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The teams emerge to a thunderous reception, Hampden Park split down the middle into blue and green. For the opportunity to face St Mirren FC at this venue this December … the action begins.

Other Football

More matches: John Brewin is on our minute-by-minute coverage for West Ham v Newcastle in the Premier League; Yara El-Shaboury brings the newest developments from the initial games in the WSL.

Regarding our coverage, we're only five minutes away until kick-off at Hampden!

Officiating Team

Nick Walsh will referee this afternoon. He also refereed the 2024 Scottish Cup final involving Celtic and Rangers and a continental game last season when he distributed four red cards and twelve cautions. Steer clear of confrontation.

Coaching Perspectives

The Rangers manager: Despite this being his debut in this fixture, the fresh-faced gaffer has emphasized in recent days that he's used to being involved in other significant derbies in his coaching career, at Bayern Munich and Sheffield Wednesday.

I can remember during Hansi Flick's appointment, our following match took place against Dortmund at our stadium. We triumphed 4-0. It is always a booster following success in these encounters. Furthermore, in the EFL Championship in the Steel derby, I was involved in that as well. I know what it means to the supporters. This represents more than a simple match.

The 36-year-old German has been complimenting Martin O'Neill's lengthy tenure at 73.

I have tremendous respect for such a managerial journey. I think it is always great in this profession when you work so long in this field and accomplish your objectives.

I am just at the beginning my professional journey. I have substantial work ahead to come to this point but the good thing is we commence evenly matched, different generations and let's see what we can bring through our squads in this fixture.

I'm incredibly enthusiastic. I've accumulated certain experiences but I expect a massive occasion this Sunday. To participate in such a match, everything is at stake. You win, you go into the final, a loss ends your participation. I feel all elements converge for an outstanding match.

Opposition Manager

Martin O'Neill: The stand-in manager has this week been reminiscing concerning his debut match versus their rivals a quarter-century ago, the memorable 6-2 victory.

Certainly, matching that achievement might be extremely difficult, putting six past them against that side. I would accept a really lousy 1-0 victory if we managed to secure it. Some lads come up and inform me: 'That was an amazing match', and they weren't even born. They relate to me their ancestors and parents were talking about it. It transformed into a crucial game for our club, not merely in that term, but possibly for sustained development.

The tension for nearly 72 hours before, and then if you got the result, tremendous relief. And I feel that's precisely the great Walter Smith often mentioned too, that comfort surpassed other feelings. But they were fantastic fixtures genuinely. It continues to be a superb rivalry.

This represents an important match for our team. Truthfully, don't hide that reality. It's a last-four clash, it's a big match for our side. Each encounter between these rivals is a big game, but particularly given the situation of recent times, possibly even months, definitely.

Dugout History

Two new managers on the sidelines this afternoon yet there's a substantial disparity in Old Firm experience separating them. Danny Röhl encounters his inaugural leading Rangers while Martin O'Neill is about to take charge his 28th such match.

This match's conclusion might significantly influence regarding the tenure O'Neill's return as (interim, for now) Celtic boss lasts, as Ewan Murray has considered.

The club might spend £5m in compensation to coax Kieran McKenna from Ipswich Town. They could take a more significant chance involving Robbie Keane. The reigning champions may opt to give Nicky Hayen from Club Brugge an initial experience in British football. These constitute chances in different manners. Beyond 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 begins preferred to Kieran Tierney in the left-back position. James Forrest also drops out from the first team that overcame 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 receives preference instead of Max Aarons on the right side, including Mohamed Diomande taking Connor Barron's suspended place in the middle and Thelo Aasgaard chosen instead of Mikey Moore in forward roles.

Opening Context

Good afternoon and welcome to this derby match. It's got to be better {than last time|compared to the previous meeting|versus