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The teams emerge into the noise, Hampden Park separated evenly between blue and green. For the right to face St Mirren FC here this December … here we go.

Other Football

Other football: John Brewin is on our minute-by-minute coverage for West Ham v Newcastle in the EPL; Yara El-Shaboury delivers fresh updates from the day's opening matches in the women's top division.

Turning to this match, approximately five minutes remain until kick-off at the national stadium!

Referee Information

Nick Walsh is the man in the middle today. He was also the referee for the 2024 cup final between Celtic and Rangers and a Europa League match the previous campaign when he distributed four sending-offs and twelve cautions. Avoid challenging him.

Manager Insights

The Rangers manager: While this is his first Old Firm, the fresh-faced gaffer has stated clearly this week that he's used to taking part in other important local clashes in his coaching career, at Bayern Munich and Sheffield Wednesday.

I recall when Hansi Flick assumed control, our second game was versus Dortmund at home. We triumphed 4-0. It consistently offers motivation following success in these encounters. As well, in the Championship in the Steel derby, I participated there too. I understand the significance among the followers. This is more than just a game.

The young coach has been complimenting the enduring career of 73-year-old Martin O'Neill.

I feel a big respect for such a coaching career. I believe it's always impressive in this profession when you work so long in this field and achieve success.

I am just at the beginning my professional journey. I have substantial work ahead to achieve similar status though the encouraging factor we begin level, distinct coaching generations and we'll observe what we can demonstrate with our teams in this encounter.

I am very excited. I've gained some experience but I expect an enormous event 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.

Rival Coach

Martin O'Neill: The stand-in manager has recently been recalling concerning his debut match against Rangers a quarter-century ago, the memorable 6-2 victory.

Well, replicating that could be very challenging, scoring six goals versus that team. I would take a really lousy 1-0 victory if we managed to secure it. Certain supporters approach and inform me: 'That was an amazing match', and they weren't even born. They tell me their family members discussed it frequently. 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, significant comfort. And I think that's what the renowned Walter Smith frequently stated similarly, that relief outweighed other emotions. However these were magnificent contests truly. It's still a fantastic fixture.

This is a big game for our team. Really, don't disguise that at all. It's a semi-final, it's an important game for our squad. Every Old Firm match represents a major event, but particularly given the circumstances of the past few days, possibly even months, absolutely.

Managerial Experience

Two new managers on the sidelines this afternoon but there's a big gap in rivalry knowledge among them. Danny Röhl encounters his inaugural leading Rangers whereas Martin O'Neill prepares to oversee his 28th such match.

This match's conclusion may substantially affect on the duration O'Neill's return as stand-in Celtic coach persists, as Ewan Murray has reflected.

They could potentially invest substantial compensation to lure Kieran McKenna from Ipswich Town. They could take a larger risk involving Robbie Keane. The title holders might choose to offer Club Brugge's Nicky Hayen a first taste of British football. These represent risks in different manners. Even more than O'Neill? This is debatable.

Starting Lineups

Celtic (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 ahead 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.

Subs: Kelly, Aarons, Fernández, Rothwell, Antman, Moore, Gassama, Curtis, Miovski.

James Tavernier gets the nod over Max Aarons on the right, featuring Mohamed Diomande taking Connor Barron's suspended place in midfield and Thelo Aasgaard preferred instead of Mikey Moore in forward roles.

Opening Context

Good afternoon and welcome to this Old Firm clash. It should be improved {than last time|compared to the previous meeting|versus