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Live Updates

The squads take the field amid the roar, Hampden Park split down the middle into blue and green. To earn the chance to play St Mirren in this stadium in December … the action begins.

Other Matches

Other football: John Brewin provides live updates for West Ham v Newcastle in England's top flight; Yara El-Shaboury brings the newest developments from the day's opening matches in the Women's Super League.

Regarding our coverage, there's just over five minutes before the game begins at Hampden Park!

Referee Information

Nick Walsh takes charge today. He also refereed the 2024 Scottish Cup final involving Celtic and Rangers and a Europa League match last season where he showed four red cards and 12 yellows. Don't cross him.

Manager Insights

Danny Röhl: Although this marks his initial Old Firm, the new Rangers manager has stated clearly recently that he's used to participating in other significant derbies as a coach, during his time at Bayern and Sheffield Wednesday.

I can remember when Hansi Flick assumed control, our following match was versus Dortmund at home. We won 4-0. It always provides a lift following success in these encounters. Additionally, in England's second tier during the Steel City derby, I was involved in that as well. I know what it means among the followers. This represents more than a simple match.

The German manager has also been lauding Martin O'Neill's lengthy tenure at 73.

I have tremendous respect for such a managerial journey. I think it is always great for a coach when you remain active for so many years in this business and you are successful.

I am just at the beginning my professional journey. There's much work remaining to come to this point however the positive aspect we begin level, separate eras and we'll discover what we can bring through our squads in this fixture.

I am very excited. I've accumulated certain experiences though I anticipate a big, big one this Sunday. To be involved in this fixture, it's all or nothing. Victory means reaching the final, you lose, you're out. I feel all elements converge for a magnificent contest.

Counterpart Perspective

The Celtic manager: The Celtic interim manager has been reflecting this week concerning his debut match against Rangers two and a half decades past, the memorable 6-2 victory.

Now, repeating that performance might be extremely difficult, putting six past them versus that team. I would accept a scrappy single-goal triumph 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 tell me their ancestors and parents spoke about it regularly. It evolved into a decisive encounter for our club, not just that season, but possibly for sustained development.

The anxiety for approximately three days before, and subsequently if you achieved victory, tremendous relief. And I believe that's exactly the great Walter Smith frequently stated similarly, that comfort surpassed other feelings. Yet these represented superb matches really. It remains a wonderful encounter.

This represents an important match for our team. Honestly, don't conceal that fact. It's a semi-final, it's an important game for our side. Every Old Firm match is a big game, but particularly given the conditions of the recent days, if not weeks, absolutely.

Coaching Background

Two new managers on the sidelines this afternoon though there's a significant difference in Old Firm experience among them. Danny Röhl encounters his inaugural as Rangers manager whereas Martin O'Neill prepares to oversee his 28th such match.

This match's conclusion might significantly influence on the duration O'Neill's comeback as (interim, for now) Celtic boss persists, as Ewan Murray has considered.

They could potentially invest five million pounds in compensation to persuade Kieran McKenna from Ipswich Town. They may attempt a larger risk on Robbie Keane. The title holders may opt to give Club Brugge manager Nicky Hayen a debut opportunity within British soccer. These are all gambles to varying degrees. Even more than O'Neill? This remains questionable.

Team Selections

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 features instead of Kieran Tierney on the left defensive flank. James Forrest also drops out 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.

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

James Tavernier receives preference instead of Max Aarons in the right flank position, with Mohamed Diomande coming in taking Connor Barron's suspended place in central areas and Thelo Aasgaard preferred instead of Mikey Moore in forward roles.

Match Preview

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