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Match Coverage

The teams emerge amid the roar, Hampden split down the middle between blue and green. For the opportunity to meet St Mirren FC here next month … here we go.

Other Football

Other football: John Brewin is on our minute-by-minute coverage for the West Ham-Newcastle clash in England's top flight; Yara El-Shaboury delivers fresh updates from the day's opening matches in the women's top division.

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

Referee Information

Nick Walsh will referee today. He previously officiated the 2024 Scottish Cup final between Celtic and Rangers and a continental game in the last term during which he issued four sending-offs and twelve cautions. Don't cross him.

Dugout Views

The German coach: Despite this being his debut in this fixture, the new Rangers manager has stated clearly recently that he's accustomed to being involved in other significant derbies in his coaching career, with Bayern Munich and with Sheffield Wednesday.

I can remember during Hansi Flick's appointment, our second game was versus Dortmund at home. We won 4-0. It always provides a lift when you triumph in such matches. Additionally, in England's second tier during the Steel City derby, I was also part [of it] there. I recognize the importance among the followers. This is more than just a game.

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

I hold great admiration for such a coaching career. I consider it consistently remarkable for a coach when you remain active for so many years in this field and accomplish your objectives.

I'm merely commencing of my career. I have substantial work ahead to achieve similar status though the encouraging factor we begin level, distinct coaching generations and we'll discover what we can bring through our squads in this fixture.

I'm tremendously excited. I've accumulated certain experiences yet I foresee a massive occasion during Sunday's match. To participate in such a match, the stakes are extremely high. Victory means reaching the final, you lose, you're out. I think everything is on for a great, great game.

Rival Coach

The experienced boss: The Celtic interim manager has recently been recalling about his first meeting versus their rivals a quarter-century ago, the 6-2 'Demolition Derby'.

Now, repeating that performance may prove quite arduous, putting six past them against that side. I'd settle for a scrappy single-goal triumph if we could get it. Various individuals tell me and say to me: 'That was a fantastic encounter', despite not being born at the time. 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 probably for continuing on.

The tension for nearly 72 hours prior to the match, and then if you got the result, significant comfort. And I think that's what the great Walter Smith frequently stated similarly, that comfort surpassed other feelings. Yet these represented superb matches genuinely. It remains a wonderful encounter.

This constitutes a significant fixture for us. Honestly, don't conceal that fact. It's a last-four clash, it's a big match for our squad. Each encounter between these rivals constitutes a significant occasion, however specifically because of the circumstances of the recent days, possibly even months, certainly.

Dugout History

Two new managers leading their teams today but there's a big gap in derby experience between them. Danny Röhl is experiencing his first as Rangers manager while Martin O'Neill is about to take charge his 28th such match.

The outcome today may substantially affect on how long O'Neill's second spell as temporary Celtic manager continues, as Ewan Murray has reflected.

The club might spend £5m in compensation to coax Kieran McKenna from Ipswich Town. They could take a larger risk involving Robbie Keane. The Scottish champions might choose to offer Nicky Hayen from Club Brugge a debut opportunity in British football. These are all gambles to varying degrees. More than O'Neill? This is arguable.

Starting Lineups

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 begins preferred to Kieran Tierney in the left-back position. James Forrest is also omitted from the first team that overcame 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 over Max Aarons on the right, including Mohamed Diomande for the suspended Connor Barron in midfield and Thelo Aasgaard chosen instead of Mikey Moore in forward roles.

Match Preview

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