🔗 Share this article

Match Coverage

The teams emerge into the noise, Hampden Park divided in two with blue and green sections. To earn the chance to play St Mirren here next month … it all kicks off.

Other Matches

More matches: John Brewin provides live updates for West Ham vs Newcastle in the Premier League; Yara El-Shaboury delivers fresh updates from the day's opening matches in the WSL.

As for us, we're only five minutes away until kick-off at the national stadium!

Officiating Team

Nick Walsh will referee this match. He was also the referee for last year's Scottish Cup final between Celtic and Rangers and a continental game the previous campaign when he distributed four red cards and twelve cautions. Avoid challenging him.

Dugout Views

The German coach: Although this marks his initial Old Firm, the fresh-faced gaffer has made it clear in recent days that he's used to taking part in other major rivalries during his managerial journey, during his time at Bayern and with Sheffield Wednesday.

I recollect when Hansi Flick assumed control, our second game took place against Dortmund at our stadium. We secured a 4-0 victory. It is always a booster when you triumph in such matches. Additionally, in England's second tier in the Steel derby, I was involved in that as well. I know what it means among the followers. This is more than just a game.

The young coach has been praising 73-year-old Martin O'Neill's longevity.

I hold great admiration for such a managerial journey. I consider it consistently remarkable in this profession when you remain active for so many years in this field and achieve success.

I'm only starting out of my career. I have substantial work ahead to achieve similar status however the positive aspect we begin level, separate eras and let's see what we can contribute through our squads in this fixture.

I'm incredibly enthusiastic. I've accumulated certain experiences though I anticipate a big, big one during Sunday's match. To participate in such a match, everything is at stake. You win, you go into the final, you lose, you're out. I think everything is on for a magnificent contest.

Opposition Manager

The Celtic manager: The Celtic interim manager has recently been recalling about his first meeting against Rangers a quarter-century ago, the memorable 6-2 victory.

Well, replicating that might be extremely difficult, netting six times against that side. I would take a really lousy 1-0 victory should we achieve it. Various individuals tell me and inform me: 'That was a fantastic encounter', and they weren't even born. They relate to me their family members spoke about it regularly. It transformed into a crucial game for us, not just that season, but possibly for sustained development.

The tension for nearly 72 hours before, and then should you secure success, tremendous relief. And I believe that's exactly the legendary Walter Smith used to say about it as well, that relief outweighed other emotions. However these were magnificent contests genuinely. It continues to be a superb rivalry.

This constitutes a significant fixture for us. Truthfully, don't hide that reality. It's a semi-final encounter, it's a big match for us. Any Celtic-Rangers game constitutes a significant occasion, though especially considering the circumstances of the past few days, if not weeks, definitely.

Dugout History

Two new managers on the sidelines this afternoon though there's a significant difference in derby experience separating them. Danny Röhl is experiencing his first as Rangers manager while Martin O'Neill gets ready to manage his twenty-eighth.

Today's result might significantly influence regarding the tenure O'Neill's comeback as stand-in Celtic coach continues, as Ewan Murray has reflected.

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 title holders might choose to offer Club Brugge manager Nicky Hayen a debut opportunity within British soccer. These are all gambles in different manners. More than O'Neill? This is arguable.

Starting Lineups

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 instead of Kieran Tierney in the left-back position. James Forrest is also omitted from the first team that beat Falkirk in their recent match.

Rangers FC (3-4-3): Butland; Djiga, Souttar, Cornelius; Tavernier, Diomande, Raskin, Meghoma; Aasgaard, Chermiti, Danilo.

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

James Tavernier is selected ahead of Max Aarons on the right, including Mohamed Diomande taking Connor Barron's suspended place in the middle and Thelo Aasgaard preferred instead of Mikey Moore in offensive positions.

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