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The teams emerge into the noise, Hampden divided in two between blue and green. To earn the chance to face St Mirren here in December … it all kicks off.

Other Football

More matches: John Brewin provides live updates for West Ham v Newcastle in the Premier League; Yara El-Shaboury delivers fresh updates from the initial games in the Women's Super League.

As for us, approximately five minutes remain before the start at Hampden!

Referee Information

Nick Walsh is the man in the middle today. He also refereed the 2024 Scottish Cup final between Celtic and Rangers and a continental game the previous campaign during which he issued four dismissals and 12 yellows. Avoid challenging him.

Dugout Views

The German coach: Although this marks his initial Old Firm, the fresh-faced gaffer has emphasized recently that he's used to being involved in other significant derbies during his managerial journey, at Bayern Munich plus his stint at Wednesday.

I can remember during Hansi Flick's appointment, our second game was versus Dortmund at home. We secured a 4-0 victory. It always provides a lift if you win such a game. Additionally, in the Championship in the Sheffield derby, I was involved in that as well. I recognize the importance to the supporters. 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 hold great admiration for such a managerial journey. I believe it's always impressive as a manager when you work so long in this industry and you are successful.

I'm merely commencing my coaching path. There's much work remaining to come to this point but the good thing is we begin level, distinct coaching generations and we'll observe what we can bring through our squads 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, the stakes are extremely high. You win, you go into the final, defeat means elimination. I feel all elements converge for an outstanding match.

Opposition Manager

The Celtic manager: The stand-in manager has recently been recalling concerning his debut match versus their rivals a quarter-century ago, the 6-2 'Demolition Derby'.

Now, repeating that performance could be very challenging, scoring six goals against those opponents. I would take a scrappy single-goal triumph if we managed to secure it. Some lads come up and mention to me: 'That was a fantastic encounter', though they weren't alive then. They tell me their family members spoke about it regularly. It transformed into a crucial game for our team, not only during that campaign, but probably for continuing on.

The tension for nearly 72 hours before, and subsequently if you achieved victory, tremendous relief. And I feel that's precisely the legendary Walter Smith frequently stated similarly, that comfort surpassed other feelings. Yet these represented superb matches really. It continues to be a superb rivalry.

This is a big game for our club. Honestly, don't conceal that fact. It's a semi-final encounter, it's an important game for our side. Each encounter between these rivals is a big game, though especially considering the situation of recent times, possibly even months, definitely.

Coaching Background

Two new managers in the dugouts today though there's a significant difference in Old Firm experience separating them. Danny Röhl encounters his inaugural leading Rangers whereas Martin O'Neill prepares to oversee of his 28th.

The outcome today could have a major impact on the duration O'Neill's return as stand-in Celtic coach persists, as Ewan Murray has been pondering.

The club might spend £5m in compensation to persuade Kieran McKenna from Ipswich. They could take an even bigger gamble on Robbie Keane. The reigning champions might choose to offer Club Brugge's Nicky Hayen a debut opportunity in 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.

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

Marcelo Sarrachi features instead of Kieran Tierney in the left-back position. James Forrest is additionally excluded from the first team that defeated Falkirk during the week.

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, featuring Mohamed Diomande replacing the banned Connor Barron in the middle with Thelo Aasgaard favored to Mikey Moore in forward roles.

Match Preview

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