🔗 Share this article

Live Updates

The players head out to a thunderous reception, Hampden divided in two between blue and green. For the opportunity to meet St Mirren here in December … here we go.

Other Matches

Other football: John Brewin offers real-time commentary for West Ham vs Newcastle in the EPL; Yara El-Shaboury delivers fresh updates from the day's opening matches in the Women's Super League.

As for us, approximately five minutes remain before the start at the national stadium!

Match Officials

Nick Walsh is the man in the middle this match. He also refereed the 2024 cup final between Celtic and Rangers and a continental game in the last term during which he issued four dismissals and a dozen bookings. Steer clear of confrontation.

Coaching Perspectives

The German coach: While this is his first Old Firm, the fresh-faced gaffer has stated clearly in recent days that he's familiar with being involved in other major rivalries as a coach, during his time at Bayern and Sheffield Wednesday.

I can remember during Hansi Flick's appointment, our second game was versus Dortmund at home. We triumphed 4-0. It consistently offers motivation following success in these encounters. Additionally, in the EFL Championship in the Sheffield derby, I participated there too. I know what it means for the fans. This is more than just a game.

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

I feel a big respect for such a coaching career. I believe it's always impressive as a manager 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 but the good thing is we commence evenly matched, separate eras and we'll discover what we can contribute through our squads in this fixture.

I am very excited. I have had some experience yet I foresee a big, big one during Sunday's match. To be part of such a game, the stakes are extremely high. Victory means reaching the final, a loss ends your participation. I believe all factors align for a great, great game.

Opposition Manager

The experienced boss: The temporary Celtic boss has recently been recalling regarding his initial encounter against Rangers two and a half decades past, the 6-2 'Demolition Derby'.

Certainly, matching that achievement may prove quite arduous, scoring six goals against that side. I'd settle for a really lousy 1-0 victory if we managed to secure it. Various individuals tell me and inform me: 'That was a great game', though they weren't alive then. They tell me their family members discussed it frequently. It evolved into a decisive encounter for our team, not merely in that term, but likely for future progress.

The nervousness for about 72 hours before, and then if you got the result, tremendous relief. And I think that's what the renowned Walter Smith used to say about it as well, that comfort surpassed other feelings. Yet these represented superb matches truly. It's still a fantastic fixture.

This constitutes a significant fixture for our team. Honestly, don't conceal that fact. It's a semi-final, it's an important game for us. Each encounter between these rivals constitutes a significant occasion, though especially considering the situation of the past few days, if not recent weeks, definitely.

Dugout History

Two new managers leading their teams today though there's a significant difference in Old Firm experience among them. Danny Röhl is experiencing his first as the Rangers boss while Martin O'Neill gets ready to manage his twenty-eighth.

This match's conclusion might significantly influence on the duration O'Neill's return as temporary Celtic manager lasts, as Ewan Murray has considered.

Celtic could pay five million pounds in compensation to lure Kieran McKenna from Ipswich. They could take a larger risk on Robbie Keane. The title holders may opt to give Club Brugge's Nicky Hayen an initial experience of British football. These represent risks to varying degrees. Beyond O'Neill? This remains questionable.

Starting Lineups

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 instead of Kieran Tierney at left-back. James Forrest is additionally excluded of the XI 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 receives preference ahead of Max Aarons on the right, with Mohamed Diomande coming in taking Connor Barron's suspended place in midfield and Thelo Aasgaard preferred to Mikey Moore in forward roles.

Match Preview

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