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The players head out into the noise, Hampden Park separated evenly into blue and green. For the right to meet St Mirren at this venue in December … the action begins.

Additional Fixtures

Other football: John Brewin provides live updates for the West Ham-Newcastle clash in England's top flight; Yara El-Shaboury delivers fresh updates from the day's opening matches in the WSL.

As for us, approximately five minutes remain until kick-off at the national stadium!

Referee Information

Nick Walsh will referee this match. He was also the referee for the 2024 Scottish Cup final between Celtic and Rangers and a continental game last season where he showed four sending-offs and 12 yellows. Steer clear of confrontation.

Dugout Views

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

I recollect when Hansi Flick took over, 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. Furthermore, in England's second tier during the Steel City derby, I was involved in that as well. I understand the significance to the supporters. This transcends ordinary football.

The 36-year-old German has also been lauding the enduring career of 73-year-old Martin O'Neill.

I have tremendous respect for such a managerial journey. I consider it consistently remarkable in this profession when you work so long in this industry and achieve success.

I'm only starting out of my career. There's much work remaining to reach that level but the good thing is we begin level, different generations and we'll observe what we can contribute through our squads in this fixture.

I'm incredibly enthusiastic. I've accumulated certain experiences though I anticipate a massive occasion this Sunday. To be part of such a game, everything is at stake. You win, you go into the final, you lose, you're out. I feel all elements converge for an outstanding match.

Rival Coach

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

Now, repeating that performance may prove quite arduous, scoring six goals against those opponents. I'd settle for an unattractive 1-0 win 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 grandfathers and fathers discussed it frequently. It became a really pivotal match for our club, not just that season, but possibly for sustained development.

The tension for nearly 72 hours prior to the match, and then if you got the result, a great relief. And I think that's what the great Walter Smith frequently stated similarly, that it was relief more than anything else. Yet these represented superb matches really. It's still a fantastic fixture.

This constitutes a significant fixture for us. Honestly, don't conceal that fact. It's a semi-final, it's a crucial contest for our squad. Any Celtic-Rangers game is a big game, but particularly given the conditions of the recent days, possibly even months, definitely.

Managerial Experience

Two different coaches in the dugouts today but there's a big gap in derby experience between them. Danny Röhl is experiencing his first as Rangers manager whereas Martin O'Neill prepares to oversee his 28th such match.

Today's result might significantly influence regarding the tenure O'Neill's comeback as temporary Celtic manager lasts, as Ewan Murray has reflected.

The club might spend £5m in compensation to lure Kieran McKenna from Ipswich Town. They could take a larger risk with Robbie Keane. The reigning champions might choose to offer Nicky Hayen from Club Brugge an initial experience of British football. These represent risks in their own way. Beyond O'Neill? This remains questionable.

First XIs

Celtic FC (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 starts instead of Kieran Tierney on the left defensive flank. James Forrest is additionally excluded of the XI that overcame Falkirk in midweek.

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 instead of Max Aarons in the right flank position, including Mohamed Diomande replacing the banned Connor Barron in central areas with Thelo Aasgaard favored instead of Mikey Moore in attack.

Preamble

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