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The players head out to a thunderous reception, Hampden Park separated evenly with blue and green sections. For the right to face St Mirren at this venue in December … here we go.

Other Football

Additional games: John Brewin offers real-time commentary for West Ham v Newcastle in the Premier League; Yara El-Shaboury brings the newest developments from the initial games in the WSL.

Turning to this match, there's just over five minutes before the start at the national stadium!

Officiating Team

Nick Walsh is the man in the middle this match. He also refereed the 2024 cup final featuring these two rivals and a continental game the previous campaign when he distributed four sending-offs and 12 yellows. Avoid challenging him.

Coaching Perspectives

The German coach: While this is his first Old Firm, the new Rangers manager has emphasized this week that he's familiar with taking part in other major rivalries during his managerial journey, at Bayern Munich plus his stint at Wednesday.

I can remember during Hansi Flick's appointment, our subsequent fixture took place against Dortmund at our stadium. We secured a 4-0 victory. It consistently offers motivation following success in these encounters. Furthermore, in the Championship in the Sheffield derby, I was involved in that as well. I understand the significance among the followers. This represents more than a simple match.

The 36-year-old German has also been lauding 73-year-old Martin O'Neill's longevity.

I have tremendous respect for such a managerial journey. I consider it consistently remarkable for a coach when you remain active for so many years in this field and achieve success.

I'm only starting out of my career. There's much work remaining to come to this point however the positive aspect we begin level, different generations and we'll observe what we can bring through our squads in this game.

I'm incredibly enthusiastic. I've accumulated certain experiences though I anticipate a big, big one on Sunday. To be part of such a game, it's all or nothing. Success secures a final place, defeat means elimination. I believe all factors align for a great, great game.

Rival Coach

The experienced boss: The temporary Celtic boss has recently been recalling about his first meeting with Rangers a quarter-century ago, the 6-2 'Demolition Derby'.

Now, repeating that performance may prove quite arduous, scoring six goals versus that team. I would accept a really lousy 1-0 victory should we achieve it. Some lads come up and mention to me: 'That was a fantastic encounter', and they weren't even born. They relate to me their grandfathers and fathers were talking about it. It evolved into a decisive encounter for our club, not merely in that term, but likely for future progress.

The anxiety for approximately three days before, and then if you got the result, significant comfort. And I think that's what the renowned Walter Smith used to say about it as well, that comfort surpassed other feelings. However these were magnificent contests really. It remains a wonderful encounter.

This is a big game for our team. Really, don't disguise that at all. It's a last-four clash, it's an important game for our squad. Every Old Firm match represents a major event, though especially considering the conditions of recent times, possibly even months, absolutely.

Managerial Experience

Two different coaches leading their teams today yet there's a substantial disparity in Old Firm experience between them. Danny Röhl faces his debut as the Rangers boss while Martin O'Neill gets ready to manage of his 28th.

The outcome today may substantially affect on how long O'Neill's return as temporary Celtic manager continues, as Ewan Murray has been pondering.

Celtic could pay substantial compensation to coax Kieran McKenna from Ipswich Town. They could take a larger risk on Robbie Keane. The reigning champions might choose to offer Club Brugge manager Nicky Hayen an initial experience of British football. These represent risks in different manners. More than O'Neill? This is debatable.

Starting Lineups

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 preferred to Kieran Tierney in the left-back position. James Forrest also drops out of the XI that overcame Falkirk during the week.

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 is selected over Max Aarons on the right, including Mohamed Diomande for the suspended Connor Barron in the middle and Thelo Aasgaard preferred instead of Mikey Moore in attack.

Opening Context

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