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The squads take the field into the noise, Hampden Park separated evenly between blue and green. For the opportunity to play St Mirren at this venue this December … it all kicks off.

Other Football

Other football: John Brewin offers real-time commentary for the West Ham-Newcastle clash in England's top flight; Yara El-Shaboury delivers fresh updates from the initial games in the Women's Super League.

Regarding our coverage, we're only five minutes away before the game begins at the national stadium!

Match Officials

Nick Walsh is the man in the middle today. He was also the referee for the 2024 Scottish Cup final featuring these two rivals plus a European fixture in the last term where he showed four sending-offs and a dozen bookings. Steer clear of confrontation.

Coaching Perspectives

The Rangers manager: While this is his first Old Firm, the recently appointed boss has emphasized recently that he's accustomed to taking part in other important local clashes in his coaching career, during his time at Bayern and Sheffield Wednesday.

I recollect when Hansi Flick took over, our subsequent fixture took place against Dortmund at our stadium. We won 4-0. It consistently offers motivation when you triumph in such matches. Furthermore, in England's second tier in the Sheffield derby, I was also part [of it] there. I know what it means to the supporters. This is more than just a game.

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

I have tremendous respect for such a managerial journey. I believe it's always impressive in this profession when you remain active for so many years in this field and accomplish your objectives.

I'm only starting out my coaching path. There's much work remaining to reach that level though the encouraging factor we start at 0-0, different generations and we'll observe what we can bring through our squads in this fixture.

I'm incredibly enthusiastic. I have had some experience yet I foresee a big, big one on Sunday. To be part of such a game, the stakes are extremely high. Victory means reaching the final, defeat means elimination. I feel all elements converge for an outstanding match.

Rival Coach

The Celtic manager: The Celtic interim manager has this week been reminiscing regarding his initial encounter against Rangers a quarter-century ago, the memorable 6-2 victory.

Now, repeating that performance may prove quite arduous, netting six times against that side. I'd settle for a really lousy 1-0 victory if we could get it. Various individuals tell me and inform me: 'That was a fantastic encounter', though they weren't alive then. They inform me their grandfathers and fathers discussed it frequently. It transformed into a crucial game for our club, not just that season, but probably for continuing on.

The nervousness for about 72 hours prior to the match, and then if you got the result, tremendous relief. And I think that's what the great Walter Smith used to say about it as well, that comfort surpassed other feelings. But they were fantastic fixtures really. It continues to be a superb rivalry.

This represents an important match for our team. Truthfully, don't hide that reality. It's a semi-final encounter, it's an important game for our squad. Any Celtic-Rangers game constitutes a significant occasion, though especially considering the situation of the recent days, if not weeks, absolutely.

Dugout History

Two different coaches in the dugouts today but there's a big gap in Old Firm experience between them. Danny Röhl is experiencing his first leading Rangers while Martin O'Neill is about to take charge his 28th such match.

Today's result could have a major impact regarding the tenure O'Neill's return as temporary Celtic manager continues, as Ewan Murray has been pondering.

They could potentially invest five million pounds in compensation to coax Kieran McKenna away from Ipswich. They may attempt an even bigger gamble on Robbie Keane. The reigning champions may opt to give Nicky Hayen from Club Brugge an initial experience within British soccer. These represent risks to varying degrees. Even more than O'Neill? This is arguable.

Team Selections

Celtic FC (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 begins instead of Kieran Tierney at left-back. James Forrest is also omitted from the first team that beat Falkirk in their recent match.

Rangers FC (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 gets the nod over Max Aarons in the right flank position, including Mohamed Diomande taking Connor Barron's suspended place in the middle with Thelo Aasgaard favored instead of Mikey Moore in offensive positions.

Opening Context

Greetings and welcome to this derby match. It should be improved {than last time|compared to the previous meeting|versus