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The squads take the field to a thunderous reception, Hampden divided in two between blue and green. For the opportunity to meet St Mirren FC at this venue in December … the action begins.

Other Football

Other football: John Brewin offers real-time commentary for the West Ham-Newcastle clash in England's top flight; Yara El-Shaboury delivers fresh updates from the day's opening matches in the WSL.

Turning to this match, we're only five minutes away before the start at the national stadium!

Match Officials

Nick Walsh is the man in the middle today. He also refereed the 2024 cup final featuring these two rivals and a continental game in the last term when he distributed four sending-offs and twelve cautions. Don't cross him.

Dugout Views

The German coach: Although this marks his initial Old Firm, the fresh-faced gaffer has made it clear this week that he's used to participating in other significant derbies during his managerial journey, during his time at Bayern and Sheffield Wednesday.

I can remember during Hansi Flick's appointment, our subsequent fixture was at home against Dortmund. We secured a 4-0 victory. It consistently offers motivation if you win such a game. Furthermore, in the EFL Championship in the Sheffield derby, I was involved in that as well. I recognize the importance for the fans. This transcends ordinary football.

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

I have tremendous respect for such a coaching career. I consider it consistently remarkable in this profession when you work so long in this industry and accomplish your objectives.

I'm merely commencing my professional journey. There's much work remaining to achieve similar status though the encouraging factor we start at 0-0, distinct coaching generations and we'll observe what we can contribute through our squads in this fixture.

I am very excited. I have had some experience but I expect an enormous event on Sunday. To participate in such a match, the stakes are extremely high. Success secures a final place, you lose, you're out. I believe all factors align for a great, great game.

Counterpart Perspective

The Celtic manager: The temporary Celtic boss has been reflecting this week concerning his debut match versus their rivals 25 years ago, the memorable 6-2 victory.

Now, repeating that performance may prove quite arduous, putting six past them versus that team. I would accept a scrappy single-goal triumph if we managed to secure it. Various individuals tell me and say to me: 'That was a fantastic encounter', and they weren't even born. They relate to me their family members were talking about it. It evolved into a decisive encounter for us, not just that season, but likely for future progress.

The anxiety for approximately three days prior to the match, and then if you got the result, a great relief. And I believe that's exactly the great Walter Smith often mentioned too, that comfort surpassed other feelings. But they were fantastic fixtures really. It's still a fantastic fixture.

This constitutes a significant fixture for us. Honestly, don't conceal that fact. It's a last-four clash, it's a big match for us. Every Old Firm match is a big game, however specifically because of the conditions of recent times, possibly even months, definitely.

Managerial Experience

Two different coaches on the sidelines this afternoon though there's a significant difference in Old Firm experience separating them. Danny Röhl is experiencing his first as the Rangers boss whereas Martin O'Neill prepares to oversee of his 28th.

Today's result may substantially affect on the duration O'Neill's second spell as (interim, for now) Celtic boss lasts, as Ewan Murray has reflected.

They could potentially invest substantial compensation to lure Kieran McKenna away from Ipswich. They might consider a more significant chance involving Robbie Keane. The Scottish champions may opt to give Club Brugge's Nicky Hayen a first taste in British football. These constitute chances in different manners. Even more than O'Neill? This is arguable.

Team Selections

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

Substitutes: 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 of the XI that beat Falkirk in their recent match.

Rangers (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 is selected instead of Max Aarons on the right, with Mohamed Diomande coming in taking Connor Barron's suspended place in central areas and Thelo Aasgaard chosen instead of Mikey Moore in forward roles.

Preamble

Greetings and welcome to this Old Firm clash. It ought to be superior {than last time|compared to the previous meeting|versus