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The teams emerge into the noise, Hampden separated evenly into blue and green. To earn the chance to face St Mirren FC in this stadium this December … it all kicks off.

Other Matches

Other football: John Brewin is on our minute-by-minute coverage for the West Ham-Newcastle clash in the EPL; Yara El-Shaboury delivers fresh updates from the initial games in the Women's Super League.

As for us, we're only five minutes away before the game begins at the national stadium!

Officiating Team

Nick Walsh takes charge this afternoon. He also refereed the 2024 Scottish Cup final involving Celtic and Rangers plus a European fixture last season where he showed four red cards and 12 yellows. Don't cross him.

Dugout Views

The Rangers manager: While this is his first Old Firm, the recently appointed boss has stated clearly in recent days that he's accustomed to participating in other important local clashes as a coach, during his time at Bayern and with Sheffield Wednesday.

I recall when Hansi Flick assumed control, our subsequent fixture was versus Dortmund at home. We won 4-0. It is always a booster following success in these encounters. Furthermore, in the Championship in the Sheffield derby, I participated there too. I understand the significance for the fans. This transcends ordinary football.

The young coach has been praising 73-year-old Martin O'Neill's longevity.

I have tremendous respect for such a managerial journey. I believe it's always impressive for a coach when you remain active for so many years 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 though the encouraging factor we commence evenly matched, separate eras and let's see what we can contribute with our teams in this encounter.

I am very excited. I've gained some experience yet I foresee a massive occasion this Sunday. To be involved in this fixture, the stakes are extremely high. Victory means reaching the final, defeat means elimination. I think everything is on for a great, great game.

Counterpart Perspective

The Celtic manager: The stand-in manager has recently been recalling about his first meeting with Rangers a quarter-century ago, the 6-2 'Demolition Derby'.

Well, replicating that may prove quite arduous, putting six past them against those opponents. I would accept a scrappy single-goal triumph if we managed to secure it. Various individuals tell me and say to me: 'That was an amazing match', and they weren't even born. They inform me their family members discussed it frequently. It transformed into a crucial game for our club, not merely in that term, but likely for future progress.

The tension for nearly 72 hours beforehand, and then if you got the result, significant comfort. 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. But they were fantastic fixtures truly. It continues to be a superb rivalry.

This is a big game for our club. Truthfully, don't hide that reality. It's a semi-final, it's a crucial contest for us. Each encounter between these rivals is a big game, though especially considering the situation of the past few days, if not recent weeks, certainly.

Dugout History

Two different coaches on the sidelines this afternoon yet there's a substantial disparity in derby experience among them. Danny Röhl faces his debut leading Rangers whereas Martin O'Neill prepares to oversee his twenty-eighth.

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

Celtic could pay £5m in compensation to persuade Kieran McKenna from Ipswich Town. They could take a larger risk with Robbie Keane. The reigning champions could decide to provide Nicky Hayen from Club Brugge an initial experience within British soccer. These represent risks in their own way. Even more than O'Neill? This is debatable.

Team Selections

Celtic (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 begins instead of Kieran Tierney at left-back. James Forrest also drops out of the XI that overcame Falkirk during the week.

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 is selected over Max Aarons on the right side, including Mohamed Diomande replacing the banned Connor Barron in the middle and Thelo Aasgaard preferred instead of Mikey Moore in offensive positions.

Preamble

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