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The squads take the field to a thunderous reception, Hampden Park divided in two with blue and green sections. For the opportunity to face St Mirren FC at this venue next month … the action begins.

Other Football

Additional games: John Brewin offers real-time commentary for West Ham vs Newcastle in the Premier League; Yara El-Shaboury brings the newest developments from the initial games in the Women's Super League.

Regarding our coverage, approximately five minutes remain before the game begins at the national stadium!

Officiating Team

Nick Walsh takes charge this match. He also refereed the 2024 Scottish Cup final involving Celtic and Rangers and a continental game in the last term where he showed four sending-offs and 12 yellows. Steer clear of confrontation.

Dugout Views

The Rangers manager: Despite this being his debut in this fixture, the recently appointed boss has stated clearly this week that he's used to being involved in other important local clashes as a coach, with Bayern Munich and with Sheffield Wednesday.

I can remember when Hansi Flick assumed control, our following match was at home against Dortmund. We secured a 4-0 victory. It always provides a lift if you win such a game. Furthermore, in the Championship in the Sheffield derby, I was also part [of it] there. I recognize the importance for the fans. This represents more than a simple match.

The German manager has been praising 73-year-old Martin O'Neill's longevity.

I hold great admiration for such a coaching career. I believe it's always impressive in this profession when you remain active for so many years in this business and accomplish your objectives.

I'm only starting out my coaching path. I have a lot of work to do to achieve similar status though the encouraging factor we commence evenly matched, different generations and we'll observe what we can bring via our selections in this game.

I'm incredibly enthusiastic. I have had some experience but I expect 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 an outstanding match.

Rival Coach

Martin O'Neill: The Celtic interim manager has recently been recalling concerning his debut match versus their rivals 25 years ago, the memorable 6-2 victory.

Now, repeating that performance could be very challenging, 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 inform me: 'That was a fantastic encounter', despite not being born at the time. They inform me their ancestors and parents spoke about it regularly. It became a really pivotal match for our club, not just that season, but probably for continuing on.

The tension for nearly 72 hours beforehand, and subsequently if you achieved victory, a great 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 continues to be a superb rivalry.

This constitutes a significant fixture for our team. Really, don't disguise that at all. It's a semi-final, it's a big match for us. Every Old Firm match represents a major event, though especially considering the conditions of the recent days, if not weeks, certainly.

Coaching Background

Two different coaches in the dugouts today though there's a significant difference in derby experience separating them. Danny Röhl faces his debut leading Rangers while Martin O'Neill gets ready to manage of his 28th.

The outcome today may substantially affect on the duration O'Neill's comeback as temporary Celtic manager persists, as Ewan Murray has considered.

They could potentially invest five million pounds in compensation to coax Kieran McKenna from Ipswich Town. They may attempt a more significant chance on Robbie Keane. The Scottish champions could decide to provide Nicky Hayen from Club Brugge a debut opportunity of British football. These are all gambles in different manners. Beyond O'Neill? This remains questionable.

Team Selections

Celtic (4-3-3): Schmeichel; Ralston, Trusty, Scales, Sarrachi; McGregor, Engels, Nygren; Maeda, Kenny, Tounekti.

Substitutes: Sinisalo, Balikwisha, Yang, Osmand, McCowan, Hatate, Murray, Forrest, Tierney.

Marcelo Sarrachi features ahead of Kieran Tierney on the left defensive flank. James Forrest is also omitted of the XI that beat Falkirk during the week.

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

Opening Context

Hello and welcome to this derby match. It's got to be better {than last time|compared to the previous meeting|versus