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The players head out to a thunderous reception, Hampden Park divided in two with blue and green sections. For the opportunity to meet St Mirren FC at this venue in December … here we go.

Additional Fixtures

Other football: John Brewin provides live updates for West Ham v Newcastle in England's top flight; Yara El-Shaboury brings the newest developments from the initial games in the women's top division.

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

Match Officials

Nick Walsh takes charge this afternoon. He previously officiated the 2024 Scottish Cup final featuring these two rivals and a continental game in the last term during which he issued four sending-offs and a dozen bookings. Avoid challenging him.

Manager Insights

The Rangers manager: Although this marks his initial Old Firm, the new Rangers manager has emphasized this week that he's familiar with being involved in other significant derbies during his managerial journey, with Bayern Munich and with Sheffield Wednesday.

I recollect during Hansi Flick's appointment, our subsequent fixture took place against Dortmund at our stadium. We triumphed 4-0. It consistently offers motivation following success in these encounters. Additionally, in the EFL Championship during the Steel City derby, I participated there too. I understand the significance for the fans. This represents more than a simple match.

The young coach has been praising 73-year-old Martin O'Neill's longevity.

I hold great admiration for such a managerial journey. I consider it consistently remarkable for a coach when you work so long in this business and accomplish your objectives.

I'm merely commencing my coaching path. I have substantial work ahead to reach that level though the encouraging factor we start at 0-0, separate eras and let's see what we can bring through our squads in this game.

I'm tremendously excited. I've gained some experience but I expect a big, big one during Sunday's match. To be part of such a game, it's all or nothing. Victory means reaching the final, defeat means elimination. I think everything is on for a magnificent contest.

Opposition Manager

The Celtic manager: The stand-in manager has been reflecting this week about his first meeting versus their rivals a quarter-century ago, the 6-2 'Demolition Derby'.

Well, replicating that could be very challenging, putting six past them versus that team. I'd settle for an unattractive 1-0 win should we achieve it. Various individuals tell me and inform me: 'That was a great game', though they weren't alive then. They tell me their ancestors and parents were talking about it. It evolved into a decisive encounter for us, not only during that campaign, but likely for future progress.

The nervousness for about 72 hours prior to the match, and then should you secure success, a great relief. And I believe that's exactly the great Walter Smith frequently stated similarly, that relief outweighed other emotions. But they were fantastic fixtures really. It's still a fantastic fixture.

This constitutes a significant fixture for our club. Truthfully, don't hide that reality. It's a last-four clash, it's a crucial contest for our squad. Every Old Firm match represents a major event, however specifically because of the situation of the past few days, if not recent weeks, certainly.

Dugout History

Two new managers leading their teams today though there's a significant difference in derby experience among them. Danny Röhl is experiencing his first as Rangers manager while Martin O'Neill is about to take charge of his 28th.

This match's conclusion could have a major impact on the duration O'Neill's return as stand-in Celtic coach persists, as Ewan Murray has reflected.

Celtic could pay £5m in compensation to coax Kieran McKenna from Ipswich. They could take an even bigger gamble with Robbie Keane. The title holders could decide to provide Club Brugge manager Nicky Hayen a first taste in British football. 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 ahead of Kieran Tierney at left-back. James Forrest is additionally excluded of the XI that beat Falkirk during the week.

Rangers FC (3-4-3): Butland; Djiga, Souttar, Cornelius; Tavernier, Diomande, Raskin, Meghoma; Aasgaard, Chermiti, Danilo.

Reserves: Kelly, Aarons, Fernández, Rothwell, Antman, Moore, Gassama, Curtis, Miovski.

James Tavernier gets the nod ahead of Max Aarons on the right side, with Mohamed Diomande coming in taking Connor Barron's suspended place in midfield with Thelo Aasgaard favored instead of Mikey Moore in forward roles.

Opening Context

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