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The players head out to a thunderous reception, Hampden Park separated evenly with blue and green sections. To earn the chance to meet St Mirren FC at this venue this December … it all kicks off.

Additional Fixtures

Other football: John Brewin offers real-time commentary for West Ham vs Newcastle in the Premier League; Yara El-Shaboury delivers fresh updates from the initial games in the Women's Super League.

As for us, approximately five minutes remain before the game begins at the national stadium!

Officiating Team

Nick Walsh is the man in the middle this afternoon. He was also the referee for the 2024 cup final involving Celtic and Rangers plus a European fixture in the last term where he showed four red cards and 12 yellows. Don't cross him.

Dugout Views

Danny Röhl: Despite this being his debut in this fixture, the recently appointed boss has emphasized this week that he's accustomed to taking part in other important local clashes during his managerial journey, with Bayern Munich and Sheffield Wednesday.

I recall during Hansi Flick's appointment, our second game took place against Dortmund at our stadium. We won 4-0. It always provides a lift following success in these encounters. Additionally, in the EFL Championship in the Steel derby, I participated there too. I know what it means to the supporters. This is more than just a game.

The German manager has also been lauding 73-year-old Martin O'Neill's longevity.

I hold great admiration for such a coaching career. I consider it consistently remarkable for a coach when you work so long in this industry and achieve success.

I am just at the beginning of my career. I have a lot of work to do to come to this point though the encouraging factor we begin level, different generations and we'll discover what we can contribute via our selections in this game.

I am very excited. I've gained some experience though I anticipate a big, big one this Sunday. To be part of such a game, the stakes are extremely high. You win, you go into the final, a loss ends your participation. I feel all elements converge for an outstanding match.

Counterpart Perspective

Martin O'Neill: The stand-in manager has recently been recalling concerning his debut match with Rangers two and a half decades past, the memorable 6-2 victory.

Certainly, matching that achievement might be extremely difficult, scoring six goals against that side. I would take a really lousy 1-0 victory if we could get it. Various individuals tell me and inform me: 'That was an amazing match', and they weren't even born. They relate to me their grandfathers and fathers spoke about it regularly. It evolved into a decisive encounter for our team, not only during that campaign, but possibly for sustained development.

The anxiety for approximately three days before, and then should you secure success, significant comfort. And I feel that's precisely the renowned Walter Smith frequently stated similarly, that it was relief more than anything else. Yet these represented superb matches genuinely. It remains a wonderful encounter.

This represents an important match for us. Truthfully, don't hide that reality. It's a semi-final encounter, it's a crucial contest for our squad. Every Old Firm match constitutes a significant occasion, but particularly given the situation of the recent days, if not weeks, certainly.

Coaching Background

Two fresh managers on the sidelines this afternoon though there's a significant difference in Old Firm experience separating 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 might significantly influence regarding the tenure O'Neill's second spell as (interim, for now) Celtic boss continues, as Ewan Murray has considered.

They could potentially invest five million pounds in compensation to persuade Kieran McKenna from Ipswich Town. They could take a more significant chance on Robbie Keane. The title holders could decide to provide Club Brugge manager Nicky Hayen a debut opportunity of British football. These are all gambles in different manners. Even more than O'Neill? This remains questionable.

Starting Lineups

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

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

Marcelo Sarrachi features instead of Kieran Tierney on the left defensive flank. James Forrest also drops out from the first team that overcame Falkirk during the week.

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 ahead of Max Aarons on the right, featuring Mohamed Diomande replacing the banned Connor Barron in central areas with Thelo Aasgaard favored to Mikey Moore in attack.

Preamble

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