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The teams emerge to a thunderous reception, Hampden divided in two between blue and green. For the right to face St Mirren FC at this venue next month … it all kicks off.

Other Football

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

Turning to this match, there's just over five minutes until kick-off at Hampden!

Officiating Team

Nick Walsh takes charge this afternoon. He previously officiated the 2024 cup final involving Celtic and Rangers plus a European fixture in the last term during which he issued four dismissals and twelve cautions. Don't cross him.

Coaching Perspectives

Danny Röhl: Despite this being his debut in this fixture, the fresh-faced gaffer has stated clearly recently that he's used to participating in other significant derbies during his managerial journey, at Bayern Munich and with Sheffield Wednesday.

I recollect when Hansi Flick assumed control, our following match took place against Dortmund at our stadium. We triumphed 4-0. It is always a booster if you win such a game. As well, in the Championship in the Sheffield derby, I was also part [of it] there. I understand the significance among the followers. This transcends ordinary football.

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

I have tremendous respect for such a coaching career. I consider it consistently remarkable as a manager when you work so long in this business and accomplish your objectives.

I'm only starting out my professional journey. There's much work remaining to achieve similar status though the encouraging factor we commence evenly matched, separate eras and we'll discover what we can demonstrate via our selections in this fixture.

I'm incredibly enthusiastic. I have had some experience but I expect a big, big one this Sunday. To be part of such a game, it's all or nothing. You win, you go into the final, you lose, you're out. I feel all elements converge for an outstanding match.

Counterpart Perspective

The Celtic manager: The temporary Celtic boss has recently been recalling regarding his initial encounter versus their rivals a quarter-century ago, the memorable 6-2 victory.

Well, replicating that might be extremely difficult, netting six times against those opponents. I'd settle for an unattractive 1-0 win if we managed to secure it. Various individuals tell me and mention to me: 'That was an amazing match', despite not being born at the time. They relate to me their grandfathers and fathers spoke about it regularly. It became a really pivotal match for our team, not just that season, but possibly for sustained development.

The nervousness for about 72 hours beforehand, and then should you secure success, significant comfort. And I feel that's precisely the great Walter Smith frequently stated similarly, that relief outweighed other emotions. But they were fantastic fixtures 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 encounter, 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.

Coaching Background

Two different coaches in the dugouts today though there's a significant difference in derby experience between them. Danny Röhl faces his debut as Rangers manager whereas Martin O'Neill prepares to oversee of his 28th.

This match's conclusion could have a major impact on the duration O'Neill's return as temporary Celtic manager persists, as Ewan Murray has been pondering.

Celtic could pay £5m in compensation to persuade Kieran McKenna away from Ipswich. They could take an even bigger gamble on Robbie Keane. The title holders could decide to provide Club Brugge's Nicky Hayen a debut opportunity of British football. These are all gambles in their own way. Beyond O'Neill? This is debatable.

Team Selections

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 features preferred to Kieran Tierney in the left-back position. James Forrest is additionally excluded of the XI 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 receives preference ahead of Max Aarons in the right flank position, including Mohamed Diomande taking Connor Barron's suspended place in the middle with Thelo Aasgaard favored over Mikey Moore in attack.

Match Preview

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