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The teams emerge into the noise, Hampden Park divided in two into blue and green. For the right to play St Mirren at this venue in December … it all kicks off.

Other Matches

More matches: John Brewin offers real-time commentary for West Ham vs Newcastle in the Premier League; Yara El-Shaboury delivers fresh updates from the early kick-offs in the Women's Super League.

As for us, there's just over five minutes before the start at Hampden!

Referee Information

Nick Walsh is the man in the middle this afternoon. He previously officiated the 2024 cup final featuring these two rivals plus a European fixture in the last term during which he issued four red cards and 12 yellows. Steer clear of confrontation.

Coaching Perspectives

The Rangers manager: Despite this being his debut in this fixture, the new Rangers manager has made it clear this week that he's familiar with being involved in other major rivalries during his managerial journey, during his time at Bayern plus his stint at Wednesday.

I recall during Hansi Flick's appointment, our following match was versus Dortmund at home. We won 4-0. It consistently offers motivation when you triumph in such matches. As well, in the Championship in the Steel derby, I participated there too. I understand the significance to the supporters. This represents more than a simple match.

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

I hold great admiration for such a coaching career. I believe it's always impressive in this profession when you sustain your career over decades in this field and achieve success.

I am just at the beginning of my career. I have a lot of work to do to reach that level though the encouraging factor we start at 0-0, different generations and we'll discover what we can bring with our teams in this encounter.

I'm tremendously excited. I have had some experience though I anticipate a massive occasion during Sunday's match. To be involved in this fixture, everything is at stake. Victory means reaching the final, you lose, you're out. I believe all factors align for a great, great game.

Rival Coach

The Celtic manager: The Celtic interim manager has recently been recalling concerning his debut match 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 a really lousy 1-0 victory should we achieve it. Various individuals tell me and say to me: 'That was an amazing match', though they weren't alive then. They tell me their ancestors and parents spoke about it regularly. It transformed into a crucial game for us, not merely in that term, but possibly for sustained development.

The tension for nearly 72 hours prior to the match, and subsequently if you achieved victory, a great relief. And I think that's what the renowned Walter Smith frequently stated similarly, that relief outweighed other emotions. Yet these represented superb matches truly. It continues to be a superb rivalry.

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. Any Celtic-Rangers game represents a major event, though especially considering the conditions of recent times, if not recent weeks, absolutely.

Dugout History

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

Today's result may substantially affect regarding the tenure O'Neill's return as (interim, for now) Celtic boss persists, as Ewan Murray has been pondering.

Celtic could pay £5m in compensation to persuade Kieran McKenna from Ipswich Town. They might consider an even bigger gamble on Robbie Keane. The Scottish champions might choose to offer Club Brugge's Nicky Hayen a first taste in British football. These are all gambles in their own way. More than O'Neill? This is debatable.

First XIs

Celtic FC (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 begins ahead of Kieran Tierney on the left defensive flank. James Forrest also drops out from the starting lineup that defeated Falkirk in midweek.

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 gets the nod instead of Max Aarons on the right side, featuring Mohamed Diomande taking Connor Barron's suspended place in central areas and Thelo Aasgaard preferred over Mikey Moore in offensive positions.

Match Preview

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