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The players head out amid the roar, Hampden Park divided in two with blue and green sections. To earn the chance to play St Mirren FC in this stadium this December … the action begins.

Other Matches

Additional games: John Brewin provides live updates for West Ham v Newcastle in the Premier League; Yara El-Shaboury brings the newest developments from the initial games in the WSL.

Regarding our coverage, we're only five minutes away before the start at Hampden Park!

Officiating Team

Nick Walsh takes charge this match. He also refereed the 2024 Scottish Cup final featuring these two rivals and a Europa League match last season when he distributed four dismissals and 12 yellows. Don't cross him.

Coaching Perspectives

The German coach: While this is his first Old Firm, the fresh-faced gaffer has stated clearly this week that he's accustomed to being involved in other major rivalries during his managerial journey, at Bayern Munich plus his stint at Wednesday.

I recall when Hansi Flick assumed control, our following match was versus Dortmund at home. We triumphed 4-0. It is always a booster if you win such a game. Additionally, in the Championship in the Sheffield derby, I was involved in that as well. I recognize the importance for the fans. This represents more than a simple match.

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

I have tremendous respect for such a coaching career. I believe it's always impressive in this profession when you work so long in this business and achieve success.

I'm merely commencing my professional journey. I have substantial work ahead to achieve similar status but the good thing is we begin level, different generations and we'll observe what we can demonstrate through our squads in this game.

I'm incredibly enthusiastic. I have had some experience though I anticipate an enormous event this Sunday. To be part of such a game, the stakes are extremely high. Victory means reaching the final, defeat means elimination. I believe all factors align for an outstanding match.

Rival Coach

The experienced boss: The Celtic interim manager has been reflecting this week concerning his debut match with Rangers two and a half decades past, the famous 6-2 demolition.

Certainly, matching that achievement could be very challenging, netting six times against that side. I would accept a really lousy 1-0 victory should we achieve it. Some lads come up and inform 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 anxiety for approximately three days before, and then should you secure success, tremendous relief. And I believe that's exactly the great Walter Smith used to say about it as well, that it was relief more than anything else. But they were fantastic fixtures truly. It's still a fantastic fixture.

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. Any Celtic-Rangers game represents a major event, though especially considering the conditions of the past few days, if not weeks, certainly.

Managerial Experience

Two different coaches leading their teams today though there's a significant difference in rivalry knowledge separating them. Danny Röhl encounters his inaugural as the Rangers boss while Martin O'Neill gets ready to manage of his 28th.

The outcome today may substantially affect on the duration O'Neill's return as temporary Celtic manager persists, as Ewan Murray has reflected.

Celtic could pay five million pounds in compensation to coax Kieran McKenna from Ipswich. They could take a more significant chance with Robbie Keane. The title holders may opt to give Club Brugge's Nicky Hayen a first taste within British soccer. These constitute chances in their own way. Beyond O'Neill? This is debatable.

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 starts preferred to Kieran Tierney in the left-back position. James Forrest is additionally excluded of the XI that beat Falkirk in their recent match.

Rangers (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 is selected over Max Aarons on the right, featuring Mohamed Diomande taking Connor Barron's suspended place in central areas and Thelo Aasgaard preferred to Mikey Moore in attack.

Preamble

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