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The teams emerge into the noise, Hampden divided in two with blue and green sections. For the opportunity to face St Mirren FC here this December … here we go.

Other Football

Additional games: John Brewin offers real-time commentary for West Ham v Newcastle in England's top flight; Yara El-Shaboury delivers fresh updates from the initial games in the women's top division.

As for us, approximately five minutes remain before the game begins at the national stadium!

Referee Information

Nick Walsh is the man in the middle this afternoon. He also refereed the 2024 Scottish Cup final involving Celtic and Rangers plus a European fixture the previous campaign where he showed four red cards and 12 yellows. Avoid challenging him.

Dugout Views

The Rangers manager: Despite this being his debut in this fixture, the recently appointed boss has made it clear recently that he's used to taking part in other significant derbies in his coaching career, with Bayern Munich and Sheffield Wednesday.

I recollect during Hansi Flick's appointment, our following match took place against Dortmund at our stadium. We secured a 4-0 victory. It is always a booster when you triumph in such matches. Furthermore, in England's second tier during the Steel City derby, I was also part [of it] there. I understand the significance to the supporters. This is more than just a game.

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

I have tremendous 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 business and accomplish your objectives.

I'm only starting out of my career. I have a lot of work to do to come to this point however the positive aspect we begin level, different generations and let's see what we can bring via our selections in this fixture.

I'm tremendously excited. I've accumulated certain experiences yet I foresee a big, big one during Sunday's match. To be involved in this fixture, everything is at stake. Victory means reaching the final, you lose, you're out. I think everything is on for a great, great game.

Opposition Manager

Martin O'Neill: The Celtic interim manager has this week been reminiscing concerning his debut match against Rangers a quarter-century ago, the memorable 6-2 victory.

Well, replicating that may prove quite arduous, scoring six goals against those opponents. I would take a scrappy single-goal triumph if we managed to secure it. Certain supporters approach and inform me: 'That was a great game', and they weren't even born. They tell me their grandfathers and fathers were talking about it. It evolved into a decisive encounter for us, not merely in that term, but possibly for sustained development.

The anxiety for approximately three days before, and then if you got the result, tremendous relief. And I believe that's exactly the legendary Walter Smith often mentioned too, that comfort surpassed other feelings. However these were magnificent contests genuinely. It's still a fantastic fixture.

This represents an important match for our team. Truthfully, don't hide that reality. It's a semi-final encounter, it's an important game for us. Any Celtic-Rangers game constitutes a significant occasion, though especially considering the conditions of recent times, possibly even months, certainly.

Coaching Background

Two new managers in the dugouts today though there's a significant difference in rivalry knowledge between them. Danny Röhl faces his debut as the Rangers boss whereas Martin O'Neill prepares to oversee his 28th such match.

The outcome today could have a major impact on how long O'Neill's comeback as temporary Celtic manager persists, as Ewan Murray has considered.

They could potentially invest five million pounds in compensation to persuade Kieran McKenna from Ipswich. They may attempt an even bigger gamble with Robbie Keane. The Scottish champions could decide to provide Club Brugge's Nicky Hayen an initial experience within British soccer. These represent risks in their own way. More than O'Neill? This is debatable.

First XIs

Celtic FC (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 features instead of Kieran Tierney in the left-back position. James Forrest is additionally excluded of the XI that defeated Falkirk in their recent match.

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 gets the nod instead of Max Aarons on the right side, with Mohamed Diomande coming in replacing the banned Connor Barron in the middle and Thelo Aasgaard chosen over Mikey Moore in offensive positions.

Opening Context

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