🔗 Share this article

Live Updates

The squads take the field into the noise, Hampden Park separated evenly with blue and green sections. For the opportunity to face St Mirren in this stadium next month … the action begins.

Other Football

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

Regarding our coverage, there's just over five minutes before the start at the national stadium!

Officiating Team

Nick Walsh is the man in the middle this match. He also refereed the 2024 Scottish Cup final involving Celtic and Rangers and a continental game in the last term when he distributed four dismissals and twelve cautions. Don't cross him.

Coaching Perspectives

The Rangers manager: While this is his first Old Firm, the recently appointed boss has emphasized in recent days that he's accustomed to taking part in other important local clashes as a coach, with Bayern Munich and Sheffield Wednesday.

I recall when Hansi Flick took over, our following match was versus Dortmund at home. We won 4-0. It is always a booster 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 know what it means to the supporters. This is more than just a game.

The young coach has also been lauding 73-year-old Martin O'Neill's longevity.

I have tremendous respect for such a managerial journey. I think it is always great in this profession when you work so long in this industry and achieve success.

I'm only starting out my coaching path. There's much work remaining to reach that level however the positive aspect we begin level, separate eras and we'll observe what we can bring with our teams in this encounter.

I'm incredibly enthusiastic. I've gained some experience yet I foresee a massive occasion this Sunday. To be part of such a game, everything is at stake. 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 regarding his initial encounter versus their rivals a quarter-century ago, the famous 6-2 demolition.

Certainly, matching that achievement could be very challenging, putting six past them against that side. I would take a scrappy single-goal triumph if we could get it. Some lads come up and mention to me: 'That was a great game', despite not being born at the time. They relate to me their family members were talking about it. It became a really pivotal match for our team, not merely in that term, but likely for future progress.

The anxiety for approximately three days before, and subsequently if you achieved victory, significant comfort. And I feel that's precisely the renowned Walter Smith often mentioned too, that relief outweighed other emotions. But they were fantastic fixtures genuinely. It continues to be a superb rivalry.

This is a big game for us. Honestly, don't conceal that fact. It's a last-four clash, it's a crucial contest for our side. Each encounter between these rivals represents a major event, but particularly given the conditions of recent times, if not recent weeks, certainly.

Coaching Background

Two different coaches leading their teams today but there's a big gap in rivalry knowledge among them. Danny Röhl encounters his inaugural as the Rangers boss while Martin O'Neill gets ready to manage his twenty-eighth.

The outcome today might significantly influence regarding the tenure O'Neill's second spell as (interim, for now) Celtic boss lasts, as Ewan Murray has reflected.

The club might spend substantial compensation to coax Kieran McKenna from Ipswich. They may attempt a more significant chance with Robbie Keane. The title holders may opt to give Club Brugge's Nicky Hayen an initial experience within British soccer. These represent risks in different manners. Beyond O'Neill? This is debatable.

Team Selections

Celtic (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 starts ahead of Kieran Tierney in the left-back position. James Forrest also drops out 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.

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

James Tavernier receives preference over Max Aarons on the right side, including Mohamed Diomande replacing the banned Connor Barron in the middle and Thelo Aasgaard chosen to Mikey Moore in forward roles.

Opening Context

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