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Match Coverage

The teams emerge into the noise, Hampden divided in two into blue and green. To earn the chance to meet St Mirren FC at this venue in December … it all kicks off.

Other Football

Other football: John Brewin is on our minute-by-minute coverage for West Ham vs Newcastle in England's top flight; Yara El-Shaboury brings the newest developments from the initial games in the Women's Super League.

Turning to this match, approximately five minutes remain until kick-off at Hampden!

Match Officials

Nick Walsh takes charge today. He was also the referee for the 2024 cup final involving Celtic and Rangers and a continental game last season when he distributed four red cards and a dozen bookings. Don't cross him.

Coaching Perspectives

The Rangers manager: Although this marks his initial Old Firm, the recently appointed boss has made it clear recently that he's familiar with taking part in other important local clashes during his managerial journey, at Bayern Munich and Sheffield Wednesday.

I can remember when Hansi Flick took over, our following match took place against Dortmund at our stadium. We triumphed 4-0. It always provides a lift if you win such a game. As well, in England's second tier in the Sheffield derby, I participated there too. I know what it means for the fans. This transcends ordinary football.

The young coach has been praising Martin O'Neill's lengthy tenure at 73.

I hold great admiration for such a coaching career. I believe it's always impressive in this profession when you work so long in this business and you are successful.

I'm merely commencing my coaching path. There's much work remaining to achieve similar status but the good thing is we begin level, distinct coaching generations and we'll observe what we can contribute via our selections in this encounter.

I'm incredibly enthusiastic. I have had some experience but I expect a big, big one this Sunday. To be part of such a game, the stakes are extremely high. 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 temporary Celtic boss has this week been reminiscing about his first meeting versus their rivals a quarter-century ago, the famous 6-2 demolition.

Now, repeating that performance could be very challenging, netting six times against that side. I would accept an unattractive 1-0 win if we managed to secure it. Certain supporters approach and say to me: 'That was a fantastic encounter', despite not being born at the time. They inform me their family members were talking about it. It became a really pivotal match for us, not just that season, but likely for future progress.

The tension for nearly 72 hours beforehand, and then if you got the result, significant comfort. And I feel that's precisely the legendary Walter Smith used to say about it as well, that it was relief more than anything else. Yet these represented superb matches truly. It continues to be a superb rivalry.

This represents an important match for us. Truthfully, don't hide that reality. It's a last-four clash, it's a big match for us. Every Old Firm match is a big game, but particularly given the conditions of the recent days, possibly even months, absolutely.

Dugout History

Two new managers in the dugouts today yet there's a substantial disparity in derby experience between them. Danny Röhl encounters his inaugural as the Rangers boss while Martin O'Neill gets ready to manage of his 28th.

This match's conclusion may substantially affect on the duration O'Neill's comeback as (interim, for now) Celtic boss lasts, as Ewan Murray has reflected.

Celtic could pay £5m in compensation to coax Kieran McKenna from Ipswich Town. They could take a larger risk involving Robbie Keane. The Scottish champions might choose to offer Club Brugge's Nicky Hayen an initial experience within British soccer. These constitute chances in their own way. More than O'Neill? This is debatable.

Starting Lineups

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 begins ahead of Kieran Tierney at left-back. James Forrest also drops out of the XI 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 side, including Mohamed Diomande replacing the banned Connor Barron in the middle and Thelo Aasgaard preferred to 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