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The squads take the field to a thunderous reception, Hampden divided in two into blue and green. To earn the chance to play St Mirren FC here in December … here we go.

Other Football

Additional games: John Brewin provides live updates for the West Ham-Newcastle clash in England's top flight; Yara El-Shaboury delivers fresh updates from the early kick-offs in the WSL.

As for us, there's just over five minutes before the start at Hampden!

Match Officials

Nick Walsh takes charge this match. He previously officiated the 2024 cup final between Celtic and Rangers plus a European fixture the previous campaign when he distributed four red cards and 12 yellows. Avoid challenging him.

Coaching Perspectives

Danny Röhl: Although this marks his initial Old Firm, the new Rangers manager has stated clearly recently that he's familiar with taking part in other major rivalries as a coach, at Bayern Munich and with Sheffield Wednesday.

I recollect when Hansi Flick took over, our following match was versus Dortmund at home. We won 4-0. It consistently offers motivation when you triumph in such matches. Additionally, in the Championship in the Sheffield derby, I was also part [of it] there. I know what it means to the supporters. 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 managerial journey. I believe it's always impressive as a manager when you sustain your career over decades in this business and accomplish your objectives.

I am just at the beginning my coaching path. There's much work remaining to reach that level though the encouraging factor we commence evenly matched, different generations and we'll observe what we can contribute with our teams in this game.

I'm tremendously excited. I've gained some experience yet I foresee a massive occasion during Sunday's match. 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 magnificent contest.

Rival Coach

The Celtic manager: The stand-in manager has this week been reminiscing about his first meeting with Rangers 25 years ago, the famous 6-2 demolition.

Certainly, matching that achievement may prove quite arduous, putting six past them against those opponents. I'd settle for an unattractive 1-0 win if we managed to secure it. Certain supporters approach and say to me: 'That was a great game', despite not being born at the time. They tell me their grandfathers and fathers were talking about it. It transformed into a crucial game for us, not merely in that term, but probably for continuing on.

The anxiety for approximately three days prior to the match, and then if you got the result, tremendous relief. And I believe that's exactly the renowned Walter Smith used to say about it as well, that relief outweighed other emotions. But they were fantastic fixtures genuinely. It continues to be a superb rivalry.

This constitutes a significant fixture for us. Really, don't disguise that at all. It's a semi-final, it's an important game for us. Each encounter between these rivals is a big game, though especially considering the conditions of the recent days, possibly even months, absolutely.

Coaching Background

Two fresh managers leading their teams today though there's a significant difference in derby experience separating them. Danny Röhl encounters his inaugural leading Rangers whereas Martin O'Neill prepares to oversee his twenty-eighth.

Today's result might significantly influence on the duration O'Neill's return as (interim, for now) Celtic boss continues, as Ewan Murray has reflected.

Celtic could pay £5m in compensation to lure Kieran McKenna away from Ipswich. They may attempt a more significant chance with Robbie Keane. The reigning champions might choose to offer Club Brugge's Nicky Hayen an initial experience in British football. These are all gambles to varying degrees. Even more than O'Neill? This remains questionable.

Team Selections

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 preferred to Kieran Tierney at left-back. James Forrest also drops out from the first team that overcame Falkirk in midweek.

Rangers (3-4-3): Butland; Djiga, Souttar, Cornelius; Tavernier, Diomande, Raskin, Meghoma; Aasgaard, Chermiti, Danilo.

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

James Tavernier gets the nod ahead of Max Aarons on the right, with Mohamed Diomande coming in replacing the banned Connor Barron in central areas and Thelo Aasgaard preferred to Mikey Moore in offensive positions.

Match Preview

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