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The players head out amid the roar, Hampden Park split down the middle with blue and green sections. For the opportunity to face St Mirren FC at this venue next month … the action begins.

Other Football

More matches: John Brewin provides live updates for West Ham v Newcastle in England's top flight; Yara El-Shaboury brings the newest developments from the day's opening matches in the women's top division.

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

Match Officials

Nick Walsh is the man in the middle today. He was also the referee for the 2024 Scottish Cup final between Celtic and Rangers and a Europa League match the previous campaign during which he issued four red cards and 12 yellows. Avoid challenging him.

Dugout Views

The Rangers manager: While this is his first Old Firm, the recently appointed boss has made it clear in recent days that he's used to taking part in other major rivalries during his managerial journey, at Bayern Munich and with Sheffield Wednesday.

I recall when Hansi Flick took over, our second game took place against Dortmund at our stadium. We won 4-0. It is always a booster if you win such a game. Additionally, in the EFL Championship in the Steel derby, I was also part [of it] there. I recognize the importance for the fans. This transcends ordinary football.

The 36-year-old German has been complimenting Martin O'Neill's lengthy tenure at 73.

I hold great admiration for that type of coaching legacy. I think it is always great in this profession when you remain active for so many years in this field and you are successful.

I am just at the beginning of my career. I have substantial work ahead to achieve similar status but the good thing is we start at 0-0, distinct coaching generations and let's see what we can demonstrate through our squads in this encounter.

I'm incredibly enthusiastic. I have had some experience yet I foresee a massive occasion during Sunday's match. To be part of such a game, it's all or nothing. Victory means reaching the final, a loss ends your participation. I think everything is on for an outstanding match.

Counterpart Perspective

Martin O'Neill: The Celtic interim manager has recently been recalling about his first meeting against Rangers two and a half decades past, the memorable 6-2 victory.

Well, replicating that could be very challenging, putting six past them against that side. I would accept a scrappy single-goal triumph should we achieve it. Some lads come up and mention to me: 'That was a fantastic encounter', despite not being born at the time. They tell me their grandfathers and fathers discussed it frequently. It transformed into a crucial game for our club, not merely in that term, but probably for continuing on.

The nervousness for about 72 hours before, and then if you got the result, tremendous relief. And I feel that's precisely the great Walter Smith used to say about it as well, that it was relief more than anything else. But they were fantastic fixtures truly. It's still a fantastic fixture.

This represents an important match for our club. Honestly, don't conceal that fact. It's a last-four clash, it's a big match for our squad. Any Celtic-Rangers game represents a major event, though especially considering the conditions of recent times, if not recent weeks, certainly.

Coaching Background

Two different coaches on the sidelines this afternoon though there's a significant difference in Old Firm experience among them. Danny Röhl faces his debut as Rangers manager whereas Martin O'Neill prepares to oversee his twenty-eighth.

The outcome today might significantly influence on the duration O'Neill's return as (interim, for now) Celtic boss continues, as Ewan Murray has been pondering.

The club might spend £5m in compensation to coax Kieran McKenna from Ipswich Town. They may attempt an even bigger gamble on Robbie Keane. The title holders might choose to offer Club Brugge's Nicky Hayen an initial experience in British football. These represent risks in different manners. Even more than O'Neill? This is arguable.

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 starts ahead of Kieran Tierney at left-back. James Forrest is also omitted 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.

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

James Tavernier gets the nod 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 preferred to Mikey Moore in attack.

Opening Context

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