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Match Coverage

The squads take the field to a thunderous reception, Hampden Park divided in two between blue and green. To earn the chance to meet St Mirren FC in this stadium in December … the action begins.

Other Matches

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

Turning to this match, we're only five minutes away until kick-off at the national stadium!

Referee Information

Nick Walsh takes charge today. He also refereed last year's Scottish Cup final involving Celtic and Rangers and a Europa League match in the last term during which he issued four sending-offs and 12 yellows. Don't cross him.

Manager Insights

Danny Röhl: While this is his first Old Firm, the new Rangers manager has emphasized this week that he's familiar with taking part in other important local clashes as a coach, at Bayern Munich plus his stint at Wednesday.

I recall when Hansi Flick took over, our second game was at home against Dortmund. We won 4-0. It consistently offers motivation if you win such a game. Additionally, in the Championship during the Steel City derby, I was also part [of it] there. I know what it means for the fans. This transcends ordinary football.

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

I feel a big respect for that type of coaching legacy. I believe it's always impressive in this profession when you remain active for so many years in this field and accomplish your objectives.

I'm only starting out my professional journey. I have substantial work ahead to reach that level but the good thing is we start at 0-0, distinct coaching generations and let's see what we can demonstrate via our selections in this fixture.

I'm tremendously excited. I've accumulated certain experiences though I anticipate a massive occasion on Sunday. To participate in such a match, everything is at stake. Victory means reaching the final, defeat means elimination. I feel all elements converge for a magnificent contest.

Counterpart Perspective

Martin O'Neill: The stand-in manager has been reflecting this week about his first meeting versus their rivals a quarter-century ago, the memorable 6-2 victory.

Now, repeating that performance may prove quite arduous, netting six times against that side. I would accept a really lousy 1-0 victory if we could get it. Various individuals tell me and inform me: 'That was a great game', despite not being born at the time. They relate to me their ancestors and parents were talking about it. It evolved into a decisive encounter for our club, not merely in that term, but possibly for sustained development.

The tension for nearly 72 hours beforehand, and then should you secure success, significant comfort. And I believe that's exactly the renowned Walter Smith frequently stated similarly, that comfort surpassed other feelings. However these were magnificent contests genuinely. It remains a wonderful encounter.

This constitutes a significant fixture for us. Truthfully, don't hide that reality. It's a semi-final encounter, it's an important game for us. Any Celtic-Rangers game constitutes a significant occasion, but particularly given the situation of the past few days, possibly even months, definitely.

Dugout History

Two different coaches on the sidelines this afternoon but there's a big gap in Old Firm experience separating them. Danny Röhl is experiencing his first 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 continues, as Ewan Murray has considered.

Celtic could pay £5m in compensation to coax Kieran McKenna from Ipswich. They could take a more significant chance on Robbie Keane. The title holders may opt to give Club Brugge manager Nicky Hayen a first taste within British soccer. These represent risks to varying degrees. Even more than O'Neill? This is arguable.

First XIs

Celtic (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 starts ahead of Kieran Tierney in the left-back position. James Forrest is additionally excluded from the starting lineup that beat 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 gets the nod over Max Aarons on the right side, including Mohamed Diomande replacing the banned Connor Barron in the middle and Thelo Aasgaard preferred to Mikey Moore in attack.

Match Preview

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