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Match Coverage

The teams emerge into the noise, Hampden split down the middle into blue and green. For the opportunity to meet St Mirren FC in this stadium in December … it all kicks off.

Additional Fixtures

More matches: John Brewin provides live updates for the West Ham-Newcastle clash in the EPL; Yara El-Shaboury delivers fresh updates from the early kick-offs in the women's top division.

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

Match Officials

Nick Walsh takes charge today. He was also the referee for the 2024 Scottish Cup final between Celtic and Rangers and a Europa League match in the last term where he showed four dismissals and twelve cautions. Don't cross him.

Coaching Perspectives

The German coach: Although this marks his initial Old Firm, the new Rangers manager has emphasized in recent days that he's used to taking part in other significant derbies during his managerial journey, at Bayern Munich and Sheffield Wednesday.

I recollect during Hansi Flick's appointment, our following match took place against Dortmund at our stadium. We triumphed 4-0. It is always a booster when you triumph in such matches. As well, in England's second tier during the Steel City derby, I was involved in that as well. I understand the significance for the fans. This is more than just a game.

The German manager has been complimenting Martin O'Neill's lengthy tenure at 73.

I have tremendous respect for such a coaching career. I believe it's always impressive for a coach when you work so long in this industry and accomplish your objectives.

I'm merely commencing my professional journey. I have a lot of work to do to come to this point but the good thing is we start at 0-0, distinct coaching generations and let's see what we can bring with our teams in this fixture.

I'm incredibly enthusiastic. I have had some experience though I anticipate a massive occasion during Sunday's match. To participate in such a match, the stakes are extremely high. You win, you go into the final, you lose, you're out. I feel all elements converge for a magnificent contest.

Counterpart Perspective

The experienced boss: The Celtic interim manager has recently been recalling regarding his initial encounter against Rangers 25 years ago, the famous 6-2 demolition.

Well, replicating that could be very challenging, netting six times against that side. I would accept a scrappy single-goal triumph if we could get it. Some lads come up and inform me: 'That was a great game', though they weren't alive then. They relate to me their grandfathers and fathers were talking about it. It became a really pivotal match for our team, not just that season, but probably for continuing on.

The nervousness for about 72 hours beforehand, and subsequently if you achieved victory, significant comfort. And I feel that's precisely the great Walter Smith used to say about it as well, that relief outweighed other emotions. But they were fantastic fixtures really. It's still a fantastic fixture.

This is a big game for our team. Honestly, don't conceal that fact. It's a last-four clash, it's a crucial contest for our side. Every Old Firm match represents a major event, though especially considering the situation of recent times, possibly even months, definitely.

Managerial Experience

Two new managers leading their teams today though there's a significant difference in derby experience between them. Danny Röhl faces his debut as the Rangers boss while Martin O'Neill gets ready to manage his twenty-eighth.

Today's result may substantially affect on the duration O'Neill's second spell as stand-in Celtic coach persists, as Ewan Murray has reflected.

The club might spend substantial compensation to coax Kieran McKenna from Ipswich Town. They could take a more significant chance with Robbie Keane. The title holders may opt to give Nicky Hayen from Club Brugge an initial experience of British football. These represent risks in their own way. Even more than O'Neill? This remains questionable.

Starting Lineups

Celtic FC (4-3-3): Schmeichel; Ralston, Trusty, Scales, Sarrachi; McGregor, Engels, Nygren; Maeda, Kenny, Tounekti.

Subs: Sinisalo, Balikwisha, Yang, Osmand, McCowan, Hatate, Murray, Forrest, Tierney.

Marcelo Sarrachi features ahead of Kieran Tierney at left-back. James Forrest is also omitted 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 receives preference instead of Max Aarons on the right side, featuring Mohamed Diomande taking Connor Barron's suspended place in midfield and Thelo Aasgaard preferred over Mikey Moore in forward roles.

Preamble

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