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The squads take the field to a thunderous reception, Hampden separated evenly into blue and green. For the opportunity to meet St Mirren here next month … it all kicks off.

Other Matches

Additional games: John Brewin is on our minute-by-minute coverage for West Ham v Newcastle in the EPL; Yara El-Shaboury brings the newest developments from the initial games in the women's top division.

Regarding our coverage, approximately five minutes remain before the start at Hampden Park!

Referee Information

Nick Walsh is the man in the middle this afternoon. He also refereed the 2024 cup final featuring these two rivals plus a European fixture in the last term where he showed four sending-offs and twelve cautions. Steer clear of confrontation.

Manager Insights

The Rangers manager: Although this marks his initial Old Firm, the fresh-faced gaffer has stated clearly in recent days that he's familiar with participating in other significant derbies in his coaching career, during his time at Bayern and Sheffield Wednesday.

I can remember when Hansi Flick assumed control, our subsequent fixture took place against Dortmund at our stadium. We won 4-0. It consistently offers motivation when you triumph in such matches. As well, in the EFL Championship during the Steel City derby, I was also part [of it] there. I recognize the importance to the supporters. This represents more than a simple match.

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

I feel a big respect for that type of coaching legacy. I consider it consistently remarkable for a coach when you remain active for so many years in this field and accomplish your objectives.

I am just at the beginning of my career. I have a lot of work to do to achieve similar status but the good thing is we commence evenly matched, distinct coaching generations and we'll observe what we can contribute with our teams in this game.

I'm tremendously excited. I've gained some experience though I anticipate an enormous event on Sunday. To be involved in this fixture, the stakes are extremely high. You win, you go into the final, a loss ends your participation. I believe all factors align for a magnificent contest.

Counterpart Perspective

The Celtic manager: The Celtic interim manager has recently been recalling about his first meeting versus their rivals two and a half decades past, the famous 6-2 demolition.

Well, replicating that may prove quite arduous, scoring six goals against those opponents. I would accept an unattractive 1-0 win if we managed to secure it. Various individuals tell me and inform me: 'That was a great game', despite not being born at the time. They inform me their family members spoke about it regularly. It became a really pivotal match for our team, not only during that campaign, but probably for continuing on.

The nervousness for about 72 hours beforehand, and then if you got the result, a great relief. And I think that's what the great Walter Smith frequently stated similarly, that comfort surpassed other feelings. However these were magnificent contests genuinely. It continues to be a superb rivalry.

This constitutes a significant fixture for our team. Truthfully, don't hide that reality. It's a semi-final encounter, it's a big match for our side. Every Old Firm match represents a major event, but particularly given the situation of recent times, if not recent weeks, definitely.

Coaching Background

Two new managers on the sidelines this afternoon yet there's a substantial disparity in Old Firm experience among them. Danny Röhl faces his debut as Rangers manager while Martin O'Neill is about to take charge his twenty-eighth.

Today's result may substantially affect on how long O'Neill's second spell as (interim, for now) Celtic boss persists, as Ewan Murray has been pondering.

Celtic could pay £5m in compensation to persuade Kieran McKenna from Ipswich Town. They may attempt a larger risk on Robbie Keane. The reigning champions might choose to offer Club Brugge manager Nicky Hayen an initial experience in British football. These represent risks in their own way. Even more than O'Neill? This is arguable.

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 begins preferred to Kieran Tierney at left-back. James Forrest is also omitted from the starting lineup that defeated Falkirk in midweek.

Rangers FC (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 instead of Max Aarons on the right, including Mohamed Diomande replacing the banned Connor Barron in midfield and Thelo Aasgaard preferred to Mikey Moore in offensive positions.

Preamble

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