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Match Coverage

The teams emerge into the noise, Hampden divided in two with blue and green sections. For the right to face St Mirren FC in this stadium in December … it all kicks off.

Other Matches

More matches: John Brewin is on our minute-by-minute coverage for West Ham v Newcastle in England's top flight; Yara El-Shaboury has all the latest from the early kick-offs in the women's top division.

Turning to this match, we're only five minutes away before the start at Hampden Park!

Referee Information

Nick Walsh will referee this afternoon. He previously officiated the 2024 cup final between Celtic and Rangers plus a European fixture in the last term during which he issued four sending-offs and 12 yellows. Steer clear of confrontation.

Coaching Perspectives

The German coach: Although this marks his initial Old Firm, the fresh-faced gaffer has emphasized in recent days that he's accustomed to being involved in other significant derbies during his managerial journey, at Bayern Munich plus his stint at Wednesday.

I can remember when Hansi Flick took over, our second game was versus Dortmund at home. We secured a 4-0 victory. It always provides a lift following success in these encounters. Furthermore, in the Championship during the Steel City derby, I participated there too. I understand the significance to the supporters. This is more than just a game.

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

I feel a big respect for such a coaching career. I believe it's always impressive in this profession when you work so long in this industry and you are successful.

I'm merely commencing my professional journey. I have substantial work ahead to come to this point but the good thing is we start at 0-0, different generations and we'll observe what we can demonstrate with our teams in this encounter.

I'm tremendously excited. I've accumulated certain experiences yet I foresee an enormous event on Sunday. To be part of such a game, it's all or nothing. Victory means reaching the final, defeat means elimination. I feel all elements converge for a great, great game.

Rival Coach

The experienced boss: The stand-in manager has recently been recalling regarding his initial encounter versus their rivals 25 years ago, the famous 6-2 demolition.

Certainly, matching that achievement could be very challenging, netting six times against those opponents. I would accept an unattractive 1-0 win if we could get it. Various individuals tell me and mention to me: 'That was an amazing match', and they weren't even born. They tell me their ancestors and parents were talking about it. It transformed into a crucial game for us, not only during that campaign, but possibly for sustained development.

The tension for nearly 72 hours prior to the match, and subsequently if you achieved victory, tremendous relief. And I believe that's exactly the legendary Walter Smith often mentioned too, that relief outweighed other emotions. However these were magnificent contests genuinely. It remains a wonderful encounter.

This represents an important match for our team. Really, don't disguise that at all. It's a semi-final, it's a crucial contest for us. Every Old Firm match is a big game, though especially considering the situation of the past few days, if not recent weeks, absolutely.

Dugout History

Two fresh managers leading their teams today yet there's a substantial disparity in derby experience separating them. Danny Röhl faces his debut as the Rangers boss whereas Martin O'Neill prepares to oversee his twenty-eighth.

This match's conclusion could have a major impact on how long O'Neill's second spell as (interim, for now) Celtic boss lasts, as Ewan Murray has been pondering.

Celtic could pay £5m in compensation to coax Kieran McKenna away from Ipswich. They could take a larger risk on Robbie Keane. The Scottish champions may opt to give Club Brugge manager Nicky Hayen a debut opportunity in British football. These are all gambles in different manners. More than O'Neill? This is arguable.

Team Selections

Celtic (4-3-3): Schmeichel; Ralston, Trusty, Scales, Sarrachi; McGregor, Engels, Nygren; Maeda, Kenny, Tounekti.

Substitutes: Sinisalo, Balikwisha, Yang, Osmand, McCowan, Hatate, Murray, Forrest, Tierney.

Marcelo Sarrachi features preferred to Kieran Tierney on the left defensive flank. James Forrest is also omitted from the first team that defeated Falkirk in midweek.

Rangers FC (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 receives preference ahead of Max Aarons on the right, with Mohamed Diomande coming in taking Connor Barron's suspended place in midfield with Thelo Aasgaard favored to Mikey Moore in attack.

Preamble

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