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The teams emerge amid the roar, Hampden Park separated evenly with blue and green sections. To earn the chance to play St Mirren at this venue this December … here we go.

Other Football

Other football: John Brewin offers real-time commentary for West Ham vs Newcastle in England's top flight; Yara El-Shaboury brings the newest developments from the initial games in the WSL.

Regarding our coverage, approximately five minutes remain before the game begins at Hampden Park!

Officiating Team

Nick Walsh will referee today. He was also the referee for the 2024 Scottish Cup final involving Celtic and Rangers and a continental game in the last term where he showed four dismissals and a dozen bookings. Don't cross him.

Manager Insights

The Rangers manager: Despite this being his debut in this fixture, the fresh-faced gaffer has emphasized in recent days that he's accustomed to being involved in other major rivalries in his coaching career, with Bayern Munich plus his stint at Wednesday.

I recollect when Hansi Flick took over, our second game took place against Dortmund at our stadium. We won 4-0. It always provides a lift if you win such a game. As well, in the EFL Championship during the Steel City derby, I participated there too. I recognize the importance among the followers. This is more than just a game.

The young coach has also been lauding Martin O'Neill's lengthy tenure at 73.

I hold great admiration for such a managerial journey. I believe it's always impressive in this profession when you work so long in this industry and you are successful.

I'm only starting out my coaching path. There's much work remaining to come to this point though the encouraging factor we begin level, separate eras and let's see what we can contribute via our selections in this game.

I'm tremendously excited. I've gained some experience yet I foresee a massive occasion this Sunday. To participate in such a match, the stakes are extremely high. You win, you go into the final, defeat means elimination. I feel all elements converge for an outstanding match.

Opposition Manager

Martin O'Neill: The stand-in manager has been reflecting this week concerning his debut match versus their rivals 25 years ago, the famous 6-2 demolition.

Well, replicating that may prove quite arduous, netting six times against those opponents. 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', and they weren't even born. They inform me their grandfathers and fathers were talking about it. It evolved into a decisive encounter for our team, not just that season, but possibly for sustained development.

The anxiety for approximately three days before, and subsequently if you achieved victory, tremendous relief. And I think that's what the renowned Walter Smith frequently stated similarly, that comfort surpassed other feelings. Yet these represented superb matches really. It's still a fantastic fixture.

This constitutes a significant fixture for us. Really, don't disguise that at all. It's a semi-final, it's a crucial contest for our side. Every Old Firm match is a big game, but particularly given the circumstances of the recent days, if not recent weeks, definitely.

Managerial Experience

Two fresh managers leading their teams today yet there's a substantial disparity in Old Firm experience among them. Danny Röhl is experiencing his first leading Rangers while Martin O'Neill gets ready to manage his twenty-eighth.

Today's result could have a major impact on how long O'Neill's return as temporary Celtic manager lasts, as Ewan Murray has reflected.

The club might spend five million pounds in compensation to lure Kieran McKenna away from Ipswich. They may attempt a more significant chance involving Robbie Keane. The reigning champions could decide to provide Nicky Hayen from Club Brugge a debut opportunity in British football. These constitute chances to varying degrees. Even more than O'Neill? This is debatable.

Team Selections

Celtic FC (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 starts instead of Kieran Tierney at left-back. James Forrest also drops out of the XI that overcame 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 is selected over Max Aarons in the right flank position, with Mohamed Diomande coming in replacing the banned Connor Barron in central areas and Thelo Aasgaard chosen over Mikey Moore in offensive positions.

Preamble

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