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Match Coverage

The players head out amid the roar, Hampden Park divided in two between blue and green. For the right to play St Mirren in this stadium in December … the action begins.

Other Football

More matches: John Brewin provides live updates for the West Ham-Newcastle clash in the EPL; Yara El-Shaboury has all the latest from the day's opening matches in the women's top division.

As for us, approximately five minutes remain until kick-off at the national stadium!

Match Officials

Nick Walsh takes charge this match. He was also the referee for the 2024 cup final between Celtic and Rangers and a continental game last season when he distributed four red cards and twelve cautions. Don't cross him.

Dugout Views

Danny Röhl: Despite this being his debut in this fixture, the recently appointed boss has stated clearly this week that he's used to being involved in other significant derbies during his managerial journey, at Bayern Munich plus his stint at Wednesday.

I recall when Hansi Flick assumed control, our subsequent fixture took place against Dortmund at our stadium. We won 4-0. It is always a booster when you triumph in such matches. Additionally, in England's second tier in the Steel derby, I was also part [of it] there. I understand the significance among the followers. This transcends ordinary football.

The German manager has been complimenting the enduring career of 73-year-old Martin O'Neill.

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 field and achieve success.

I'm only starting out of my career. There's much work remaining to come to this point however the positive aspect we start at 0-0, separate eras and we'll discover what we can contribute through our squads in this encounter.

I am very excited. I've gained some experience yet I foresee a massive occasion on Sunday. To be involved in this fixture, it's all or nothing. Success secures a final place, a loss ends your participation. I believe all factors align for a great, great game.

Counterpart Perspective

Martin O'Neill: The stand-in manager has recently been recalling regarding his initial encounter with Rangers a quarter-century ago, the famous 6-2 demolition.

Now, repeating that performance might be extremely difficult, netting six times against that side. I would take a really lousy 1-0 victory should we achieve it. Some lads come up and mention to me: 'That was a fantastic encounter', despite not being born at the time. They inform me their grandfathers and fathers were talking about it. It evolved into a decisive encounter for our team, not just that season, but probably for continuing on.

The nervousness for about 72 hours before, and subsequently if you achieved victory, tremendous relief. And I believe that's exactly the great Walter Smith often mentioned too, that relief outweighed other emotions. However these were magnificent contests truly. It's still a fantastic fixture.

This constitutes a significant fixture for our club. Honestly, don't conceal that fact. It's a semi-final encounter, it's an important game for us. Every Old Firm match is a big game, however specifically because of the circumstances of the recent days, if not weeks, absolutely.

Managerial Experience

Two different coaches on the sidelines this afternoon though there's a significant difference in derby experience between them. Danny Röhl encounters his inaugural as Rangers manager while Martin O'Neill gets ready to manage his 28th such match.

Today's result may substantially affect regarding the tenure O'Neill's second spell as temporary Celtic manager lasts, as Ewan Murray has considered.

They could potentially invest five million pounds in compensation to persuade Kieran McKenna from Ipswich. They could take an even bigger gamble on Robbie Keane. The reigning champions might choose to offer Club Brugge manager Nicky Hayen a debut opportunity of British football. These are all gambles in different manners. Even more than O'Neill? This is debatable.

First XIs

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 starts ahead of Kieran Tierney on the left defensive flank. James Forrest also drops out of the XI that beat Falkirk during the week.

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 gets the nod ahead of Max Aarons on the right, with Mohamed Diomande coming in taking Connor Barron's suspended place in midfield with Thelo Aasgaard favored to Mikey Moore in offensive positions.

Preamble

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