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Match Coverage

The players head out into the noise, Hampden split down the middle with blue and green sections. To earn the chance to play St Mirren here this December … the action begins.

Other Matches

Other football: John Brewin provides live updates for West Ham vs 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, approximately five minutes remain before the start at Hampden!

Referee Information

Nick Walsh takes charge today. He was also the referee for the 2024 cup final featuring these two rivals plus a European fixture last season when he distributed four red cards and 12 yellows. Avoid challenging him.

Coaching Perspectives

Danny Röhl: Despite this being his debut in this fixture, the new Rangers manager has stated clearly this week that he's used to taking part in other significant derbies as a coach, at Bayern Munich plus his stint at Wednesday.

I recall when Hansi Flick took over, our subsequent fixture was versus Dortmund at home. We secured a 4-0 victory. It consistently offers motivation following success in these encounters. As well, in the Championship in the Sheffield derby, I participated there too. I understand the significance to the supporters. This is more than just a game.

The young coach has been complimenting 73-year-old Martin O'Neill's longevity.

I have tremendous respect for such a coaching career. I consider it consistently remarkable for a coach when you sustain your career over decades in this business and accomplish your objectives.

I'm only starting out my professional journey. There's much work remaining to come to this point but the good thing is we begin level, different generations and we'll observe what we can contribute with our teams in this fixture.

I'm incredibly enthusiastic. I've accumulated certain experiences though I anticipate an enormous event on Sunday. To be part of such a game, the stakes are extremely high. Success secures a final place, you lose, you're out. I believe all factors align for an outstanding match.

Opposition Manager

The Celtic manager: The temporary Celtic boss has been reflecting this week regarding his initial encounter versus their rivals a quarter-century ago, the 6-2 'Demolition Derby'.

Now, repeating that performance could be very challenging, netting six times versus that team. I would accept a scrappy single-goal triumph if we could get it. Some lads come up and inform me: 'That was a great game', despite not being born at the time. They tell me their family members spoke about it regularly. It became a really pivotal match for us, not merely in that term, but likely for future progress.

The nervousness for about 72 hours before, and then should you secure success, tremendous relief. And I believe that's exactly the renowned Walter Smith frequently stated similarly, that comfort surpassed other feelings. However these were magnificent contests genuinely. It remains a wonderful encounter.

This constitutes a significant fixture for us. Honestly, don't conceal that fact. It's a semi-final encounter, it's a crucial contest for us. Each encounter between these rivals represents a major event, but particularly given the situation of the past few days, possibly even months, definitely.

Dugout History

Two different coaches in the dugouts today yet there's a substantial disparity in derby experience between them. Danny Röhl faces his debut as Rangers manager while Martin O'Neill is about to take charge his twenty-eighth.

The outcome today may substantially affect on the duration O'Neill's second spell as stand-in Celtic coach persists, as Ewan Murray has considered.

They could potentially invest £5m in compensation to persuade Kieran McKenna away from Ipswich. They could take a more significant chance involving Robbie Keane. The Scottish champions could decide to provide Nicky Hayen from Club Brugge an initial experience in British football. These are all gambles 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.

Substitutes: Sinisalo, Balikwisha, Yang, Osmand, McCowan, Hatate, Murray, Forrest, Tierney.

Marcelo Sarrachi features preferred to Kieran Tierney on the left defensive flank. 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.

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

James Tavernier is selected ahead of Max Aarons on the right side, featuring Mohamed Diomande replacing the banned Connor Barron in the middle with Thelo Aasgaard favored over Mikey Moore in offensive positions.

Opening Context

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