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Live Updates

The squads take the field to a thunderous reception, Hampden split down the middle with blue and green sections. To earn the chance to play St Mirren at this venue in December … it all kicks off.

Other Football

Other football: John Brewin provides live updates for the West Ham-Newcastle clash in the EPL; Yara El-Shaboury has all the latest from the early kick-offs in the WSL.

Turning to this match, approximately five minutes remain before the start at Hampden Park!

Match Officials

Nick Walsh will referee this afternoon. He was also the referee for the 2024 cup final between Celtic and Rangers and a continental game the previous campaign when he distributed four dismissals and 12 yellows. Steer clear of confrontation.

Manager Insights

Danny Röhl: While this is his first Old Firm, the fresh-faced gaffer has stated clearly this week that he's familiar with being involved in other important local clashes in his coaching career, with Bayern Munich and with Sheffield Wednesday.

I recollect during Hansi Flick's appointment, our second game was at home against Dortmund. We won 4-0. It always provides a lift when you triumph in such matches. As well, in the EFL Championship in the Steel derby, I was also part [of it] there. I know what it means for the fans. This represents more than a simple match.

The German manager has been praising 73-year-old Martin O'Neill's longevity.

I feel a big respect for such a managerial journey. I believe it's always impressive in this profession when you remain active for so many years in this field and you are successful.

I am just at the beginning of my career. I have a lot of work to do to reach that level but the good thing is we begin level, distinct coaching generations and we'll observe what we can bring through our squads in this game.

I'm incredibly enthusiastic. I have had some experience yet I foresee a big, big one on Sunday. To participate in such a match, the stakes are extremely high. Success secures a final place, a loss ends your participation. I believe all factors align for a great, great game.

Counterpart Perspective

The experienced boss: The temporary Celtic boss has this week been reminiscing about his first meeting versus their rivals a quarter-century ago, the famous 6-2 demolition.

Now, repeating that performance might be extremely difficult, putting six past them against that side. I would accept a scrappy single-goal triumph if we could get it. Some lads come up and say to me: 'That was a fantastic encounter', despite not being born at the time. They relate to me their ancestors and parents discussed it frequently. It transformed into a crucial game for us, not just that season, but probably for continuing on.

The nervousness for about 72 hours prior to the match, and subsequently if you achieved victory, a great relief. And I feel that's precisely the legendary Walter Smith frequently stated similarly, that comfort surpassed other feelings. But they were fantastic fixtures genuinely. It continues to be a superb rivalry.

This is a big game for our club. Truthfully, don't hide that reality. It's a semi-final, 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.

Managerial Experience

Two fresh managers in the dugouts today but there's a big gap in derby experience between them. Danny Röhl faces his debut as Rangers manager whereas Martin O'Neill prepares to oversee his twenty-eighth.

The outcome today might significantly influence regarding the tenure O'Neill's comeback as (interim, for now) Celtic boss lasts, as Ewan Murray has reflected.

Celtic could pay substantial compensation to lure Kieran McKenna from Ipswich Town. They might consider an even bigger gamble with Robbie Keane. The reigning champions may opt to give Club Brugge manager Nicky Hayen an initial experience within British soccer. These constitute chances to varying degrees. More than O'Neill? This remains questionable.

Starting Lineups

Celtic (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 begins instead of Kieran Tierney at left-back. James Forrest is additionally excluded from the first team that beat Falkirk in midweek.

Rangers FC (3-4-3): Butland; Djiga, Souttar, Cornelius; Tavernier, Diomande, Raskin, Meghoma; Aasgaard, Chermiti, Danilo.

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

James Tavernier gets the nod ahead of Max Aarons on the right, including Mohamed Diomande taking Connor Barron's suspended place in the middle and Thelo Aasgaard chosen instead of Mikey Moore in offensive positions.

Match Preview

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