🔗 Share this article

Live Feed

The players head out to a thunderous reception, Hampden split down the middle into blue and green. For the right to face St Mirren FC at this venue in December … the action begins.

Other Matches

More matches: John Brewin provides live updates for West Ham v Newcastle in the Premier League; Yara El-Shaboury has all the latest from the early kick-offs in the WSL.

Turning to this match, approximately five minutes remain before the game begins at the national stadium!

Officiating Team

Nick Walsh takes charge this afternoon. He was also the referee for the 2024 Scottish Cup final between Celtic and Rangers and a Europa League match the previous campaign when he distributed four dismissals and 12 yellows. Don't cross him.

Dugout Views

Danny Röhl: Although this marks his initial Old Firm, the recently appointed boss has emphasized this week that he's familiar with participating in other important local clashes as a coach, at Bayern Munich and with Sheffield Wednesday.

I can remember during Hansi Flick's appointment, our following match was versus Dortmund at home. We triumphed 4-0. It is always a booster when you triumph in such matches. Additionally, in the EFL Championship in the Sheffield derby, I participated there too. I recognize the importance to the supporters. This represents more than a simple match.

The German manager has been complimenting 73-year-old Martin O'Neill's longevity.

I have tremendous respect for that type of coaching legacy. I consider it consistently remarkable for a coach when you remain active for so many years in this industry and you are successful.

I'm merely commencing my professional journey. I have substantial work ahead to reach that level though the encouraging factor we commence evenly matched, different generations and we'll discover what we can demonstrate with our teams in this fixture.

I'm incredibly enthusiastic. I've gained some experience but I expect a big, big one this Sunday. To participate in such a match, the stakes are extremely high. Victory means reaching the final, a loss ends your participation. I think everything is on for a magnificent contest.

Counterpart Perspective

Martin O'Neill: The temporary Celtic boss has this week been reminiscing regarding his initial encounter versus their rivals a quarter-century ago, the 6-2 'Demolition Derby'.

Well, replicating that 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. Certain supporters approach and say to me: 'That was a great game', though they weren't alive then. They relate to me their ancestors and parents spoke about it regularly. It transformed into a crucial game for our team, not only during that campaign, but possibly for sustained development.

The tension for nearly 72 hours before, and then should you secure success, tremendous relief. And I think that's what the great Walter Smith often mentioned too, that relief outweighed other emotions. Yet these represented superb matches truly. It remains a wonderful encounter.

This is a big game for our team. Truthfully, don't hide that reality. It's a last-four clash, it's a crucial contest for our squad. Each encounter between these rivals is a big game, however specifically because of the circumstances of the past few days, possibly even months, certainly.

Coaching Background

Two new managers in the dugouts today yet there's a substantial disparity in Old Firm experience separating them. Danny Röhl is experiencing his first as the Rangers boss while Martin O'Neill is about to take charge his 28th such match.

This match's conclusion could have a major impact on how long O'Neill's return as temporary Celtic manager continues, as Ewan Murray has considered.

They could potentially invest five million pounds in compensation to lure Kieran McKenna away from Ipswich. They may attempt a larger risk with Robbie Keane. The reigning champions could decide to provide Club Brugge manager Nicky Hayen a debut opportunity in British football. These represent risks to varying degrees. More than O'Neill? This remains questionable.

Team Selections

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

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

Marcelo Sarrachi starts ahead of Kieran Tierney at left-back. James Forrest also drops out from the first team that beat Falkirk during the week.

Rangers FC (3-4-3): Butland; Djiga, Souttar, Cornelius; Tavernier, Diomande, Raskin, Meghoma; Aasgaard, Chermiti, Danilo.

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

James Tavernier receives preference instead of Max Aarons in the right flank position, featuring Mohamed Diomande for the suspended Connor Barron in the middle with Thelo Aasgaard favored over Mikey Moore in offensive positions.

Match Preview

Hello and welcome to this derby match. It should be improved {than last time|compared to the previous meeting|versus