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The players head out amid the roar, Hampden divided in two with blue and green sections. For the right to play St Mirren FC here this 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 brings the newest developments from the early kick-offs in the women's top division.

Turning to this match, we're only five minutes away before the start at the national stadium!

Match Officials

Nick Walsh will referee today. He also refereed the 2024 cup final featuring these two rivals plus a European fixture in the last term during which he issued four dismissals and a dozen bookings. Steer clear of confrontation.

Manager Insights

The German coach: Despite this being his debut in this fixture, the new Rangers manager has stated clearly recently that he's familiar with taking part in other major rivalries as a coach, at Bayern Munich and Sheffield Wednesday.

I can remember when Hansi Flick assumed control, our second game took place against Dortmund at our stadium. We triumphed 4-0. It always provides a lift if you win such a game. Furthermore, in the EFL Championship in the Sheffield derby, I was also part [of it] there. I understand the significance among the followers. This is more than just a game.

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

I hold great admiration for that type of coaching legacy. I think it is always great in this profession when you work so long in this industry and achieve success.

I'm merely commencing my coaching path. I have a lot of work to do to reach that level though the encouraging factor we start at 0-0, separate eras and let's see what we can contribute with our teams in this game.

I'm incredibly enthusiastic. I've gained some experience though I anticipate a massive occasion this Sunday. To participate in such a match, it's all or nothing. Victory means reaching the final, a loss ends your participation. I believe all factors align for a great, great game.

Counterpart Perspective

Martin O'Neill: The temporary Celtic boss has recently been recalling concerning his debut match versus their rivals two and a half decades past, the memorable 6-2 victory.

Now, repeating that performance might be extremely difficult, netting six times versus that team. I would accept a really lousy 1-0 victory if we could get it. Various individuals tell me and inform me: 'That was a fantastic encounter', despite not being born at the time. They inform me their family members were talking about it. It transformed into a crucial game for our team, not only during that campaign, but possibly for sustained development.

The anxiety for approximately three days prior to the match, and subsequently if you achieved victory, tremendous relief. And I think that's what the great Walter Smith used to say about it as well, that relief outweighed other emotions. However these were magnificent contests genuinely. It's still a fantastic fixture.

This represents an important match for our club. Really, don't disguise that at all. It's a semi-final, it's a big match for our side. Any Celtic-Rangers game is a big game, though especially considering the conditions of the past few days, possibly even months, definitely.

Coaching Background

Two new managers in the dugouts today yet there's a substantial disparity in rivalry knowledge separating them. Danny Röhl faces his debut as Rangers manager whereas Martin O'Neill prepares to oversee his twenty-eighth.

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

Celtic could pay five million pounds in compensation to lure Kieran McKenna from Ipswich. They might consider an even bigger gamble on Robbie Keane. The Scottish champions could decide to provide Nicky Hayen from Club Brugge an initial experience in British football. These constitute chances to varying degrees. Beyond 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 instead of Kieran Tierney on the left defensive flank. James Forrest also drops out from the starting lineup that overcame Falkirk during the week.

Rangers FC (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 gets the nod ahead of Max Aarons on the right side, with Mohamed Diomande coming in taking Connor Barron's suspended place in central areas and Thelo Aasgaard preferred to Mikey Moore in offensive positions.

Preamble

Greetings and welcome to this Old Firm clash. It's got to be better {than last time|compared to the previous meeting|versus