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

Other Football

More matches: John Brewin offers real-time commentary for West Ham vs Newcastle in the Premier League; Yara El-Shaboury has all the latest from the early kick-offs in the Women's Super League.

Turning to this match, there's just over five minutes until kick-off at Hampden!

Referee Information

Nick Walsh is the man in the middle this match. He also refereed the 2024 Scottish Cup final involving Celtic and Rangers and a Europa League match last season during which he issued four dismissals and twelve cautions. Avoid challenging him.

Dugout Views

The German coach: Despite this being his debut in this fixture, the fresh-faced gaffer has stated clearly recently that he's familiar with being involved in other significant derbies in his coaching career, with Bayern Munich plus his stint at Wednesday.

I can remember during Hansi Flick's appointment, our second game was versus Dortmund at home. We triumphed 4-0. It always provides a lift when you triumph in such matches. Additionally, in the EFL Championship in the Steel derby, I was involved in that as well. I know what it means among the followers. This represents more than a simple match.

The 36-year-old German has also been lauding Martin O'Neill's lengthy tenure at 73.

I have tremendous respect for such a coaching career. I think it is always great as a manager when you remain active for so many years 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 commence evenly matched, different generations and we'll observe what we can contribute with our teams in this fixture.

I'm tremendously excited. I've accumulated certain experiences yet I foresee a big, big one during Sunday's match. To be part of such a game, everything is at stake. Victory means reaching the final, a loss ends your participation. I think everything is on for a great, great game.

Opposition Manager

The Celtic manager: The stand-in manager has recently been recalling concerning his debut match against Rangers 25 years ago, the famous 6-2 demolition.

Certainly, matching that achievement could be very challenging, putting six past them against that side. I would take a scrappy single-goal triumph if we managed to secure it. Certain supporters approach and say to me: 'That was a fantastic encounter', though they weren't alive then. They relate to me their grandfathers and fathers spoke about it regularly. It transformed into a crucial game for our team, not only during that campaign, but probably for continuing on.

The nervousness for about 72 hours before, and subsequently if you achieved victory, significant comfort. And I believe that's exactly the legendary Walter Smith frequently stated similarly, that it was relief more than anything else. However these were magnificent contests genuinely. 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 a big match for our side. Every Old Firm match is a big game, but particularly given the situation of the recent days, if not recent weeks, absolutely.

Coaching Background

Two fresh managers in the dugouts today but there's a big gap in rivalry knowledge among them. Danny Röhl faces his debut as the Rangers boss while Martin O'Neill is about to take charge of his 28th.

This match's conclusion could have a major impact on the duration O'Neill's comeback as temporary Celtic manager continues, as Ewan Murray has considered.

Celtic could pay substantial compensation to lure Kieran McKenna away from Ipswich. They could take an even bigger gamble involving Robbie Keane. The Scottish champions may opt to give Nicky Hayen from Club Brugge a first taste within British soccer. These represent risks to varying degrees. Even 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.

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

Marcelo Sarrachi starts instead of Kieran Tierney in the left-back position. James Forrest also drops out from the first team that overcame 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 is selected over Max Aarons in the right flank position, including Mohamed Diomande for the suspended Connor Barron in central areas and Thelo Aasgaard chosen to Mikey Moore in offensive positions.

Preamble

Greetings and welcome to this derby match. It ought to be superior {than last time|compared to the previous meeting|versus