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The squads take the field into the noise, Hampden Park split down the middle with blue and green sections. For the opportunity to play St Mirren at this venue this December … it all kicks off.

Other Matches

More matches: John Brewin is on our minute-by-minute coverage for the West Ham-Newcastle clash in the Premier League; 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 the national stadium!

Officiating Team

Nick Walsh takes charge this afternoon. He also refereed the 2024 Scottish Cup final between Celtic and Rangers plus a European fixture last season where he showed four dismissals and 12 yellows. Avoid challenging him.

Manager Insights

Danny Röhl: While this is his first Old Firm, the recently appointed boss has emphasized recently that he's used to taking part in other important local clashes during his managerial journey, with Bayern Munich and Sheffield Wednesday.

I recall during Hansi Flick's appointment, our following match was versus Dortmund at home. We triumphed 4-0. It is always a booster when you triumph in such matches. Additionally, in the Championship during the Steel City derby, I was involved in that as well. I know what it means for the fans. This is more than just a game.

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

I feel a big respect for such a coaching career. I consider it consistently remarkable in this profession when you sustain your career over decades in this business and accomplish your objectives.

I'm merely commencing of my career. I have a lot of work to do to achieve similar status but the good thing is we commence evenly matched, distinct coaching generations and we'll discover what we can bring through our squads in this game.

I'm tremendously excited. I've accumulated certain experiences though I anticipate a massive occasion this Sunday. To be part of such a game, everything is at stake. Success secures a final place, a loss ends your participation. I feel all elements converge for a magnificent contest.

Rival Coach

The experienced boss: The stand-in manager has recently been recalling concerning his debut match with Rangers a quarter-century ago, the famous 6-2 demolition.

Now, repeating that performance might be extremely difficult, scoring six goals against that side. I would accept a really lousy 1-0 victory if we managed to secure it. Some lads come up and say to me: 'That was an amazing match', though they weren't alive then. They tell me their family members spoke about it regularly. It evolved into a decisive encounter for our club, not just that season, but possibly for sustained development.

The tension for nearly 72 hours prior to the match, and then if you got the result, significant comfort. And I feel that's precisely the renowned Walter Smith frequently stated similarly, that relief outweighed other emotions. Yet these represented superb matches really. It remains a wonderful encounter.

This constitutes a significant fixture for our team. Truthfully, don't hide that reality. It's a semi-final, it's a crucial contest for our side. Every Old Firm match represents a major event, though especially considering the circumstances of the recent days, if not recent weeks, certainly.

Coaching Background

Two new managers in the dugouts today yet there's a substantial disparity in Old Firm experience among them. Danny Röhl is experiencing his first leading Rangers while Martin O'Neill gets ready to manage his 28th such match.

Today's result might significantly influence on how long O'Neill's comeback as stand-in Celtic coach lasts, as Ewan Murray has reflected.

The club might spend five million pounds in compensation to lure Kieran McKenna from Ipswich. They may attempt a larger risk with Robbie Keane. The Scottish champions could decide to provide Club Brugge's Nicky Hayen a debut opportunity within British soccer. These are all gambles in different manners. More than O'Neill? This is debatable.

First XIs

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 features instead of Kieran Tierney on the left defensive flank. James Forrest is also omitted 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.

Subs: Kelly, Aarons, Fernández, Rothwell, Antman, Moore, Gassama, Curtis, Miovski.

James Tavernier receives preference ahead of Max Aarons in the right flank position, featuring Mohamed Diomande taking Connor Barron's suspended place in central areas with Thelo Aasgaard favored instead of Mikey Moore in attack.

Opening Context

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