed it frequently. It transformed into a crucial game for our club, not just that season, but probably for continuing on.

The nervousness for about 72 hours beforehand, and then should you secure success, significant comfort. And I feel that's precisely the legendary Walter Smith often mentioned too, that it was relief more than anything else. But they were fantastic fixtures really. It's still a fantastic fixture.

This constitutes a significant fixture for our team. Honestly, don't conceal that fact. It's a semi-final, it's a crucial contest for our side. Each encounter between these rivals constitutes a significant occasion, though especially considering the conditions of the recent days, if not recent weeks, definitely.

Dugout History

Two different coaches in the dugouts today though there's a significant difference in Old Firm experience separating them. Danny Röhl encounters his inaugural as the Rangers boss while Martin O'Neill gets ready to manage his twenty-eighth.

The outcome today might significantly influence on how long O'Neill's return as stand-in Celtic coach persists, as Ewan Murray has reflected.

The club might spend substantial compensation to coax Kieran McKenna away from Ipswich. They may attempt a more significant chance on Robbie Keane. The title holders might choose to offer Club Brugge's Nicky Hayen a debut opportunity within British soccer. These represent risks in their own way. Beyond O'Neill? This remains questionable.

Team Selections

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 starts ahead of Kieran Tierney in the left-back position. James Forrest also drops out of the XI that beat Falkirk in midweek.

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 receives preference over Max Aarons on the right side, featuring Mohamed Diomande taking Connor Barron's suspended place in midfield with Thelo Aasgaard favored over Mikey Moore in forward roles.

Preamble

Hello and welcome to this derby match. It's got to be better {than last time|compared to the previous meeting|versus