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Match Coverage

The players head out amid the roar, Hampden Park split down the middle between blue and green. To earn the chance to face St Mirren FC here in December … it all kicks off.

Other Matches

More matches: John Brewin is on our minute-by-minute coverage for West Ham vs Newcastle in England's top flight; Yara El-Shaboury has all the latest from the initial games in the Women's Super League.

As for us, approximately five minutes remain before the start at the national stadium!

Match Officials

Nick Walsh will referee this match. He previously officiated the 2024 Scottish Cup final between Celtic and Rangers and a continental game the previous campaign where he showed four sending-offs and 12 yellows. Steer clear of confrontation.

Manager Insights

Danny Röhl: While this is his first Old Firm, the fresh-faced gaffer has stated clearly recently that he's used to participating in other significant derbies in his coaching career, during his time at Bayern and with Sheffield Wednesday.

I can remember when Hansi Flick assumed control, our second game was at home against Dortmund. We secured a 4-0 victory. It always provides a lift following success in these encounters. As well, in England's second tier in the Sheffield derby, I was involved in that as well. I understand the significance among the followers. This transcends ordinary football.

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

I hold great admiration for such a coaching career. I believe it's always impressive as a manager when you remain active for so many years in this field and achieve success.

I am just at the beginning of my career. There's much work remaining to achieve similar status but the good thing is we commence evenly matched, distinct coaching generations and we'll discover what we can bring via our selections in this fixture.

I'm incredibly enthusiastic. I've accumulated certain experiences but I expect a big, big one on Sunday. To be part of such a game, everything is at stake. You win, you go into the final, you lose, you're out. I feel all elements converge for a magnificent contest.

Counterpart Perspective

Martin O'Neill: The temporary Celtic boss has recently been recalling about his first meeting versus their rivals a quarter-century ago, the 6-2 'Demolition Derby'.

Well, replicating that may prove quite arduous, putting six past them against that side. I would take a scrappy single-goal triumph if we managed to secure it. Some lads come up and inform me: 'That was an amazing match', and they weren't even born. They inform me their grandfathers and fathers discussed it frequently. It transformed into a crucial game for us, not only during that campaign, but likely for future progress.

The tension for nearly 72 hours before, and then should you secure success, tremendous relief. And I think that's what the legendary Walter Smith frequently stated similarly, that comfort surpassed other feelings. But they were fantastic fixtures really. It continues to be a superb rivalry.

This is a big game for our club. Really, don't disguise that at all. It's a semi-final, it's a big match for us. Each encounter between these rivals represents a major event, though especially considering the conditions of recent times, if not weeks, definitely.

Dugout History

Two different coaches leading their teams today yet there's a substantial disparity in Old Firm experience among them. Danny Röhl faces his debut as the Rangers boss while Martin O'Neill gets ready to manage his twenty-eighth.

Today's result could have a major impact regarding the tenure O'Neill's comeback as stand-in Celtic coach lasts, as Ewan Murray has considered.

Celtic could pay five million pounds in compensation to persuade Kieran McKenna from Ipswich. They may attempt a larger risk with Robbie Keane. The reigning champions might choose to offer Club Brugge's Nicky Hayen an initial experience in British football. These constitute chances in their own way. Even more than O'Neill? This remains questionable.

Starting Lineups

Celtic FC (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 begins preferred to Kieran Tierney on the left defensive flank. James Forrest also drops out from the starting lineup that beat Falkirk during the week.

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 is selected instead of Max Aarons in the right flank position, including Mohamed Diomande taking Connor Barron's suspended place in midfield and Thelo Aasgaard chosen to Mikey Moore in offensive positions.

Match Preview

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