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The squads take the field to a thunderous reception, Hampden divided in two into blue and green. To earn the chance to meet St Mirren here in December … here we go.

Additional Fixtures

Other football: John Brewin is on our minute-by-minute coverage for West Ham vs Newcastle in the Premier League; Yara El-Shaboury delivers fresh updates from the early kick-offs in the Women's Super League.

Turning to this match, approximately five minutes remain before the game begins at the national stadium!

Referee Information

Nick Walsh is the man in the middle this match. He also refereed the 2024 cup final between Celtic and Rangers plus a European fixture in the last term when he distributed four dismissals and a dozen bookings. Avoid challenging him.

Coaching Perspectives

The German coach: Despite this being his debut in this fixture, the new Rangers manager has emphasized in recent days that he's familiar with taking part in other significant derbies in his coaching career, during his time at Bayern and with Sheffield Wednesday.

I recollect during Hansi Flick's appointment, our following match took place against Dortmund at our stadium. We won 4-0. It consistently offers motivation if you win such a game. Furthermore, in the EFL Championship in the Steel derby, I participated there too. I understand the significance among the followers. This represents more than a simple match.

The German manager has been praising Martin O'Neill's lengthy tenure at 73.

I hold great admiration for such a coaching career. I consider it consistently remarkable for a coach when you remain active for so many years in this business and accomplish your objectives.

I'm merely commencing my professional journey. There's much work remaining to come to this point but the good thing is we start at 0-0, distinct coaching generations and we'll observe what we can demonstrate with our teams in this encounter.

I'm incredibly enthusiastic. I have had some experience yet I foresee a big, big one during Sunday's match. To be involved in this fixture, everything is at stake. You win, you go into the final, you lose, you're out. I believe all factors align for an outstanding match.

Rival Coach

The Celtic manager: The Celtic interim manager has this week been reminiscing about his first meeting against Rangers two and a half decades past, the memorable 6-2 victory.

Well, replicating that might be extremely difficult, putting six past them against those opponents. I would take a scrappy single-goal triumph if we managed to secure it. Some lads come up and mention to me: 'That was an amazing match', despite not being born at the time. They inform me their family members were talking about it. It transformed into a crucial game for our club, not only during that campaign, but possibly for sustained development.

The tension for nearly 72 hours prior to the match, and then should you secure success, significant comfort. And I think that's what the renowned Walter Smith used to say about it as well, that relief outweighed other emotions. However these were magnificent contests really. It continues to be a superb rivalry.

This is a big game for our club. Honestly, don't conceal that fact. It's a last-four clash, it's a crucial contest for our side. Any Celtic-Rangers game represents a major event, but particularly given the circumstances of the recent days, if not weeks, certainly.

Managerial Experience

Two new managers in the dugouts today though there's a significant difference in derby experience between them. Danny Röhl faces his debut as Rangers manager while Martin O'Neill gets ready to manage of his 28th.

The outcome today could have a major impact on the duration O'Neill's return as (interim, for now) Celtic boss lasts, as Ewan Murray has been pondering.

They could potentially invest substantial compensation to lure Kieran McKenna from Ipswich. They may attempt a more significant chance involving Robbie Keane. The Scottish champions may opt to give Club Brugge manager Nicky Hayen a first taste of British football. These constitute chances in different manners. Even more than O'Neill? This is arguable.

First XIs

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 features instead of Kieran Tierney at left-back. James Forrest is additionally excluded of the XI that overcame Falkirk in midweek.

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 is selected instead of Max Aarons on the right, including Mohamed Diomande taking Connor Barron's suspended place in midfield and Thelo Aasgaard chosen over Mikey Moore in attack.

Match Preview

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