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Match Coverage

The squads take the field into the noise, Hampden Park separated evenly into blue and green. For the opportunity to meet St Mirren at this venue this December … here we go.

Additional Fixtures

Additional games: John Brewin provides live updates for the West Ham-Newcastle clash in the EPL; Yara El-Shaboury has all the latest from the early kick-offs in the Women's Super League.

Regarding our coverage, we're only five minutes away before the game begins at the national stadium!

Referee Information

Nick Walsh is the man in the middle this afternoon. He was also the referee for the 2024 cup final between Celtic and Rangers plus a European fixture in the last term when he distributed four dismissals and a dozen bookings. Steer clear of confrontation.

Dugout Views

Danny Röhl: Although this marks his initial Old Firm, the fresh-faced gaffer has made it clear recently that he's accustomed to being involved in other important local clashes in his coaching career, with Bayern Munich and Sheffield Wednesday.

I recollect when Hansi Flick took over, our subsequent fixture took place against Dortmund at our stadium. We won 4-0. It is always a booster if you win such a game. Furthermore, in the EFL Championship in the Sheffield derby, I was also part [of it] there. I understand the significance to the supporters. This is more than just a game.

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

I feel a big respect for that type of coaching legacy. I think it is always great for a coach when you remain active for so many years in this business and accomplish your objectives.

I'm only starting out of my career. There's much work remaining to achieve similar status though the encouraging factor we start at 0-0, different generations and we'll observe what we can demonstrate through our squads in this encounter.

I'm incredibly enthusiastic. I have had some experience but I expect an enormous event on Sunday. To be involved in this fixture, everything is at stake. Victory means reaching the final, defeat means elimination. I believe all factors align for an outstanding match.

Counterpart Perspective

Martin O'Neill: The stand-in manager has this week been reminiscing concerning his debut match with Rangers a quarter-century ago, the 6-2 'Demolition Derby'.

Certainly, matching that achievement might be extremely difficult, scoring six goals versus that team. I would accept a really lousy 1-0 victory should we achieve it. Various individuals tell me and say to me: 'That was a great game', though they weren't alive then. They inform me their family members discussed it frequently. It transformed into a crucial game for our club, not only during that campaign, but likely for future progress.

The anxiety for approximately three days before, and then should you secure success, tremendous relief. And I think that's what the great Walter Smith frequently stated similarly, that relief outweighed other emotions. Yet these represented superb matches genuinely. It's still a fantastic fixture.

This is a big game for our team. Truthfully, don't hide that reality. It's a last-four clash, it's a big match for our squad. Any Celtic-Rangers game is a big game, though especially considering the conditions of the past few days, if not recent weeks, definitely.

Coaching Background

Two different coaches leading their teams today yet there's a substantial disparity in Old Firm experience between them. Danny Röhl encounters his inaugural as Rangers manager while Martin O'Neill gets ready to manage his 28th such match.

Today's result might significantly influence on how long O'Neill's return as stand-in Celtic coach persists, as Ewan Murray has considered.

They could potentially invest £5m in compensation to lure Kieran McKenna from Ipswich. They may attempt a larger risk with Robbie Keane. The reigning champions may opt to give Nicky Hayen from Club Brugge a first taste of British football. These are all gambles in different manners. More than O'Neill? This is arguable.

Team Selections

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 begins ahead of Kieran Tierney at left-back. James Forrest is additionally excluded from the first team that overcame 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 instead of Max Aarons on the right side, with Mohamed Diomande coming in replacing the banned Connor Barron in the middle and Thelo Aasgaard chosen over Mikey Moore in forward roles.

Match Preview

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