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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 meet St Mirren in this stadium in December … the action begins.

Other Football

Other football: John Brewin is on our minute-by-minute coverage for the West Ham-Newcastle clash in the EPL; Yara El-Shaboury brings the newest developments from the early kick-offs in the Women's Super League.

Turning to this match, approximately five minutes remain before the game begins at the national stadium!

Referee Information

Nick Walsh takes charge this afternoon. He also refereed the 2024 cup final featuring these two rivals and a continental game the previous campaign where he showed four sending-offs and a dozen bookings. Avoid challenging him.

Coaching Perspectives

The Rangers manager: While this is his first Old Firm, the new Rangers manager has stated clearly in recent days that he's familiar with taking part in other significant derbies during his managerial journey, with Bayern Munich plus his stint at Wednesday.

I recall during Hansi Flick's appointment, our following match was at home against Dortmund. We secured a 4-0 victory. It consistently offers motivation following success in these encounters. As well, in the Championship in the Steel derby, I was involved in that as well. I know what it means for the fans. This transcends ordinary football.

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

I hold great admiration for such a managerial journey. I consider it consistently remarkable for a coach when you sustain your career over decades in this field and accomplish your objectives.

I'm merely commencing my coaching path. I have substantial work ahead to achieve similar status though the encouraging factor we begin level, different generations and let's see what we can contribute via our selections in this game.

I'm tremendously excited. I've gained some experience though I anticipate a big, big one during Sunday's match. To participate in such a match, it's all or nothing. Success secures a final place, a loss ends your participation. I think everything is on for an outstanding match.

Opposition Manager

The experienced boss: The temporary Celtic boss has this week been reminiscing concerning his debut match versus their rivals a quarter-century ago, the memorable 6-2 victory.

Now, repeating that performance may prove quite arduous, netting six times against those opponents. I would accept a scrappy single-goal triumph if we managed to secure it. Various individuals tell me and inform me: 'That was an amazing match', and they weren't even born. They relate to me their ancestors and parents discussed it frequently. It became a really pivotal match for our club, not just that season, but probably for continuing on.

The nervousness for about 72 hours prior to the match, and then should you secure success, significant comfort. And I believe that's exactly the renowned Walter Smith frequently stated similarly, that relief outweighed other emotions. Yet these represented superb matches really. It remains a wonderful encounter.

This constitutes a significant fixture for our club. Really, don't disguise that at all. It's a last-four clash, it's a crucial contest for us. Every Old Firm match constitutes a significant occasion, but particularly given the circumstances of recent times, if not recent weeks, definitely.

Dugout History

Two fresh managers leading their teams today though there's a significant difference in Old Firm experience between them. Danny Röhl encounters his inaugural leading Rangers whereas Martin O'Neill prepares to oversee of his 28th.

The outcome today might significantly influence on how long O'Neill's return as (interim, for now) Celtic boss persists, as Ewan Murray has reflected.

The club might spend five million pounds in compensation to lure Kieran McKenna away from Ipswich. They might consider a more significant chance involving Robbie Keane. The title holders might choose to offer Club Brugge manager Nicky Hayen an initial experience within British soccer. These constitute chances to varying degrees. Even more than O'Neill? This remains questionable.

Starting Lineups

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 preferred to Kieran Tierney at left-back. James Forrest also drops out of the XI 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 is selected over Max Aarons on the right side, including Mohamed Diomande taking Connor Barron's suspended place in the middle and Thelo Aasgaard preferred instead of Mikey Moore in offensive positions.

Opening Context

Hello and welcome to this Old Firm clash. It should be improved {than last time|compared to the previous meeting|versus