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The teams emerge to a thunderous reception, Hampden Park divided in two with blue and green sections. For the right to face St Mirren in this stadium this December … the action begins.

Other Football

Additional games: John Brewin is on our minute-by-minute coverage for West Ham vs Newcastle in the EPL; Yara El-Shaboury delivers fresh updates from the early kick-offs in the WSL.

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

Officiating Team

Nick Walsh will referee this match. He was also the referee for the 2024 cup final involving Celtic and Rangers and a Europa League match the previous campaign during which he issued four dismissals and twelve cautions. Steer clear of confrontation.

Manager Insights

Danny Röhl: Despite this being his debut in this fixture, the new Rangers manager has made it clear recently that he's used to taking part in other major rivalries as a coach, during his time at Bayern and with Sheffield Wednesday.

I can remember when Hansi Flick assumed control, our following match was at home against Dortmund. We secured a 4-0 victory. It always provides a lift when you triumph in such matches. Additionally, in the EFL Championship in the Steel derby, I was also part [of it] there. I recognize the importance to the supporters. This is more than just a game.

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

I hold great admiration for that type of coaching legacy. I consider it consistently remarkable as a manager when you remain active for so many years in this industry and achieve success.

I'm only starting out my professional journey. I have a lot of work to do to reach that level but the good thing is we begin level, separate eras and let's see what we can demonstrate with our teams in this fixture.

I'm incredibly enthusiastic. I've accumulated certain experiences though I anticipate a massive occasion on Sunday. To be involved in this fixture, it's all or nothing. You win, you go into the final, defeat means elimination. I believe all factors align for an outstanding match.

Opposition Manager

The experienced boss: The stand-in manager has been reflecting this week regarding his initial encounter versus their rivals two and a half decades past, the 6-2 'Demolition Derby'.

Well, replicating that might be extremely difficult, scoring six goals versus that team. I would accept a really lousy 1-0 victory should we achieve it. Certain supporters approach and inform me: 'That was an amazing match', despite not being born at the time. They inform me their family members spoke about it regularly. It transformed into a crucial game for our team, not merely in that term, but probably for continuing on.

The tension for nearly 72 hours before, and then if you got the result, tremendous relief. 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. However these were magnificent contests genuinely. It's still a fantastic fixture.

This is a big game for our club. Really, don't disguise that at all. It's a semi-final, it's an important game for us. Every Old Firm match constitutes a significant occasion, however specifically because of the situation of the recent days, if not recent weeks, absolutely.

Coaching Background

Two fresh managers in the dugouts today yet there's a substantial disparity in rivalry knowledge between them. Danny Röhl faces his debut as the Rangers boss while Martin O'Neill gets ready to manage his twenty-eighth.

This match's conclusion might significantly influence on the duration O'Neill's comeback as stand-in Celtic coach lasts, as Ewan Murray has considered.

The club might spend substantial compensation to coax Kieran McKenna from Ipswich. They might consider an even bigger gamble on Robbie Keane. The title holders may opt to give Club Brugge manager Nicky Hayen a first taste of British football. These constitute chances in their own way. More than O'Neill? This remains questionable.

Starting Lineups

Celtic (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 preferred to Kieran Tierney in the left-back position. James Forrest is additionally excluded from the first team that beat 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, including Mohamed Diomande replacing the banned Connor Barron in midfield with Thelo Aasgaard favored instead of Mikey Moore in attack.

Preamble

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