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Match Coverage

The players head out into the noise, Hampden divided in two with blue and green sections. To earn the chance to face St Mirren FC at this venue in December … the action begins.

Additional Fixtures

More matches: John Brewin provides live updates for the West Ham-Newcastle clash in the EPL; Yara El-Shaboury has all the latest from the day's opening matches in the women's top division.

Regarding our coverage, we're only five minutes away before the start at Hampden!

Officiating Team

Nick Walsh takes charge this match. He was also the referee for the 2024 Scottish Cup final involving Celtic and Rangers and a Europa League match the previous campaign during which he issued four sending-offs and 12 yellows. Don't cross him.

Dugout Views

The Rangers manager: Despite this being his debut in this fixture, the fresh-faced gaffer has made it clear this week that he's accustomed to taking part in other significant derbies during his managerial journey, with Bayern Munich and Sheffield Wednesday.

I can remember when Hansi Flick assumed control, our following match was versus Dortmund at home. We won 4-0. It always provides a lift following success in these encounters. Additionally, in the Championship in the Steel derby, I was also part [of it] there. I understand the significance for the fans. This is more than just a game.

The 36-year-old German has been complimenting Martin O'Neill's lengthy tenure at 73.

I have tremendous respect for that type of coaching legacy. I consider it consistently remarkable in this profession when you sustain your career over decades in this industry and you are successful.

I am just at the beginning my professional journey. I have a lot of work to do to come to this point but the good thing is we commence evenly matched, different generations and we'll discover what we can contribute with our teams in this encounter.

I'm incredibly enthusiastic. I've gained some experience but I expect a big, big one during Sunday's match. To be part of such a game, the stakes are extremely high. Success secures a final place, a loss ends your participation. I feel all elements converge for a magnificent contest.

Rival Coach

Martin O'Neill: The Celtic interim manager has this week been reminiscing about his first meeting with Rangers 25 years ago, the memorable 6-2 victory.

Now, repeating that performance might be extremely difficult, scoring six goals against those opponents. I'd settle for a really lousy 1-0 victory if we could get it. Some lads come up and say to me: 'That was a great game', though they weren't alive then. They relate to me their family members were talking about it. It became a really pivotal match for us, not only during that campaign, but probably for continuing on.

The nervousness for about 72 hours beforehand, and subsequently if you achieved victory, tremendous relief. And I believe that's exactly the legendary Walter Smith frequently stated similarly, that relief outweighed other emotions. But they were fantastic fixtures truly. It remains a wonderful encounter.

This represents an important match for us. Honestly, don't conceal that fact. It's a last-four clash, it's a crucial contest for our side. Every Old Firm match is a big game, but particularly given the situation of the past few days, if not recent weeks, absolutely.

Managerial Experience

Two different coaches leading their teams today yet there's a substantial disparity in rivalry knowledge among them. Danny Röhl is experiencing his first leading Rangers while Martin O'Neill gets ready to manage his 28th such match.

Today's result might significantly influence on the duration O'Neill's return as stand-in Celtic coach lasts, as Ewan Murray has been pondering.

They could potentially invest substantial compensation to lure Kieran McKenna away from Ipswich. They could take a larger risk with Robbie Keane. The title holders might choose to offer Nicky Hayen from Club Brugge a first taste in British football. These represent risks in different manners. More than O'Neill? This remains questionable.

First XIs

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 features preferred to Kieran Tierney in the left-back position. James Forrest also drops out from the starting lineup 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 is selected over Max Aarons on the right side, with Mohamed Diomande coming in taking Connor Barron's suspended place in midfield and Thelo Aasgaard preferred to Mikey Moore in offensive positions.

Match Preview

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