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The teams emerge into the noise, Hampden separated evenly into blue and green. For the opportunity to meet St Mirren in this stadium this December … the action begins.

Other Matches

Other football: John Brewin is on our minute-by-minute coverage for the West Ham-Newcastle clash in the EPL; Yara El-Shaboury delivers fresh updates from the early kick-offs in the women's top division.

As for us, we're only five minutes away until kick-off at Hampden!

Officiating Team

Nick Walsh takes charge today. He previously officiated the 2024 Scottish Cup final involving Celtic and Rangers plus a European fixture last season when he distributed four red cards and twelve cautions. Don't cross him.

Dugout Views

The German coach: Despite this being his debut in this fixture, the fresh-faced gaffer has emphasized this week that he's accustomed to participating in other important local clashes during his managerial journey, at Bayern Munich and with Sheffield Wednesday.

I can remember during Hansi Flick's appointment, our subsequent fixture was at home against Dortmund. We triumphed 4-0. It consistently offers motivation following success in these encounters. Furthermore, in England's second tier during the Steel City derby, I was also part [of it] there. I recognize the importance for the fans. This is more than just a game.

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

I hold great admiration for that type of coaching legacy. I think it is always great for a coach when you sustain your career over decades in this field and you are successful.

I am just at the beginning my coaching path. There's much work remaining to achieve similar status though the encouraging factor we begin level, distinct coaching generations and we'll observe what we can contribute through our squads in this encounter.

I am very excited. I've gained some experience but I expect a big, big one on Sunday. To participate in such a match, the stakes are extremely high. Victory means reaching the final, defeat means elimination. I believe all factors align for a magnificent contest.

Rival Coach

The Celtic manager: The Celtic interim manager has recently been recalling about his first meeting versus their rivals 25 years ago, the 6-2 'Demolition Derby'.

Certainly, matching that achievement might be extremely difficult, netting six times versus that team. I would accept an unattractive 1-0 win if we could get it. Various individuals tell me and say to me: 'That was a great game', despite not being born at the time. They inform me their ancestors and parents were talking about it. It became a really pivotal match for our team, not only during that campaign, but probably for continuing on.

The anxiety for approximately three days beforehand, and subsequently if you achieved victory, significant comfort. And I believe that's exactly the legendary Walter Smith frequently stated similarly, that it was relief more than anything else. But they were fantastic fixtures really. It remains a wonderful encounter.

This is a big game for us. Honestly, don't conceal that fact. It's a semi-final, it's a big match for us. Every Old Firm match constitutes a significant occasion, but particularly given the situation of the past few days, if not recent weeks, absolutely.

Coaching Background

Two different coaches leading their teams today yet there's a substantial disparity in rivalry knowledge between them. Danny Röhl encounters his inaugural leading Rangers while Martin O'Neill is about to take charge his twenty-eighth.

The outcome today may substantially affect regarding the tenure O'Neill's second spell as stand-in Celtic coach lasts, as Ewan Murray has reflected.

Celtic could pay five million pounds in compensation to persuade Kieran McKenna from Ipswich Town. They may attempt a more significant chance on Robbie Keane. The reigning champions could decide to provide Nicky Hayen from Club Brugge a first taste within British soccer. These are all gambles in different manners. Beyond O'Neill? This remains questionable.

First XIs

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 instead of Kieran Tierney in the left-back position. James Forrest also drops out from the first team that overcame 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 gets the nod ahead of Max Aarons on the right side, including Mohamed Diomande for the suspended Connor Barron in midfield with Thelo Aasgaard favored instead of Mikey Moore in attack.

Opening Context

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