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The squads take the field to a thunderous reception, Hampden split down the middle with blue and green sections. For the right to play St Mirren FC in this stadium in December … it all kicks off.

Other Matches

Additional games: John Brewin is on our minute-by-minute coverage for West Ham v Newcastle in the Premier League; Yara El-Shaboury delivers fresh updates from the day's opening matches in the Women's Super League.

Regarding our coverage, we're only five minutes away until kick-off at Hampden!

Referee Information

Nick Walsh is the man in the middle this afternoon. He previously officiated the 2024 cup final between Celtic and Rangers and a Europa League match in the last term during which he issued four sending-offs and 12 yellows. Steer clear of confrontation.

Coaching Perspectives

The German coach: While this is his first Old Firm, the new Rangers manager has emphasized this week that he's accustomed to participating in other significant derbies as a coach, at Bayern Munich and with Sheffield Wednesday.

I can remember when Hansi Flick took over, our following match was versus Dortmund at home. We won 4-0. It consistently offers motivation following success in these encounters. Additionally, in the Championship in the Steel derby, I was involved in that as well. I understand the significance to the supporters. This transcends ordinary football.

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

I feel a big respect for such a managerial journey. I believe it's always impressive for a coach when you work so long in this field and achieve success.

I'm only starting out of my career. There's much work remaining to come to this point but the good thing is we start at 0-0, separate eras and we'll discover what we can contribute with our teams in this game.

I'm incredibly enthusiastic. I have had some experience but I expect an enormous event on Sunday. To be part of such a game, everything is at stake. Victory means reaching the final, defeat means elimination. I think everything is on for a great, great game.

Opposition Manager

The experienced boss: The stand-in manager has been reflecting this week regarding his initial encounter against Rangers 25 years ago, the famous 6-2 demolition.

Now, repeating that performance may prove quite arduous, scoring six goals against those opponents. I would accept a really lousy 1-0 victory should we achieve it. Some lads come up and inform me: 'That was a fantastic encounter', and they weren't even born. They inform me their family members were talking about it. It evolved into a decisive encounter for us, not just that season, but possibly for sustained development.

The tension for nearly 72 hours before, and then should you secure success, significant comfort. And I feel that's precisely the renowned Walter Smith frequently stated similarly, that comfort surpassed other feelings. However these were magnificent contests truly. It remains a wonderful encounter.

This is a big game for our team. Truthfully, don't hide that reality. It's a semi-final encounter, it's a crucial contest for our squad. Any Celtic-Rangers game represents a major event, though especially considering the circumstances of the past few days, possibly even months, definitely.

Coaching Background

Two new managers in the dugouts today though there's a significant difference in Old Firm experience separating them. Danny Röhl faces his debut as the Rangers boss while Martin O'Neill is about to take charge of his 28th.

This match's conclusion could have a major impact regarding the tenure O'Neill's return as stand-in Celtic coach persists, as Ewan Murray has been pondering.

Celtic could pay £5m in compensation to persuade Kieran McKenna from Ipswich. They might consider a more significant chance on Robbie Keane. The reigning champions may opt to give Club Brugge's Nicky Hayen an initial experience of British football. These represent risks to varying degrees. Even more than O'Neill? This is arguable.

Starting Lineups

Celtic FC (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 begins ahead of Kieran Tierney at left-back. James Forrest is also omitted from the starting lineup that defeated Falkirk during the week.

Rangers (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 over Max Aarons on the right, including Mohamed Diomande taking Connor Barron's suspended place in central areas and Thelo Aasgaard preferred instead of Mikey Moore in forward roles.

Preamble

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