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Match Coverage

The teams emerge amid the roar, Hampden Park separated evenly into blue and green. For the right to play St Mirren FC at this venue this December … here we go.

Other Matches

Additional games: John Brewin provides live updates for West Ham v Newcastle in the EPL; Yara El-Shaboury delivers fresh updates from the day's opening matches in the Women's Super League.

Turning to this match, there's just over five minutes before the game begins at the national stadium!

Referee Information

Nick Walsh is the man in the middle today. He was also the referee for the 2024 cup final featuring these two rivals plus a European fixture in the last term where he showed four dismissals and a dozen bookings. Steer clear of confrontation.

Manager Insights

The Rangers manager: Despite this being his debut in this fixture, the new Rangers manager has made it clear in recent days that he's familiar with participating in other significant derbies as a coach, during his time at Bayern plus his stint at Wednesday.

I recall during Hansi Flick's appointment, our following match was at home against Dortmund. We triumphed 4-0. It consistently offers motivation when you triumph in such matches. Additionally, in the Championship in the Sheffield derby, I was also part [of it] there. I recognize the importance among the followers. This represents more than a simple match.

The 36-year-old German has been complimenting 73-year-old Martin O'Neill's longevity.

I have tremendous respect for that type of coaching legacy. I think it is always great as a manager when you sustain your career over decades in this field and achieve success.

I'm merely commencing of my career. I have a lot of work to do to achieve similar status however the positive aspect we commence evenly matched, distinct coaching generations and let's see what we can contribute with our teams in this game.

I'm tremendously excited. I have had some experience though I anticipate a massive occasion on Sunday. To participate in such a match, the stakes are extremely high. Success secures a final place, a loss ends your participation. I think everything is on for an outstanding match.

Counterpart Perspective

The Celtic manager: The Celtic interim manager has this week been reminiscing concerning his debut match with Rangers 25 years ago, the famous 6-2 demolition.

Certainly, matching that achievement might be extremely difficult, netting six times versus that team. I would accept a scrappy single-goal triumph if we managed to secure it. Some lads come up and mention to me: 'That was a fantastic encounter', though they weren't alive then. They relate to me their ancestors and parents spoke about it regularly. It became a really pivotal match for our team, not merely in that term, but probably for continuing on.

The anxiety for approximately three days beforehand, and subsequently if you achieved victory, tremendous relief. And I think that's what the legendary Walter Smith used to say about it as well, that it was relief more than anything else. Yet these represented superb matches genuinely. It's still a fantastic fixture.

This represents an important match for our club. Honestly, don't conceal that fact. It's a last-four clash, it's a big match for our side. Every Old Firm match represents a major event, however specifically because of the situation of recent times, possibly even months, certainly.

Dugout History

Two fresh managers leading their teams today yet there's a substantial disparity in Old Firm experience among them. Danny Röhl encounters his inaugural as the Rangers boss while Martin O'Neill gets ready to manage his twenty-eighth.

This match's conclusion could have a major impact on how long O'Neill's second spell as temporary Celtic manager continues, as Ewan Murray has been pondering.

They could potentially invest five million pounds in compensation to lure Kieran McKenna from Ipswich Town. They may attempt a larger risk with Robbie Keane. The Scottish champions could decide to provide Club Brugge manager Nicky Hayen an initial experience within British soccer. These constitute chances in their own way. Even more than O'Neill? This is arguable.

First XIs

Celtic (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 features preferred to Kieran Tierney on the left defensive flank. James Forrest is additionally excluded of the XI that beat Falkirk in midweek.

Rangers (3-4-3): Butland; Djiga, Souttar, Cornelius; Tavernier, Diomande, Raskin, Meghoma; Aasgaard, Chermiti, Danilo.

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

James Tavernier receives preference over Max Aarons on the right side, with Mohamed Diomande coming in taking Connor Barron's suspended place in central areas with Thelo Aasgaard favored to Mikey Moore in offensive positions.

Match Preview

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