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The teams emerge amid the roar, Hampden divided in two with blue and green sections. To earn the chance to meet St Mirren FC here this December … here we go.

Other Matches

Other football: John Brewin is on our minute-by-minute coverage 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, we're only five minutes away before the start at Hampden Park!

Referee Information

Nick Walsh is the man in the middle this match. He previously officiated the 2024 Scottish Cup final between Celtic and Rangers plus a European fixture the previous campaign when he distributed four dismissals and twelve cautions. Steer clear of confrontation.

Manager Insights

Danny Röhl: While this is his first Old Firm, the new Rangers manager has stated clearly 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 following match was versus Dortmund at home. We secured a 4-0 victory. It always provides a lift if you win such a game. Furthermore, in the Championship during the Steel City 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 been praising 73-year-old Martin O'Neill's longevity.

I hold great admiration for such a managerial journey. I think it is always great as a manager when you sustain your career over decades in this industry and accomplish your objectives.

I'm only starting out of my career. There's much work remaining to reach that level but the good thing is we commence evenly matched, separate eras and we'll discover what we can contribute with our teams in this fixture.

I'm incredibly enthusiastic. I've accumulated certain experiences but I expect a big, big one on 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 experienced boss: The temporary Celtic boss has recently been recalling about his first meeting versus their rivals two and a half decades past, the memorable 6-2 victory.

Now, repeating that performance may prove quite arduous, scoring six goals versus that team. I'd settle for an unattractive 1-0 win if we could get it. Various individuals tell me and say to me: 'That was a fantastic encounter', though they weren't alive then. They relate to me their grandfathers and fathers were talking about it. It evolved into a decisive encounter for our club, not just that season, but likely for future progress.

The tension for nearly 72 hours beforehand, and then should you secure success, significant comfort. And I feel that's precisely the renowned Walter Smith used to say about it as well, that comfort surpassed other feelings. However these were magnificent contests genuinely. It remains a wonderful encounter.

This is a big game for us. Honestly, don't conceal that fact. It's a semi-final, it's an important game for our squad. Any Celtic-Rangers game constitutes a significant occasion, however specifically because of the circumstances of recent times, possibly even months, certainly.

Managerial Experience

Two different coaches in the dugouts today though there's a significant difference in Old Firm experience separating them. Danny Röhl faces his debut as Rangers manager while Martin O'Neill gets ready to manage his 28th such match.

This match's conclusion could have a major impact on how long O'Neill's second spell as stand-in Celtic coach persists, as Ewan Murray has been pondering.

They could potentially invest £5m in compensation to persuade Kieran McKenna away from Ipswich. They may attempt a more significant chance on Robbie Keane. The reigning champions might choose to offer Nicky Hayen from Club Brugge an initial experience of British football. These are all gambles to varying degrees. More than O'Neill? This is debatable.

First XIs

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 starts ahead of Kieran Tierney on the left defensive flank. James Forrest is additionally excluded of the XI that overcame Falkirk in midweek.

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 in the right flank position, with Mohamed Diomande coming in taking Connor Barron's suspended place in midfield with Thelo Aasgaard favored to Mikey Moore in attack.

Opening Context

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