🔗 Share this article

Match Coverage

The squads take the field into the noise, Hampden Park separated evenly into blue and green. For the opportunity to play St Mirren FC at this venue next month … here we go.

Other Football

Other football: John Brewin provides live updates for West Ham v Newcastle in the EPL; Yara El-Shaboury has all the latest from the day's opening matches in the WSL.

Turning to this match, we're only five minutes away before the game begins at the national stadium!

Referee Information

Nick Walsh takes charge this afternoon. He was also the referee for the 2024 Scottish Cup final involving Celtic and Rangers and a continental game in the last term when he distributed four dismissals and twelve cautions. Steer clear of confrontation.

Dugout Views

The Rangers manager: Despite this being his debut in this fixture, the new Rangers manager has stated clearly recently that he's used to being involved in other important local clashes as a coach, with Bayern Munich 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 when you triumph in such matches. Furthermore, in the EFL Championship in the Sheffield derby, I participated there too. I recognize the importance among the followers. This transcends ordinary football.

The young coach has also been lauding Martin O'Neill's lengthy tenure at 73.

I have tremendous respect for that type of coaching legacy. I think it is always great as a manager when you sustain your career over decades 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 achieve similar status however the positive aspect we commence evenly matched, different generations and we'll discover what we can bring with our teams in this game.

I am very excited. I've accumulated certain experiences yet I foresee a big, big one this Sunday. To participate in such a match, the stakes are extremely high. You win, you go into the final, defeat means elimination. I feel all elements converge for a great, great game.

Rival Coach

The Celtic manager: The temporary Celtic boss has been reflecting this week regarding his initial encounter versus their rivals a quarter-century ago, the 6-2 'Demolition Derby'.

Certainly, matching that achievement may prove quite arduous, netting six times versus that team. I would take an unattractive 1-0 win should we achieve it. Various individuals tell me and mention to me: 'That was a fantastic encounter', though they weren't alive then. They relate to 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 tension for nearly 72 hours prior to the match, and then if you got the result, a great relief. And I think that's what the great Walter Smith used to say about it as well, that comfort surpassed other feelings. However these were magnificent contests truly. It's still a fantastic fixture.

This represents an important match for our team. Truthfully, don't hide that reality. It's a last-four clash, it's a big match for our squad. Each encounter between these rivals constitutes a significant occasion, but particularly given the circumstances of recent times, if not recent weeks, absolutely.

Dugout History

Two different coaches in the dugouts today though there's a significant difference in rivalry knowledge between them. Danny Röhl faces his debut as the Rangers boss while Martin O'Neill is about to take charge his twenty-eighth.

Today's result could have a major impact on how long O'Neill's comeback as temporary Celtic manager persists, as Ewan Murray has considered.

Celtic could pay substantial compensation to persuade Kieran McKenna from Ipswich. They might consider a more significant chance on Robbie Keane. The Scottish champions might choose to offer Nicky Hayen from Club Brugge an initial experience in British football. These represent risks in different manners. Even more than O'Neill? This remains questionable.

Team Selections

Celtic FC (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 from the first team that beat Falkirk in midweek.

Rangers (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 in the right flank position, including Mohamed Diomande replacing the banned Connor Barron in central areas and Thelo Aasgaard chosen instead of Mikey Moore in attack.

Opening Context

Greetings and welcome to this Old Firm clash. It's got to be better {than last time|compared to the previous meeting|versus