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The players head out amid the roar, Hampden Park split down the middle with blue and green sections. For the opportunity to play St Mirren FC at this venue next month … the action begins.
Other Matches
More matches: John Brewin is on our minute-by-minute coverage for West Ham v Newcastle in the Premier League; Yara El-Shaboury brings the newest developments from the early kick-offs in the WSL.
Turning to this match, we're only five minutes away before the start at the national stadium!
Officiating Team
Nick Walsh takes charge this match. He also refereed the 2024 cup final involving Celtic and Rangers and a Europa League match last season where he showed four sending-offs and twelve cautions. Don't cross him.
Dugout Views
The German coach: Although this marks his initial Old Firm, the fresh-faced gaffer has emphasized in recent days that he's familiar with taking part in other significant derbies in his coaching career, during his time at Bayern and with Sheffield Wednesday.
I recollect during Hansi Flick's appointment, our second game was versus Dortmund at home. We won 4-0. It is always a booster following success in these encounters. Additionally, in the Championship in the Steel derby, I participated there too. I recognize the importance to the supporters. This transcends ordinary football.
The German manager has been complimenting the enduring career of 73-year-old Martin O'Neill.
I have tremendous respect for such a managerial journey. I believe it's always impressive as a manager when you work so long in this industry and accomplish your objectives.
I am just at the beginning my coaching path. There's much work remaining to come to this point however the positive aspect we start at 0-0, distinct coaching generations and we'll observe what we can bring through our squads in this fixture.
I'm tremendously excited. I've accumulated certain experiences but I expect a big, big one during Sunday's match. To be involved in this fixture, it's all or nothing. Success secures a final place, you lose, you're out. I feel all elements converge for a magnificent contest.
Opposition Manager
Martin O'Neill: The Celtic interim manager has this week been reminiscing about his first meeting with Rangers two and a half decades past, the 6-2 'Demolition Derby'.
Certainly, matching that achievement may prove quite arduous, putting six past them against that side. I would accept an unattractive 1-0 win should we achieve it. Some lads come up and mention to me: 'That was a great game', though they weren't alive then. They tell me their family members were talking about it. It became a really pivotal match for our club, not merely in that term, but likely for future progress.
The tension for nearly 72 hours prior to the match, and then should you secure success, tremendous relief. And I think that's what the legendary Walter Smith often mentioned too, that relief outweighed other emotions. However these were magnificent contests really. It continues to be a superb rivalry.
This is a big game 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 is a big game, though especially considering the conditions of the recent days, if not recent weeks, certainly.
Managerial Experience
Two different coaches on the sidelines this afternoon yet there's a substantial disparity in derby experience among them. Danny Röhl encounters his inaugural leading Rangers whereas Martin O'Neill prepares to oversee his twenty-eighth.
Today's result could have a major impact on the duration O'Neill's return as (interim, for now) Celtic boss lasts, as Ewan Murray has reflected.
They could potentially invest five million pounds in compensation to lure Kieran McKenna from Ipswich. They could take 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 represent risks to varying degrees. Beyond O'Neill? This remains questionable.
Starting Lineups
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 preferred to Kieran Tierney on the left defensive flank. James Forrest is also omitted of the XI that overcame 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 over Max Aarons on the right, featuring Mohamed Diomande replacing the banned Connor Barron in midfield and Thelo Aasgaard preferred to Mikey Moore in forward roles.
Preamble
Greetings and welcome to the Old Firm. It's got to be better {than last time|compared to the previous meeting|versus
