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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 play St Mirren FC in this stadium this December … it all kicks off.

Additional Fixtures

Additional games: John Brewin is on our minute-by-minute coverage for West Ham vs Newcastle in England's top flight; Yara El-Shaboury delivers fresh updates from the day's opening matches in the Women's Super League.

Turning to this match, we're only five minutes away until kick-off at Hampden Park!

Referee Information

Nick Walsh will referee this match. He previously officiated the 2024 Scottish Cup final featuring these two rivals and a continental game the previous campaign when he distributed four red cards and a dozen bookings. Don't cross him.

Coaching Perspectives

The Rangers manager: While this is his first Old Firm, the new Rangers manager has stated clearly this week that he's accustomed to participating in other major rivalries as a coach, at Bayern Munich and with Sheffield Wednesday.

I recall when Hansi Flick took over, our following match was at home against Dortmund. We triumphed 4-0. It consistently offers motivation if you win such a game. Additionally, in England's second tier in the Steel derby, I was also part [of it] there. I understand the significance among the followers. This represents more than a simple match.

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

I hold great admiration for that type of coaching legacy. I believe it's always impressive as a manager when you work so long in this business and accomplish your objectives.

I am just at the beginning my coaching path. There's much work remaining to come to this point though the encouraging factor we commence evenly matched, distinct coaching generations and we'll discover what we can contribute with our teams in this fixture.

I'm incredibly enthusiastic. I've gained some experience though I anticipate a massive occasion this Sunday. To be part of such a game, it's all or nothing. Success secures a final place, a loss ends your participation. I think everything is on for a magnificent contest.

Counterpart Perspective

The experienced boss: The temporary Celtic boss has this week been reminiscing regarding his initial encounter with Rangers 25 years ago, the memorable 6-2 victory.

Certainly, matching that achievement might be extremely difficult, scoring six goals versus that team. I would accept a really lousy 1-0 victory should we achieve it. Various individuals tell me and say to me: 'That was a great game', though they weren't alive then. They inform me their family members discussed it frequently. It evolved into a decisive encounter for us, not just that season, but likely for future progress.

The nervousness for about 72 hours beforehand, and subsequently if you achieved victory, tremendous relief. And I think that's what the legendary Walter Smith used to say about it as well, that comfort surpassed other feelings. But they were fantastic fixtures really. It continues to be a superb rivalry.

This is a big game for our club. Truthfully, don't hide that reality. It's a semi-final encounter, it's a big match for our squad. Any Celtic-Rangers game is a big game, but particularly given the situation of the past few days, if not weeks, definitely.

Managerial Experience

Two new managers in the dugouts today yet there's a substantial disparity in rivalry knowledge separating them. Danny Röhl faces his debut as Rangers manager while Martin O'Neill is about to take charge of his 28th.

The outcome today could have a major impact regarding the tenure O'Neill's second spell as (interim, for now) Celtic boss lasts, as Ewan Murray has been pondering.

They could potentially invest £5m in compensation to persuade Kieran McKenna from Ipswich Town. They may attempt a more significant chance on Robbie Keane. The Scottish champions could decide to provide Nicky Hayen from Club Brugge a first taste in British football. These represent risks in different manners. Even more than O'Neill? This is arguable.

First XIs

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 of the XI that defeated Falkirk in their recent match.

Rangers (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 receives preference instead of Max Aarons on the right side, with Mohamed Diomande coming in replacing the banned Connor Barron in midfield and Thelo Aasgaard preferred to Mikey Moore in attack.

Match Preview

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