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The teams emerge into the noise, Hampden Park split down the middle with blue and green sections. For the right to play St Mirren in this stadium in December … here we go.

Additional Fixtures

More matches: John Brewin offers real-time commentary for the West Ham-Newcastle clash in the Premier League; 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!

Officiating Team

Nick Walsh takes charge this match. He previously officiated the 2024 cup final between Celtic and Rangers and a continental game the previous campaign when he distributed four red cards and a dozen bookings. Don't cross him.

Manager Insights

The German coach: Although this marks his initial Old Firm, the fresh-faced gaffer has stated clearly this week that he's used to participating in other significant derbies during his managerial journey, during his time at Bayern and Sheffield Wednesday.

I can remember during Hansi Flick's appointment, our second game was versus Dortmund at home. We secured a 4-0 victory. It is always a booster if you win such a game. As well, in the Championship in the Steel derby, I was involved in that as well. I recognize the importance among the followers. This represents more than a simple match.

The 36-year-old German has also been lauding the enduring career of 73-year-old Martin O'Neill.

I have tremendous respect for such a coaching career. I consider it consistently remarkable for a coach when you sustain your career over decades in this field and you are successful.

I am just at the beginning my professional journey. I have a lot of work to do to come to this point but the good thing is we begin level, distinct coaching generations and let's see what we can bring via our selections in this fixture.

I'm incredibly enthusiastic. I've gained some experience but I expect an enormous event this Sunday. To be part of such a game, everything is at stake. Success secures a final place, a loss ends your participation. I feel all elements converge for a great, great game.

Counterpart Perspective

The experienced boss: The temporary Celtic boss has been reflecting this week concerning his debut match with Rangers a quarter-century ago, the memorable 6-2 victory.

Certainly, matching that achievement might be extremely difficult, scoring six goals versus that team. I'd settle for a really lousy 1-0 victory if we managed to secure it. Certain supporters approach and inform me: 'That was an amazing match', though they weren't alive then. They relate to me their family members were talking about it. It transformed into a crucial game for our club, not merely in that term, but likely for future progress.

The nervousness for about 72 hours beforehand, and then should you secure success, significant comfort. And I believe that's exactly the great Walter Smith often mentioned too, that relief outweighed other emotions. However these were magnificent contests truly. It continues to be a superb rivalry.

This represents an important match for us. Honestly, don't conceal that fact. It's a last-four clash, it's a big match for our side. Each encounter between these rivals is a big game, though especially considering the conditions of recent times, if not recent weeks, certainly.

Dugout History

Two fresh managers leading their teams today though there's a significant difference in Old Firm experience between them. Danny Röhl encounters his inaugural as Rangers manager while Martin O'Neill gets ready to manage his twenty-eighth.

Today's result could have a major impact on how long O'Neill's comeback as stand-in Celtic coach continues, as Ewan Murray has been pondering.

They could potentially invest substantial compensation to lure Kieran McKenna away from Ipswich. They may attempt an even bigger gamble on Robbie Keane. The Scottish champions could decide to provide Club Brugge's Nicky Hayen an initial experience in British football. These are all gambles in different manners. Beyond O'Neill? This is debatable.

First XIs

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 starts preferred to Kieran Tierney in the left-back position. James Forrest is also omitted from the starting lineup that beat Falkirk in midweek.

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, with Mohamed Diomande coming in replacing the banned Connor Barron in central areas and Thelo Aasgaard preferred instead of Mikey Moore in attack.

Opening Context

Greetings and welcome to this derby match. It should be improved {than last time|compared to the previous meeting|versus