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The players head out amid the roar, Hampden divided in two with blue and green sections. For the right to face St Mirren at this venue this December … here we go.

Other Football

More matches: John Brewin is on our minute-by-minute coverage for West Ham vs Newcastle in the EPL; Yara El-Shaboury has all the latest from the initial games in the Women's Super League.

Turning to this match, we're only five minutes away before the game begins at Hampden!

Officiating Team

Nick Walsh will referee today. He also refereed the 2024 Scottish Cup final between Celtic and Rangers and a Europa League match in the last term where he showed four red cards and twelve cautions. Don't cross him.

Manager Insights

Danny Röhl: Although this marks his initial Old Firm, the fresh-faced gaffer has stated clearly this week that he's familiar with participating in other important local clashes as a coach, with Bayern Munich and with Sheffield Wednesday.

I can remember when Hansi Flick assumed control, our second game was at home against Dortmund. We won 4-0. It is always a booster following success in these encounters. As well, in the EFL Championship in the Sheffield derby, I was involved in that as well. I understand the significance for the fans. This is more than just a game.

The 36-year-old German has also been lauding 73-year-old Martin O'Neill's longevity.

I have tremendous respect for such a coaching career. I think it is always great as a manager when you remain active for so many years in this business and accomplish your objectives.

I am just at the beginning my professional journey. I have a lot of work to do to come to this point however the positive aspect we begin level, different generations and we'll observe what we can bring via our selections in this encounter.

I am very excited. I've accumulated certain experiences but I expect a massive occasion this Sunday. To be part of such a game, the stakes are extremely high. Victory means reaching the final, you lose, you're out. I feel all elements converge for an outstanding match.

Counterpart Perspective

The experienced boss: The Celtic interim manager has been reflecting this week concerning his debut match against Rangers a quarter-century ago, the 6-2 'Demolition Derby'.

Now, repeating that performance might be extremely difficult, putting six past them versus that team. I would accept a scrappy single-goal triumph should we achieve it. Some lads come up and mention to me: 'That was an amazing match', and they weren't even born. They inform me their family members were talking about it. It transformed into a crucial game for our club, not only during that campaign, but probably for continuing on.

The tension for nearly 72 hours before, and then if you got the result, significant comfort. And I believe that's exactly the legendary Walter Smith used to say about it as well, that comfort surpassed other feelings. Yet these represented superb matches genuinely. It's still a fantastic fixture.

This represents an important match for our club. Honestly, don't conceal that fact. It's a semi-final, it's a crucial contest for our side. Any Celtic-Rangers game constitutes a significant occasion, but particularly given the circumstances of the recent days, if not recent weeks, absolutely.

Coaching Background

Two different coaches leading their teams today yet there's a substantial disparity in Old Firm experience between them. Danny Röhl encounters his inaugural as Rangers manager while Martin O'Neill gets ready to manage his 28th such match.

Today's result may substantially affect on the duration O'Neill's comeback as (interim, for now) Celtic boss lasts, as Ewan Murray has reflected.

The club might spend five million pounds in compensation to coax Kieran McKenna away from Ipswich. They might consider an even bigger gamble with Robbie Keane. The title holders could decide to provide Nicky Hayen from Club Brugge an initial experience of British football. These represent risks in different manners. Even more than O'Neill? This is debatable.

Team Selections

Celtic FC (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 starts preferred to Kieran Tierney on the left defensive flank. James Forrest is additionally excluded from the starting lineup that overcame 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 is selected over Max Aarons in the right flank position, with Mohamed Diomande coming in taking Connor Barron's suspended place in the middle and Thelo Aasgaard chosen to Mikey Moore in offensive positions.

Preamble

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