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The players head out into the noise, Hampden Park split down the middle into blue and green. For the opportunity to play St Mirren FC at this venue next month … here we go.

Other Matches

More matches: John Brewin provides live updates for West Ham vs Newcastle in the Premier League; Yara El-Shaboury brings the newest developments from the early kick-offs in the women's top division.

Turning to this match, there's just over five minutes until kick-off at the national stadium!

Referee Information

Nick Walsh is the man in the middle today. He also refereed the 2024 Scottish Cup final featuring these two rivals and a Europa League match the previous campaign during which he issued four red cards and twelve cautions. Avoid challenging him.

Dugout Views

The German coach: Despite this being his debut in this fixture, the fresh-faced gaffer has made it clear recently that he's used to taking part in other significant derbies in his coaching career, during his time at Bayern plus his stint at Wednesday.

I recall when Hansi Flick assumed control, our subsequent fixture took place against Dortmund at our stadium. We secured a 4-0 victory. It is always a booster when you triumph in such matches. Furthermore, in the Championship during the Steel City derby, I was involved in that as well. I know what it means for the fans. This is more than just a game.

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

I have tremendous respect for such a managerial journey. I think it is always great in this profession when you remain active for so many years in this industry and accomplish your objectives.

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 observe what we can demonstrate with our teams in this game.

I'm incredibly enthusiastic. I have had some experience though I anticipate a big, big one this Sunday. To be involved in this fixture, everything is at stake. Success secures a final place, defeat means elimination. I feel all elements converge for a magnificent contest.

Counterpart Perspective

The experienced boss: The temporary Celtic boss has this week been reminiscing concerning his debut match against Rangers a quarter-century ago, the 6-2 'Demolition Derby'.

Certainly, matching that achievement might be extremely difficult, netting six times against those opponents. I would take a really lousy 1-0 victory if we managed to secure it. Various individuals tell me and say to me: 'That was a fantastic encounter', despite not being born at the time. They inform me their family members were talking about it. It became a really pivotal match for our club, not just that season, but possibly for sustained development.

The tension for nearly 72 hours prior to the match, and then should you secure success, a great relief. And I think that's what the great Walter Smith used to say about it as well, that comfort surpassed other feelings. Yet these represented superb matches really. It remains a wonderful encounter.

This represents an important match for us. Honestly, don't conceal that fact. It's a last-four clash, it's a crucial contest for our squad. Each encounter between these rivals represents a major event, but particularly given the conditions of the past few days, if not recent weeks, definitely.

Managerial Experience

Two different coaches leading their teams today but there's a big gap in rivalry knowledge separating them. Danny Röhl is experiencing his first as Rangers manager whereas Martin O'Neill prepares to oversee his 28th such match.

Today's result could have a major impact regarding the tenure O'Neill's comeback as stand-in Celtic coach lasts, as Ewan Murray has been pondering.

The club might spend five million pounds in compensation to lure Kieran McKenna away from Ipswich. They could take a more significant chance on Robbie Keane. The title holders might choose to offer Club Brugge's Nicky Hayen an initial experience within British soccer. These represent risks in their own way. Even more than O'Neill? This is arguable.

Team Selections

Celtic FC (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 preferred to Kieran Tierney on the left defensive flank. James Forrest is also omitted of the XI that defeated Falkirk in their recent match.

Rangers FC (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 ahead of Max Aarons on the right side, featuring Mohamed Diomande for the suspended Connor Barron in central areas and Thelo Aasgaard chosen to Mikey Moore in attack.

Preamble

Greetings and welcome to the Old Firm. It ought to be superior {than last time|compared to the previous meeting|versus