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Match Coverage

The teams emerge into the noise, Hampden Park divided in two between blue and green. For the right to face St Mirren in this stadium next month … the action begins.

Additional Fixtures

More matches: John Brewin offers real-time commentary for the West Ham-Newcastle clash in England's top flight; Yara El-Shaboury brings the newest developments from the day's opening matches in the women's top division.

Turning to this match, we're only five minutes away before the start at the national stadium!

Officiating Team

Nick Walsh will referee this match. He previously officiated the 2024 cup final featuring these two rivals and a Europa League match last season during which he issued four sending-offs and 12 yellows. Steer clear of confrontation.

Coaching Perspectives

Danny Röhl: Although this marks his initial Old Firm, the fresh-faced gaffer has emphasized recently that he's accustomed to being involved in other major rivalries in his coaching career, during his time at Bayern and with Sheffield Wednesday.

I recollect when Hansi Flick assumed control, our second game was versus Dortmund at home. We secured a 4-0 victory. It consistently offers motivation following success in these encounters. As well, in England's second tier in the Sheffield derby, I participated there too. I understand the significance among the followers. This transcends ordinary football.

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

I have tremendous 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 of my career. I have a lot of work to do to come to this point however the positive aspect we begin level, distinct coaching generations and we'll discover what we can demonstrate via our selections in this encounter.

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. Victory means reaching the final, a loss ends your participation. I feel all elements converge for an outstanding match.

Rival Coach

The experienced boss: The temporary Celtic boss has recently been recalling regarding his initial encounter with Rangers 25 years ago, the 6-2 'Demolition Derby'.

Certainly, matching that achievement may prove quite arduous, netting six times against those opponents. I would take a really lousy 1-0 victory if we could get it. Various individuals tell me and inform me: 'That was an amazing match', and they weren't even born. They relate to me their family members discussed it frequently. It evolved into a decisive encounter for our team, not just that season, but possibly for sustained development.

The anxiety for approximately three days before, and subsequently if you achieved victory, significant comfort. And I feel that's precisely the renowned Walter Smith frequently stated similarly, that relief outweighed other emotions. However these were magnificent contests genuinely. It's still a fantastic fixture.

This is a big game for us. Really, don't disguise that at all. It's a semi-final encounter, it's a big match for us. Every Old Firm match represents a major event, however specifically because of the situation of the recent days, possibly even months, definitely.

Managerial Experience

Two different coaches on the sidelines this afternoon yet there's a substantial disparity in derby experience separating them. Danny Röhl faces his debut as Rangers manager while Martin O'Neill is about to take charge of his 28th.

Today's result 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 substantial compensation to lure Kieran McKenna from Ipswich Town. They could take a more significant chance involving Robbie Keane. The reigning champions may opt to give Nicky Hayen from Club Brugge an initial experience in British football. These constitute chances to varying degrees. Beyond O'Neill? This is debatable.

First XIs

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 ahead of Kieran Tierney at left-back. James Forrest is additionally excluded from the starting lineup 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 taking Connor Barron's suspended place in the middle and Thelo Aasgaard preferred to Mikey Moore in forward roles.

Preamble

Greetings and welcome to this Old Firm clash. It's got to be better {than last time|compared to the previous meeting|versus