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Match Coverage

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

Other Football

Other football: John Brewin provides live updates for West Ham vs Newcastle in England's top flight; Yara El-Shaboury delivers fresh updates from the day's opening matches in the women's top division.

Turning to this match, there's just over five minutes before the start at the national stadium!

Officiating Team

Nick Walsh takes charge this afternoon. He previously officiated the 2024 Scottish Cup final involving Celtic and Rangers plus a European fixture last season where he showed four sending-offs and a dozen bookings. Steer clear of confrontation.

Manager Insights

The German coach: Despite this being his debut in this fixture, the recently appointed boss has made it clear in recent days that he's used to participating in other important local clashes during his managerial journey, at Bayern Munich and with Sheffield Wednesday.

I recollect during Hansi Flick's appointment, our second game was versus Dortmund at home. We triumphed 4-0. It is always a booster when you triumph in such matches. Additionally, in the Championship in the Steel derby, I was also part [of it] there. I know what it means among the followers. This represents more than a simple match.

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

I feel a big respect for such a coaching career. I believe it's always impressive as a manager when you sustain your career over decades in this industry and achieve success.

I am just at the beginning my coaching path. There's much work remaining to come to this point however the positive aspect we start at 0-0, different generations and we'll observe what we can contribute via our selections in this encounter.

I am very excited. I've gained some experience yet I foresee a big, big one on Sunday. To be involved in this fixture, the stakes are extremely high. Success secures a final place, defeat means elimination. I think everything is on for a great, great game.

Counterpart Perspective

The experienced boss: The temporary Celtic boss has recently been recalling regarding his initial encounter against Rangers two and a half decades past, the 6-2 'Demolition Derby'.

Well, replicating that could be very challenging, scoring six goals against that side. I would take a scrappy single-goal triumph if we could get it. Various individuals tell me and mention to me: 'That was a fantastic encounter', though they weren't alive then. They tell me their family members spoke about it regularly. It became a really pivotal match for our team, not just that season, but likely for future progress.

The anxiety for approximately three days before, and subsequently if you achieved victory, tremendous relief. And I think that's what the renowned Walter Smith often mentioned too, that it was relief more than anything else. However these were magnificent contests truly. It's still a fantastic fixture.

This is a big game for our team. Truthfully, don't hide that reality. It's a semi-final, it's a big match for our side. Each encounter between these rivals constitutes a significant occasion, though especially considering the situation of recent times, if not recent weeks, certainly.

Managerial Experience

Two fresh managers leading their teams today though there's a significant difference in rivalry knowledge between them. Danny Röhl encounters his inaugural as Rangers manager whereas Martin O'Neill prepares to oversee of his 28th.

The outcome today might significantly influence on the duration O'Neill's return as (interim, for now) Celtic boss lasts, as Ewan Murray has been pondering.

The club might spend five million pounds in compensation to coax Kieran McKenna from Ipswich Town. They might consider a larger risk involving Robbie Keane. The reigning champions might choose to offer Nicky Hayen from Club Brugge a first taste within British soccer. These represent risks in different manners. Beyond O'Neill? This remains questionable.

Team Selections

Celtic (4-3-3): Schmeichel; Ralston, Trusty, Scales, Sarrachi; McGregor, Engels, Nygren; Maeda, Kenny, Tounekti.

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

Marcelo Sarrachi features preferred to Kieran Tierney at left-back. James Forrest is additionally excluded of the XI that beat Falkirk in midweek.

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

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

James Tavernier receives preference instead of Max Aarons on the right, featuring Mohamed Diomande for the suspended Connor Barron in the middle and Thelo Aasgaard preferred instead of Mikey Moore in offensive positions.

Match Preview

Good afternoon and welcome to this derby match. It's got to be better {than last time|compared to the previous meeting|versus