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The squads take the field into the noise, Hampden divided in two into blue and green. For the opportunity to meet St Mirren in this stadium this December … here we go.

Other Football

Additional games: John Brewin offers real-time commentary for the West Ham-Newcastle clash in the EPL; Yara El-Shaboury delivers fresh updates from the day's opening matches in the Women's Super League.

As for us, we're only five minutes away before the game begins at Hampden Park!

Officiating Team

Nick Walsh is the man in the middle this match. He also refereed the 2024 Scottish Cup final involving Celtic and Rangers plus a European fixture last season when he distributed four dismissals and 12 yellows. Don't cross him.

Coaching Perspectives

The Rangers manager: Despite this being his debut in this fixture, the fresh-faced gaffer has stated clearly recently that he's accustomed to being involved in other major rivalries in his coaching career, at Bayern Munich plus his stint at Wednesday.

I can remember during Hansi Flick's appointment, our following match was versus Dortmund at home. We won 4-0. It always provides a lift when you triumph in such matches. Furthermore, in the EFL Championship in the Steel derby, I was involved in that as well. I recognize the importance to the supporters. This represents more than a simple match.

The German manager has been complimenting Martin O'Neill's lengthy tenure at 73.

I feel a big respect for that type of coaching legacy. I think it is always great in this profession when you sustain your career over decades in this business and accomplish your objectives.

I'm only starting out my coaching path. I have a lot of work to do to reach that level though the encouraging factor we commence evenly matched, distinct coaching generations and we'll observe what we can bring via our selections in this encounter.

I'm incredibly enthusiastic. I have had some experience but I expect a big, big one during Sunday's match. To be involved in this fixture, everything is at stake. Victory means reaching the final, a loss ends your participation. I believe all factors align for an outstanding match.

Opposition Manager

Martin O'Neill: The temporary Celtic boss has been reflecting this week regarding his initial encounter with Rangers a quarter-century ago, the 6-2 'Demolition Derby'.

Now, repeating that performance may prove quite arduous, putting six past them versus that team. I'd settle for an unattractive 1-0 win if we managed to secure it. Some lads come up and say to me: 'That was an amazing match', despite not being born at the time. They tell me their ancestors and parents discussed it frequently. It transformed into a crucial game for us, 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 used to say about it as well, that comfort surpassed other feelings. However these were magnificent contests genuinely. It's still a fantastic fixture.

This constitutes a significant fixture for us. Truthfully, don't hide that reality. It's a semi-final, it's a big match for our side. Each encounter between these rivals is a big game, however specifically because of the circumstances of recent times, if not weeks, certainly.

Dugout History

Two fresh managers leading their teams today but there's a big gap in Old Firm experience between them. Danny Röhl is experiencing his first as the Rangers boss while Martin O'Neill gets ready to manage of his 28th.

The outcome today might significantly influence regarding the tenure O'Neill's second spell as stand-in Celtic coach persists, as Ewan Murray has considered.

The club might spend five million pounds in compensation to lure Kieran McKenna away from Ipswich. They could take a more significant chance on Robbie Keane. The title holders might choose to offer Nicky Hayen from Club Brugge a debut opportunity of British football. These are all gambles in different manners. Beyond O'Neill? This remains questionable.

First XIs

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 begins ahead of Kieran Tierney in the left-back position. James Forrest also drops out from the first team that defeated 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 is selected over Max Aarons on the right, including Mohamed Diomande taking Connor Barron's suspended place in central areas and Thelo Aasgaard preferred over Mikey Moore in attack.

Match Preview

Greetings and welcome to this Old Firm clash. It's got to be better {than last time|compared to the previous meeting|versus