🔗 Share this article

Live Feed

The teams emerge amid the roar, Hampden separated evenly with blue and green sections. For the right to face St Mirren in this stadium in December … it all kicks off.

Other Football

Additional games: John Brewin provides live updates for West Ham vs Newcastle in the Premier League; Yara El-Shaboury delivers fresh updates from the initial games in the WSL.

As for us, there's just over five minutes until kick-off at Hampden Park!

Officiating Team

Nick Walsh takes charge this match. He was also the referee for last year's Scottish Cup final between Celtic and Rangers and a Europa League match last season when he distributed four red cards and 12 yellows. Steer clear of confrontation.

Coaching Perspectives

The German coach: Although this marks his initial Old Firm, the recently appointed boss has emphasized in recent days that he's accustomed to participating in other important local clashes in his coaching career, with Bayern Munich and with Sheffield Wednesday.

I can remember during Hansi Flick's appointment, our subsequent fixture took place against Dortmund at our stadium. We triumphed 4-0. It is always a booster when you triumph in such matches. Additionally, in the EFL Championship during the Steel City derby, I participated there too. I recognize the importance to the supporters. This is more than just a game.

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

I feel a big respect for that type of coaching legacy. I think it is always great as a manager when you remain active for so many years in this industry and you are successful.

I'm only starting out of my career. I have substantial work ahead to reach that level but the good thing is we commence evenly matched, different generations and we'll observe what we can demonstrate through our squads in this game.

I'm tremendously excited. I've accumulated certain experiences though I anticipate an enormous event on Sunday. To participate in such a match, everything is at stake. Victory means reaching the final, a loss ends your participation. I think everything is on for a magnificent contest.

Opposition Manager

The Celtic manager: The stand-in manager has this week been reminiscing concerning his debut match with Rangers a quarter-century ago, the famous 6-2 demolition.

Now, repeating that performance may prove quite arduous, putting six past them versus that team. I would take a really lousy 1-0 victory if we managed to secure it. Various individuals tell me and inform me: 'That was a fantastic encounter', despite not being born at the time. They tell me their ancestors and parents discussed it frequently. It became a really pivotal match for our team, not just that season, but probably for continuing on.

The tension for nearly 72 hours prior to the match, and then should you secure success, significant comfort. And I believe that's exactly the legendary Walter Smith used to say about it as well, that relief outweighed other emotions. However these were magnificent contests really. It's still a fantastic fixture.

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 side. Each encounter between these rivals constitutes a significant occasion, but particularly given the circumstances of recent times, if not recent weeks, absolutely.

Dugout History

Two fresh managers in the dugouts today though there's a significant difference in Old Firm experience separating them. Danny Röhl encounters his inaugural as Rangers manager while Martin O'Neill is about to take charge his 28th such match.

The outcome today could have a major impact on the duration O'Neill's return as temporary Celtic manager lasts, as Ewan Murray has reflected.

Celtic could pay five million pounds in compensation to persuade Kieran McKenna from Ipswich. They might consider a more significant chance involving Robbie Keane. The title holders may opt to give Nicky Hayen from Club Brugge a first taste within British soccer. These constitute chances in their own way. Even more than O'Neill? This is debatable.

First XIs

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

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

Marcelo Sarrachi begins instead of Kieran Tierney in the left-back position. James Forrest is also omitted of the XI that overcame Falkirk in their recent match.

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 gets the nod ahead of Max Aarons on the right side, including Mohamed Diomande replacing the banned Connor Barron in midfield with Thelo Aasgaard favored to Mikey Moore in forward roles.

Match Preview

Good afternoon and welcome to this Old Firm clash. It should be improved {than last time|compared to the previous meeting|versus