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The players head out to a thunderous reception, Hampden Park split down the middle into blue and green. For the right to face St Mirren FC here this December … here we go.

Other Matches

Additional games: John Brewin offers real-time commentary for West Ham v Newcastle in the EPL; Yara El-Shaboury delivers fresh updates from the day's opening matches in the WSL.

As for us, approximately five minutes remain until kick-off at the national stadium!

Match Officials

Nick Walsh is the man in the middle this match. He was also the referee for the 2024 cup final featuring these two rivals plus a European fixture in the last term when he distributed four red cards and 12 yellows. Avoid challenging him.

Dugout Views

The German coach: Although this marks his initial Old Firm, the fresh-faced gaffer has made it clear in recent days that he's used to being involved in other important local clashes during his managerial journey, with Bayern Munich and Sheffield Wednesday.

I recollect when Hansi Flick took over, our subsequent fixture took place against Dortmund at our stadium. We triumphed 4-0. It always provides a lift following success in these encounters. As well, in the Championship in the Sheffield derby, I was involved in that as well. I recognize the importance for the fans. This represents more than a simple match.

The young coach has also been lauding the enduring career of 73-year-old Martin O'Neill.

I feel a big respect for such a managerial journey. I think it is always great for a coach when you remain active for so many years in this industry and you are successful.

I am just at the beginning my coaching path. I have a lot of work to do to achieve similar status however the positive aspect we commence evenly matched, separate eras and we'll observe what we can bring through our squads in this encounter.

I'm tremendously excited. I've accumulated certain experiences though I anticipate a big, big one on Sunday. To be part of such a game, the stakes are extremely high. Victory means reaching the final, you lose, you're out. I believe all factors align for a magnificent contest.

Rival Coach

The experienced boss: The stand-in manager has this week been reminiscing regarding his initial encounter with Rangers two and a half decades past, the famous 6-2 demolition.

Now, repeating that performance may prove quite arduous, scoring six goals against those opponents. I'd settle for an unattractive 1-0 win if we managed to secure 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 discussed it frequently. It transformed into a crucial game for our club, not only during that campaign, but likely for future progress.

The tension for nearly 72 hours prior to the match, and subsequently if you achieved victory, tremendous relief. And I believe that's exactly the renowned Walter Smith used to say about it as well, that it was relief more than anything else. But they were fantastic fixtures truly. It continues to be a superb rivalry.

This represents an important match for our team. Really, don't disguise that at all. It's a semi-final, it's a crucial contest for us. Any Celtic-Rangers game is a big game, however specifically because of the circumstances of the past few days, possibly even months, certainly.

Managerial Experience

Two new managers leading their teams today though there's a significant difference in rivalry knowledge among them. Danny Röhl faces his debut as Rangers manager whereas Martin O'Neill prepares to oversee his 28th such match.

Today's result may substantially affect on how long O'Neill's return as temporary Celtic manager persists, as Ewan Murray has considered.

They could potentially invest substantial compensation to coax Kieran McKenna from Ipswich Town. They might consider a more significant chance on Robbie Keane. The Scottish champions might choose to offer Club Brugge manager Nicky Hayen a debut opportunity within British soccer. These constitute chances in their own way. Beyond O'Neill? This is debatable.

Starting Lineups

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 features instead of Kieran Tierney at left-back. James Forrest is additionally excluded from the first team that overcame Falkirk in their recent match.

Rangers (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 receives preference instead of Max Aarons on the right, featuring Mohamed Diomande replacing the banned Connor Barron in central areas and Thelo Aasgaard chosen over Mikey Moore in forward roles.

Match Preview

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