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The teams emerge to a thunderous reception, Hampden separated evenly into blue and green. To earn the chance to face St Mirren at this venue this December … it all kicks off.

Additional Fixtures

More matches: John Brewin is on our minute-by-minute coverage for West Ham v Newcastle in England's top flight; Yara El-Shaboury has all the latest from the early kick-offs in the WSL.

Turning to this match, approximately five minutes remain before the game begins at Hampden Park!

Referee Information

Nick Walsh takes charge this match. He was also the referee for the 2024 cup final between Celtic and Rangers and a continental game last season when he distributed four dismissals and twelve cautions. Avoid challenging him.

Coaching Perspectives

The Rangers manager: Despite this being his debut in this fixture, the fresh-faced gaffer has stated clearly this week that he's used to participating in other important local clashes as a coach, at Bayern Munich plus his stint at Wednesday.

I recall during Hansi Flick's appointment, our second game took place against Dortmund at our stadium. We won 4-0. It consistently offers motivation if you win such a game. As well, in the EFL Championship in the Steel derby, I was involved in that as well. I understand the significance among the followers. This is more than just a game.

The 36-year-old German has been complimenting the enduring career of 73-year-old Martin O'Neill.

I feel a big respect for such a coaching career. I think it is always great in this profession when you sustain your career over decades in this industry and accomplish your objectives.

I'm merely commencing my coaching path. I have substantial work ahead to come to this point though the encouraging factor we commence evenly matched, distinct coaching generations and let's see what we can contribute with our teams in this fixture.

I'm tremendously excited. I've accumulated certain experiences though I anticipate an enormous event on Sunday. To be involved in this fixture, everything is at stake. Victory means reaching the final, you lose, you're out. I think everything is on for a great, great game.

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'.

Well, replicating that could be very challenging, scoring six goals against those opponents. I would accept an unattractive 1-0 win should we achieve it. Various individuals tell me and inform me: 'That was a great game', despite not being born at the time. They inform me their ancestors and parents spoke about it regularly. It transformed into a crucial game for our club, not merely in that term, but probably for continuing on.

The tension for nearly 72 hours beforehand, and subsequently if you achieved victory, significant comfort. And I think that's what the legendary Walter Smith used to say about it as well, that it was relief more than anything else. But they were fantastic fixtures truly. It continues to be a superb rivalry.

This is a big game for our club. Honestly, don't conceal that fact. It's a semi-final, it's a crucial contest for us. Any Celtic-Rangers game represents a major event, though especially considering the conditions of the recent days, if not recent weeks, certainly.

Dugout History

Two new managers leading their teams today but there's a big gap in rivalry knowledge separating them. Danny Röhl is experiencing his first leading Rangers while Martin O'Neill gets ready to manage his twenty-eighth.

This match's conclusion may substantially affect regarding the tenure 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 more significant chance on Robbie Keane. The reigning champions may opt to give Club Brugge's Nicky Hayen a debut opportunity in British football. These constitute chances to varying degrees. Even 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 also omitted from the first team that beat 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 instead of Max Aarons on the right, featuring Mohamed Diomande for the suspended Connor Barron in the middle and Thelo Aasgaard preferred over Mikey Moore in forward roles.

Preamble

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