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Match Coverage

The players head out into the noise, Hampden Park separated evenly with blue and green sections. For the right to meet St Mirren in this stadium in December … here we go.

Additional Fixtures

Other football: John Brewin provides live updates for the West Ham-Newcastle clash in the EPL; Yara El-Shaboury has all the latest from the early kick-offs in the women's top division.

Turning to this match, there's just over five minutes before the game begins at the national stadium!

Officiating Team

Nick Walsh will referee this match. He was also the referee for the 2024 Scottish Cup final involving Celtic and Rangers and a continental game in the last term during which he issued four dismissals and a dozen bookings. Don't cross him.

Manager Insights

The Rangers manager: While this is his first Old Firm, the new Rangers manager has stated clearly recently that he's accustomed to participating in other major rivalries in his coaching career, with Bayern Munich and with Sheffield Wednesday.

I can remember during Hansi Flick's appointment, our second game was versus Dortmund at home. We triumphed 4-0. It always provides a lift following success in these encounters. As well, in the Championship in the Steel derby, I participated there too. I recognize the importance for the fans. This transcends ordinary football.

The 36-year-old German 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 in this profession when you remain active for so many years in this industry and accomplish your objectives.

I'm only starting out my coaching path. There's much work remaining to reach that level but the good thing is we start at 0-0, separate eras and let's see what we can contribute through our squads in this encounter.

I am very excited. I've accumulated certain experiences though I anticipate a massive occasion during Sunday's match. To participate in such a match, the stakes are extremely high. Success secures a final place, a loss ends your participation. I think everything is on for an outstanding match.

Counterpart Perspective

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

Now, repeating that performance may prove quite arduous, putting six past them against those opponents. I'd settle for a scrappy single-goal triumph if we could get it. Certain supporters approach and mention to me: 'That was a fantastic encounter', despite not being born at the time. They inform me their ancestors and parents were talking about it. It transformed into a crucial game for our club, not only during that campaign, but possibly for sustained development.

The anxiety for approximately three days beforehand, and then if you got the result, tremendous relief. And I think that's what the great Walter Smith used to say about it as well, that relief outweighed other emotions. However these were magnificent contests really. It remains a wonderful encounter.

This is a big game for us. Really, don't disguise that at all. It's a last-four clash, it's a big match for us. Any Celtic-Rangers game is a big game, though especially considering the conditions of the past few days, if not weeks, certainly.

Managerial Experience

Two fresh managers in the dugouts today but there's a big gap in rivalry knowledge between them. Danny Röhl is experiencing his first as Rangers manager whereas Martin O'Neill prepares to oversee of his 28th.

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

They could potentially invest five million pounds in compensation to persuade Kieran McKenna away from Ipswich. They might consider a larger risk on Robbie Keane. The reigning champions could decide to provide Club Brugge manager Nicky Hayen a first taste of British football. These constitute chances in their own way. Even more than O'Neill? This is debatable.

Team Selections

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 begins instead of Kieran Tierney in the left-back position. James Forrest is additionally excluded from the starting lineup that overcame Falkirk during the week.

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 is selected over Max Aarons on the right side, including Mohamed Diomande replacing the banned Connor Barron in midfield with Thelo Aasgaard favored over Mikey Moore in forward roles.

Opening Context

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