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The squads take the field to a thunderous reception, Hampden Park split down the middle with blue and green sections. For the right to face St Mirren FC here next month … the action begins.

Other Matches

Other football: John Brewin provides live updates for West Ham v Newcastle in the Premier League; Yara El-Shaboury brings the newest developments from the initial games in the Women's Super League.

Regarding our coverage, approximately five minutes remain before the start at the national stadium!

Referee Information

Nick Walsh will referee this afternoon. He previously officiated the 2024 Scottish Cup final involving Celtic and Rangers and a Europa League match in the last term where he showed four red cards and twelve cautions. Steer clear of confrontation.

Dugout Views

The German coach: Despite this being his debut in this fixture, the recently appointed boss has made it clear this week that he's used to being involved in other significant derbies in his coaching career, at Bayern Munich and Sheffield Wednesday.

I recollect during Hansi Flick's appointment, our following match took place against Dortmund at our stadium. We secured a 4-0 victory. It is always a booster when you triumph in such matches. As well, in England's second tier in the Steel derby, I participated there too. I recognize the importance to the supporters. This is more than just a game.

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

I have tremendous respect for that type of coaching legacy. I think it is always great in this profession when you remain active for so many years in this field and you are successful.

I'm only starting out my professional journey. I have substantial work ahead to achieve similar status but the good thing is we commence evenly matched, separate eras and let's see what we can contribute via our selections in this encounter.

I am very excited. I've gained some experience but I expect an enormous event on Sunday. To be part of such a game, it's all or nothing. Success secures a final place, you lose, you're out. I feel all elements converge for a great, great game.

Opposition Manager

The Celtic manager: The temporary Celtic boss has this week been reminiscing about his first meeting versus their rivals a quarter-century ago, the memorable 6-2 victory.

Certainly, matching that achievement could be very challenging, putting six past them versus that team. I'd settle for an unattractive 1-0 win if we could get it. Various individuals tell me and mention to me: 'That was an amazing match', though they weren't alive then. They relate to me their grandfathers and fathers were talking about it. It evolved into a decisive encounter for our team, not just that season, but likely for future progress.

The nervousness for about 72 hours beforehand, and then should you secure success, significant comfort. And I believe that's exactly the legendary Walter Smith frequently stated similarly, that relief outweighed other emotions. Yet these represented superb matches really. It continues to be a superb rivalry.

This represents an important match for us. Really, don't disguise that at all. It's a last-four clash, it's a big match for us. Any Celtic-Rangers game constitutes a significant occasion, however specifically because of the conditions of the past few days, if not recent weeks, certainly.

Dugout History

Two fresh managers in the dugouts today yet there's a substantial disparity in derby experience among them. Danny Röhl is experiencing his first as the Rangers boss while Martin O'Neill is about to take charge his twenty-eighth.

This match's conclusion could have a major impact on how long O'Neill's comeback as stand-in Celtic coach continues, as Ewan Murray has been pondering.

Celtic could pay five million pounds in compensation to coax Kieran McKenna from Ipswich. They could take a larger risk involving Robbie Keane. The reigning champions could decide to provide Club Brugge manager Nicky Hayen a first taste of British football. These are all gambles in different manners. Beyond O'Neill? This is arguable.

Team Selections

Celtic FC (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 ahead of Kieran Tierney on the left defensive flank. James Forrest also drops out from the starting lineup that overcame Falkirk in their recent match.

Rangers FC (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 in the right flank position, including Mohamed Diomande replacing the banned Connor Barron in midfield and Thelo Aasgaard preferred over Mikey Moore in offensive positions.

Opening Context

Hello and welcome to the Old Firm. It should be improved {than last time|compared to the previous meeting|versus