🔗 Share this article

Match Coverage

The teams emerge into the noise, Hampden Park split down the middle into blue and green. For the opportunity to play St Mirren FC at this venue in December … here we go.

Other Football

Additional games: 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 day's opening matches in the Women's Super League.

Regarding our coverage, we're only five minutes away until kick-off at Hampden Park!

Referee Information

Nick Walsh will referee today. He was also the referee for the 2024 Scottish Cup final involving Celtic and Rangers and a Europa League match in the last term where he showed four dismissals and twelve cautions. Avoid challenging him.

Manager Insights

The German coach: Although this marks his initial Old Firm, the recently appointed boss has made it clear this week that he's accustomed to being involved in other important local clashes in his coaching career, during his time at Bayern plus his stint at Wednesday.

I recollect when Hansi Flick assumed control, our following match was versus Dortmund at home. We secured a 4-0 victory. It always provides a lift if you win such a game. Furthermore, in England's second tier during the Steel City derby, I was also part [of it] there. I recognize the importance for the fans. This represents more than a simple match.

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

I hold great admiration for that type of coaching legacy. I think it is always great for a coach when you work so long in this industry and you are successful.

I am just at the beginning of my career. There's much work remaining to achieve similar status though the encouraging factor we start at 0-0, different generations and let's see what we can bring via our selections in this fixture.

I'm incredibly enthusiastic. I have had some experience though I anticipate an enormous event this Sunday. To participate in such a match, the stakes are extremely high. Victory means reaching the final, a loss ends your participation. I believe all factors align for an outstanding match.

Rival Coach

The Celtic manager: The stand-in manager has been reflecting this week regarding his initial encounter versus their rivals 25 years ago, the famous 6-2 demolition.

Now, repeating that performance might be extremely difficult, scoring six goals versus that team. I'd settle for a scrappy single-goal triumph if we managed to secure it. Some lads come up and mention to me: 'That was an amazing match', though they weren't alive then. They relate to me their grandfathers and fathers discussed it frequently. It became a really pivotal match for us, not only during that campaign, but possibly for sustained development.

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

This represents an important match for our team. Honestly, don't conceal that fact. It's a semi-final, it's an important game for our side. Every Old Firm match is a big game, but particularly given the situation of the past few days, possibly even months, certainly.

Dugout History

Two fresh managers on the sidelines this afternoon but there's a big gap in Old Firm experience between them. Danny Röhl encounters his inaugural as Rangers manager whereas Martin O'Neill prepares to oversee of his 28th.

Today's result may substantially affect regarding the tenure O'Neill's second spell as temporary Celtic manager lasts, as Ewan Murray has considered.

Celtic could pay five million pounds in compensation to lure Kieran McKenna away from Ipswich. They could take a larger risk on Robbie Keane. The Scottish champions may opt to give Club Brugge manager Nicky Hayen a debut opportunity within British soccer. These constitute chances to varying degrees. Beyond O'Neill? This remains questionable.

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 starts instead of Kieran Tierney at left-back. James Forrest is also omitted from the starting lineup 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 instead of Max Aarons on the right side, including Mohamed Diomande for the suspended Connor Barron in central areas with Thelo Aasgaard favored instead of 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