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Match Coverage

The squads take the field into the noise, Hampden divided in two between blue and green. For the right to meet St Mirren FC here in December … here we go.

Other Matches

More matches: 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 initial games in the Women's Super League.

Turning to this match, approximately five minutes remain before the start at the national stadium!

Officiating Team

Nick Walsh takes charge this match. He previously officiated the 2024 Scottish Cup final involving Celtic and Rangers and a Europa League match last season during which he issued four red cards and 12 yellows. Avoid challenging him.

Coaching Perspectives

The German coach: While this is his first Old Firm, the fresh-faced gaffer has emphasized this week that he's familiar with participating in other significant derbies as a coach, at Bayern Munich and with Sheffield Wednesday.

I can remember during Hansi Flick's appointment, our subsequent fixture was at home against Dortmund. We secured a 4-0 victory. It consistently offers motivation following success in these encounters. As well, in the Championship in the Steel derby, I participated there too. I recognize the importance for the fans. This transcends ordinary football.

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

I hold great admiration for such a managerial journey. I think it is always great for a coach when you remain active for so many years in this business and achieve success.

I am just at the beginning my coaching path. I have a lot of work to do to reach that level though the encouraging factor we begin level, different generations and we'll discover what we can contribute with our teams in this fixture.

I'm incredibly enthusiastic. I've gained some experience but I expect an enormous event on Sunday. To participate in such a match, it's all or nothing. Success secures a final place, you lose, you're out. I think everything is on for a great, great game.

Opposition Manager

Martin O'Neill: The Celtic interim manager has this week been reminiscing regarding his initial encounter against Rangers two and a half decades past, the 6-2 'Demolition Derby'.

Well, replicating that could be very challenging, putting six past them versus that team. I'd settle for a really lousy 1-0 victory should we achieve it. Certain supporters approach and say to me: 'That was an amazing match', despite not being born at the time. They relate to me their family members spoke about it regularly. It became a really pivotal match for us, not only during that campaign, but probably for continuing on.

The tension for nearly 72 hours prior to the match, and then if you got the result, a great relief. And I think that's what the renowned Walter Smith frequently stated similarly, that relief outweighed other emotions. But they were fantastic fixtures really. It's still a fantastic fixture.

This constitutes a significant fixture for us. Truthfully, don't hide that reality. It's a semi-final encounter, it's an important game for our side. Every Old Firm match constitutes a significant occasion, though especially considering the situation of the past few days, if not recent weeks, definitely.

Coaching Background

Two different coaches in the dugouts today but there's a big gap in rivalry knowledge between them. Danny Röhl faces his debut as the Rangers boss while Martin O'Neill is about to take charge his 28th such match.

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

Celtic could pay £5m in compensation to lure Kieran McKenna from Ipswich Town. They could take a more significant chance involving Robbie Keane. The title holders might choose to offer Club Brugge manager Nicky Hayen a debut opportunity of British football. These constitute chances in their own way. Beyond O'Neill? This remains questionable.

Team Selections

Celtic FC (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 features instead of Kieran Tierney in the left-back position. James Forrest also drops out from the first team that defeated Falkirk in their recent match.

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 ahead of Max Aarons in the right flank position, featuring Mohamed Diomande taking Connor Barron's suspended place in midfield and Thelo Aasgaard chosen over Mikey Moore in offensive positions.

Match Preview

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