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The teams emerge to a thunderous reception, Hampden split down the middle between blue and green. For the opportunity to face St Mirren FC here this December … the action begins.

Other Matches

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 has all the latest from the day's opening matches in the WSL.

Regarding our coverage, approximately five minutes remain before the start at the national stadium!

Match Officials

Nick Walsh will referee today. He also refereed the 2024 Scottish Cup final involving Celtic and Rangers and a Europa League match the previous campaign during which he issued 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 made it clear this week that he's accustomed to participating in other significant derbies as a coach, with Bayern Munich plus his stint at Wednesday.

I can remember when Hansi Flick assumed control, our following match was versus Dortmund at home. We triumphed 4-0. It consistently offers motivation when you triumph in such matches. As well, in England's second tier in the Sheffield derby, I was involved in that as well. I recognize the importance to the supporters. This transcends ordinary football.

The 36-year-old German has been complimenting Martin O'Neill's lengthy tenure at 73.

I hold great admiration for such a coaching career. I think it is always great in this profession when you remain active for so many years in this business and accomplish your objectives.

I'm only starting out my professional journey. I have a lot of work to do to achieve similar status but the good thing is we commence evenly matched, separate eras and we'll observe what we can demonstrate via our selections in this game.

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, everything is at stake. Victory means reaching the final, defeat means elimination. I think everything is on for a great, great game.

Opposition Manager

Martin O'Neill: The Celtic interim manager has recently been recalling about his first meeting against Rangers a quarter-century ago, the memorable 6-2 victory.

Now, repeating that performance might be extremely difficult, netting six times versus that team. I would take a scrappy single-goal triumph should we achieve it. Certain supporters approach and inform me: 'That was a fantastic encounter', despite not being born at the time. They tell me their grandfathers and fathers discussed it frequently. It transformed into a crucial game for us, not only during that campaign, but likely for future progress.

The tension for nearly 72 hours before, and then if you got the result, tremendous relief. And I believe that's exactly the renowned Walter Smith frequently stated similarly, that it was relief more than anything else. However these were magnificent contests truly. It's still a fantastic fixture.

This represents an important match for our club. Really, don't disguise that at all. It's a semi-final encounter, it's a big match for our side. Any Celtic-Rangers game is a big game, though especially considering the circumstances of the past few days, possibly even months, definitely.

Dugout History

Two new managers leading their teams today yet there's a substantial disparity in derby experience among them. Danny Röhl faces his debut leading Rangers whereas Martin O'Neill prepares to oversee his 28th such match.

Today's result might significantly influence on the duration O'Neill's comeback as stand-in Celtic coach lasts, as Ewan Murray has considered.

Celtic could pay five million pounds in compensation to coax Kieran McKenna away from Ipswich. They may attempt an even bigger gamble on Robbie Keane. The reigning champions might choose to offer Nicky Hayen from Club Brugge a debut opportunity within British soccer. These constitute chances in different manners. 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 ahead of Kieran Tierney at left-back. James Forrest also drops out of the XI that defeated Falkirk during the week.

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 ahead of Max Aarons on the right, featuring Mohamed Diomande taking Connor Barron's suspended place in midfield and Thelo Aasgaard chosen over Mikey Moore in forward roles.

Opening Context

Greetings and welcome to this derby match. It should be improved {than last time|compared to the previous meeting|versus