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The teams emerge to a thunderous reception, Hampden separated evenly between blue and green. For the right to face St Mirren at this venue this December … the action begins.

Additional Fixtures

Additional games: John Brewin provides live updates for West Ham v Newcastle in the EPL; Yara El-Shaboury brings the newest developments from the early kick-offs in the women's top division.

Turning to this match, we're only five minutes away until kick-off at the national stadium!

Referee Information

Nick Walsh is the man in the middle this match. He was also the referee for the 2024 Scottish Cup final between Celtic and Rangers and a continental game the previous campaign where he showed four red cards and 12 yellows. Avoid challenging him.

Coaching Perspectives

The Rangers manager: While this is his first Old Firm, the new Rangers manager has made it clear in recent days 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 assumed control, our second game was versus Dortmund at home. We triumphed 4-0. It consistently offers motivation when you triumph in such matches. Additionally, in the Championship during the Steel City derby, I was involved in that as well. I understand the significance for the fans. This is more than just a game.

The German manager has been complimenting 73-year-old Martin O'Neill's longevity.

I hold great admiration for such a managerial journey. I believe it's always impressive as a manager when you work so long in this industry and achieve success.

I am just at the beginning my professional journey. I have a lot of work to do to come to this point though the encouraging factor we start at 0-0, different generations and we'll observe what we can contribute with our teams in this encounter.

I'm tremendously excited. I have had some experience yet I foresee a massive occasion on Sunday. To participate in such a match, it's all or nothing. Victory means reaching the final, a loss ends your participation. I believe all factors align for a great, great game.

Counterpart Perspective

The experienced boss: The Celtic interim manager has been reflecting this week regarding his initial encounter versus their rivals a quarter-century ago, the memorable 6-2 victory.

Well, replicating that could be very challenging, scoring six goals versus that team. I would take an unattractive 1-0 win if we managed to secure it. Certain supporters approach and inform me: 'That was an amazing match', and they weren't even born. They tell me their ancestors and parents were talking about it. It transformed into a crucial game for our team, not merely in that term, but likely for future progress.

The nervousness for about 72 hours beforehand, and then if you got the result, a great relief. And I believe that's exactly the renowned Walter Smith used to say about it as well, that it was relief more than anything else. Yet these represented superb matches truly. It remains a wonderful encounter.

This represents an important match for us. Honestly, don't conceal that fact. It's a semi-final, it's a big match for our side. Any Celtic-Rangers game constitutes a significant occasion, however specifically because of the circumstances of the recent days, possibly even months, absolutely.

Coaching Background

Two different coaches on the sidelines this afternoon though there's a significant difference in rivalry knowledge separating them. Danny Röhl is experiencing his first as the Rangers boss while Martin O'Neill gets ready to manage his twenty-eighth.

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

Celtic could pay £5m in compensation to lure Kieran McKenna away from Ipswich. They may attempt an even bigger gamble involving Robbie Keane. The reigning champions could decide to provide Nicky Hayen from Club Brugge an initial experience of British football. These are all gambles to varying degrees. More than O'Neill? This remains questionable.

First XIs

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

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

Marcelo Sarrachi features preferred to 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.

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

James Tavernier receives preference ahead of Max Aarons on the right, including Mohamed Diomande taking Connor Barron's suspended place in the middle with Thelo Aasgaard favored instead of Mikey Moore in forward roles.

Match Preview

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