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The squads take the field amid the roar, Hampden divided in two with blue and green sections. For the right to face St Mirren at this venue in December … here we go.

Other Matches

Other football: John Brewin offers real-time commentary for West Ham vs Newcastle in England's top flight; Yara El-Shaboury delivers fresh updates from the early kick-offs in the women's top division.

Regarding our coverage, we're only five minutes away before the game begins at the national stadium!

Officiating Team

Nick Walsh will referee today. He was also the referee for the 2024 cup final involving Celtic and Rangers plus a European fixture in the last term when he distributed four red cards and twelve cautions. Steer clear of confrontation.

Dugout Views

The German coach: Although this marks his initial Old Firm, the new Rangers manager has emphasized this week that he's accustomed to being involved in other important local clashes as a coach, during his time at Bayern and with Sheffield Wednesday.

I recollect during Hansi Flick's appointment, our second game was versus Dortmund at home. We won 4-0. It always provides a lift if you win such a game. Furthermore, in the EFL Championship in the Sheffield derby, I was involved in that as well. I recognize the importance for the fans. This represents more than a simple match.

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

I feel a big respect for such a coaching career. I think it is always great for a coach when you work so long in this industry and achieve success.

I am just at the beginning my professional journey. I have substantial work ahead to achieve similar status however the positive aspect we begin level, separate eras and we'll discover what we can bring with our teams in this encounter.

I am very excited. I've gained some experience but I expect a big, big one this Sunday. To participate in such a match, it's all or nothing. Victory means reaching the final, you lose, you're out. I believe all factors align for a magnificent contest.

Opposition Manager

The Celtic manager: The stand-in manager has this week been reminiscing regarding his initial encounter versus their rivals a quarter-century ago, the famous 6-2 demolition.

Well, replicating that may prove quite arduous, scoring six goals versus that team. I would take an unattractive 1-0 win should we achieve it. Some lads come up and say to me: 'That was an amazing match', though they weren't alive then. They relate to me their grandfathers and fathers discussed it frequently. It transformed into a crucial game for us, not merely in that term, 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 legendary Walter Smith used to say about it as well, that comfort surpassed other feelings. However these were magnificent contests truly. It's still a fantastic fixture.

This constitutes a significant fixture for us. Honestly, don't conceal that fact. It's a last-four clash, it's a crucial contest for us. Each encounter between these rivals is a big game, but particularly given the circumstances of recent times, if not weeks, definitely.

Dugout History

Two fresh managers on the sidelines this afternoon but there's a big gap in derby experience among them. Danny Röhl encounters his inaugural leading Rangers while Martin O'Neill is about to take charge his twenty-eighth.

Today's result could have a major impact regarding the tenure O'Neill's comeback as stand-in Celtic coach continues, as Ewan Murray has reflected.

They could potentially invest substantial compensation to coax Kieran McKenna away from Ipswich. They might consider a larger risk involving Robbie Keane. The title holders may opt to give Nicky Hayen from Club Brugge a debut opportunity within British soccer. These are all gambles to varying degrees. Even more than O'Neill? This remains questionable.

Team Selections

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 ahead of Kieran Tierney at left-back. James Forrest is additionally excluded of the XI that overcame Falkirk during the week.

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

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

James Tavernier receives preference ahead of Max Aarons on the right, with Mohamed Diomande coming in replacing the banned Connor Barron in central areas with Thelo Aasgaard favored to Mikey Moore in forward roles.

Preamble

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