🔗 Share this article

Live Feed

The teams emerge to a thunderous reception, Hampden Park separated evenly with blue and green sections. To earn the chance to meet St Mirren at this venue in December … here we go.

Other Matches

Additional games: John Brewin is on our minute-by-minute coverage for the West Ham-Newcastle clash in the EPL; Yara El-Shaboury delivers fresh updates from the early kick-offs in the women's top division.

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

Referee Information

Nick Walsh takes charge this afternoon. He was also the referee for the 2024 Scottish Cup final involving Celtic and Rangers plus a European fixture the previous campaign when he distributed four dismissals and twelve cautions. Avoid challenging him.

Dugout Views

Danny Röhl: While this is his first Old Firm, the fresh-faced gaffer has made it clear in recent days that he's accustomed to being involved in other significant derbies during his managerial journey, during his time at Bayern and Sheffield Wednesday.

I recollect when Hansi Flick assumed control, our second game was versus Dortmund at home. We won 4-0. It consistently offers motivation if you win such a game. Furthermore, in England's second tier in the Steel derby, I was also part [of it] there. I know what it means to the supporters. This is more than just a game.

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

I hold great admiration for that type of coaching legacy. I think it is always great in this profession when you remain active for so many years in this business and achieve success.

I'm merely commencing my coaching path. I have substantial work ahead to come to this point however the positive aspect we begin level, different generations and let's see what we can bring with our teams in this fixture.

I am very excited. I've accumulated certain experiences though I anticipate a big, big one on Sunday. To be involved in this fixture, the stakes are extremely high. Success secures a final place, defeat means elimination. I feel all elements converge for a great, great game.

Opposition Manager

Martin O'Neill: The temporary Celtic boss has been reflecting this week regarding his initial encounter against Rangers 25 years ago, the 6-2 'Demolition Derby'.

Well, replicating that might be extremely difficult, scoring six goals against that side. I'd settle for a scrappy single-goal triumph if we could get it. Certain supporters approach and inform me: 'That was a great game', though they weren't alive then. They inform me their ancestors and parents discussed it frequently. It became a really pivotal match for our team, not just that season, but likely for future progress.

The nervousness for about 72 hours beforehand, and then if you got the result, significant comfort. And I feel that's precisely the great Walter Smith often mentioned too, that it was relief more than anything else. However these were magnificent contests truly. It continues to be a superb rivalry.

This is a big game for us. Honestly, don't conceal that fact. It's a semi-final, it's a crucial contest for our side. Each encounter between these rivals represents a major event, but particularly given the situation of the past few days, if not weeks, definitely.

Managerial Experience

Two different coaches in the dugouts today but there's a big gap in rivalry knowledge separating them. Danny Röhl faces his debut as the Rangers boss while Martin O'Neill is about to take charge his 28th such match.

This match's conclusion may substantially affect on the duration O'Neill's comeback as (interim, for now) Celtic boss persists, as Ewan Murray has reflected.

The club might spend five million pounds in compensation to lure Kieran McKenna away from Ipswich. They might consider an even bigger gamble involving Robbie Keane. The Scottish champions might choose to offer Club Brugge's Nicky Hayen an initial experience within British soccer. These constitute chances in their own way. Even more than O'Neill? This remains questionable.

Starting Lineups

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 begins ahead of Kieran Tierney on the left defensive flank. James Forrest is also omitted from the starting lineup that beat Falkirk in their recent match.

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

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

James Tavernier receives preference ahead of Max Aarons on the right, including Mohamed Diomande replacing the banned Connor Barron in central areas with Thelo Aasgaard favored to Mikey Moore in attack.

Preamble

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