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The players head out amid the roar, Hampden split down the middle into blue and green. For the opportunity to meet St Mirren FC here in December … it all kicks off.

Other Football

More matches: John Brewin offers real-time commentary for West Ham vs Newcastle in the EPL; Yara El-Shaboury has all the latest from the initial games in the women's top division.

Regarding our coverage, there's just over five minutes until kick-off at Hampden Park!

Match Officials

Nick Walsh will referee today. He also refereed the 2024 Scottish Cup final involving Celtic and Rangers plus a European fixture last season during which he issued four red cards and twelve cautions. Steer clear of confrontation.

Coaching Perspectives

The Rangers manager: Although this marks his initial Old Firm, the fresh-faced gaffer has stated clearly this week that he's familiar with taking part in other significant derbies in his coaching career, with Bayern Munich and with Sheffield Wednesday.

I recall during Hansi Flick's appointment, our following match was versus Dortmund at home. We secured a 4-0 victory. It always provides a lift when you triumph in such matches. Furthermore, in England's second tier during the Steel City derby, I participated there too. I recognize the importance among the followers. This is more than just a game.

The German manager has been complimenting Martin O'Neill's lengthy tenure at 73.

I hold great admiration for such a coaching career. I believe it's always impressive in this profession when you work so long in this business and achieve success.

I'm merely commencing my coaching path. I have a lot of work to do to reach that level but the good thing is we begin level, separate eras and let's see what we can contribute with our teams in this fixture.

I am very excited. I've gained some experience yet I foresee an enormous event during Sunday's match. To be involved in this fixture, everything is at stake. Victory means reaching the final, you lose, you're out. I believe all factors align for a great, great game.

Opposition Manager

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

Now, repeating that performance could be very challenging, netting six times against those opponents. I would accept a scrappy single-goal triumph if we managed to secure it. Some lads come up and mention to me: 'That was a fantastic encounter', though they weren't alive then. They inform me their ancestors and parents discussed it frequently. It became a really pivotal match for our team, not merely in that term, but probably for continuing on.

The anxiety for approximately three days before, and then if you got the result, tremendous relief. And I feel that's precisely the legendary Walter Smith frequently stated similarly, that it was relief more than anything else. Yet these represented superb matches really. It's still a fantastic fixture.

This represents an important match for us. Truthfully, don't hide that reality. It's a semi-final encounter, it's an important game for us. Any Celtic-Rangers game is a big game, but particularly given the conditions of the past few days, if not weeks, certainly.

Dugout History

Two different coaches leading their teams today though there's a significant difference in Old Firm experience separating them. Danny Röhl faces his debut leading Rangers while Martin O'Neill gets ready to manage his twenty-eighth.

This match's conclusion may substantially affect on the duration O'Neill's second spell as temporary Celtic manager persists, as Ewan Murray has considered.

The club might spend five million pounds in compensation to lure Kieran McKenna from Ipswich. They may attempt a more significant chance on Robbie Keane. The reigning champions could decide to provide Club Brugge's Nicky Hayen an initial experience in British football. These constitute chances to varying degrees. 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 is also omitted of the XI that overcame Falkirk in their recent match.

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 is selected over Max Aarons in the right flank position, with Mohamed Diomande coming in taking Connor Barron's suspended place in central areas with Thelo Aasgaard favored over Mikey Moore in attack.

Preamble

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