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The players head out into the noise, Hampden divided in two between blue and green. For the right to play St Mirren in this stadium in December … here we go.

Additional Fixtures

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

As for us, we're only five minutes away until kick-off at Hampden Park!

Referee Information

Nick Walsh is the man in the middle this match. He also refereed the 2024 cup final involving Celtic and Rangers and a continental game in the last term when he distributed four dismissals and twelve cautions. Avoid challenging him.

Coaching Perspectives

The Rangers manager: Although this marks his initial Old Firm, the new Rangers manager has stated clearly this week that he's familiar with participating in other important local clashes during his managerial journey, at Bayern Munich plus his stint at Wednesday.

I recall when Hansi Flick took over, our following match took place against Dortmund at our stadium. We won 4-0. It consistently offers motivation if you win such a game. As well, in England's second tier in the Sheffield derby, I was involved in that as well. I know what it means to the supporters. This represents more than a simple match.

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

I feel a big respect for that type of coaching legacy. I believe it's always impressive for a coach when you sustain your career over decades in this business and achieve success.

I'm only starting out my coaching path. I have substantial work ahead to achieve similar status though the encouraging factor we start at 0-0, separate eras and we'll observe what we can bring through our squads in this fixture.

I'm incredibly enthusiastic. I've accumulated certain experiences though I anticipate a big, big one on Sunday. To participate in such a match, it's all or nothing. Success secures a final place, defeat means elimination. I think everything is on for an outstanding match.

Counterpart Perspective

The Celtic manager: The Celtic interim manager has been reflecting this week about his first meeting versus their rivals a quarter-century ago, the famous 6-2 demolition.

Well, replicating that may prove quite arduous, netting six times versus that team. I would take an unattractive 1-0 win should we achieve it. Various individuals tell me and inform me: 'That was an amazing match', and they weren't even born. They inform me their ancestors and parents discussed it frequently. It became a really pivotal match for our team, not only during that campaign, but probably for continuing on.

The nervousness for about 72 hours prior to the match, and then should you secure success, tremendous relief. And I think that's what the renowned Walter Smith often mentioned too, that it was relief more than anything else. But they were fantastic fixtures really. It's still a fantastic fixture.

This constitutes a significant fixture for our club. Really, don't disguise that at all. It's a semi-final encounter, it's a crucial contest for our squad. Each encounter between these rivals is a big game, however specifically because of the situation of the past few days, if not weeks, definitely.

Dugout History

Two fresh managers leading their teams today yet there's a substantial disparity in derby experience among them. Danny Röhl is experiencing his first as Rangers manager while Martin O'Neill gets ready to manage his twenty-eighth.

Today's result could have a major impact on the duration O'Neill's comeback as (interim, for now) Celtic boss continues, as Ewan Murray has been pondering.

They could potentially invest five million pounds in compensation to persuade Kieran McKenna from Ipswich Town. They could take a larger risk involving Robbie Keane. The reigning champions could decide to provide Club Brugge manager Nicky Hayen a debut opportunity within British soccer. These constitute chances to varying degrees. Even more than O'Neill? This is arguable.

Team Selections

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 on the left defensive flank. James Forrest also drops out from the first team that defeated Falkirk in their recent match.

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 gets the nod over Max Aarons on the right, including Mohamed Diomande taking Connor Barron's suspended place in midfield with Thelo Aasgaard favored to Mikey Moore in forward roles.

Match Preview

Good afternoon and welcome to this derby match. It ought to be superior {than last time|compared to the previous meeting|versus