🔗 Share this article

Match Coverage

The teams emerge amid the roar, Hampden divided in two with blue and green sections. For the right to face St Mirren at this venue this December … the action begins.

Other Matches

Other football: John Brewin provides live updates for the West Ham-Newcastle clash in England's top flight; Yara El-Shaboury delivers fresh updates from the initial games in the women's top division.

Turning to this match, there's just over five minutes before the game begins at Hampden Park!

Officiating Team

Nick Walsh is the man in the middle this match. He previously officiated the 2024 cup final featuring these two rivals and a continental game the previous campaign when he distributed four dismissals and a dozen bookings. Avoid challenging him.

Manager Insights

The Rangers manager: While this is his first Old Firm, the recently appointed boss has made it clear this week that he's familiar with being involved in other significant derbies during his managerial journey, during his time at Bayern plus his stint at Wednesday.

I recall during Hansi Flick's appointment, our subsequent fixture was versus Dortmund at home. We won 4-0. It consistently offers motivation following success in these encounters. Additionally, in England's second tier during the Steel City derby, I was involved in that as well. 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 feel a big respect for that type of coaching legacy. I believe it's always impressive in this profession when you sustain your career over decades in this business and you are successful.

I'm only starting out my professional journey. There's much work remaining to reach that level however the positive aspect we start at 0-0, distinct coaching generations and we'll observe what we can contribute with our teams in this game.

I'm tremendously excited. I have had some experience though I anticipate an enormous event during Sunday's match. To be involved in this fixture, it's all or nothing. Success secures a final place, a loss ends your participation. I feel all elements converge for a great, great game.

Opposition Manager

Martin O'Neill: The stand-in manager has this week been reminiscing regarding his initial encounter versus their rivals a quarter-century ago, the memorable 6-2 victory.

Well, replicating that may prove quite arduous, scoring six goals against that side. I'd settle for a scrappy single-goal triumph if we managed to secure it. Certain supporters approach and mention to me: 'That was an amazing match', and they weren't even born. They relate to me their ancestors and parents were talking about it. It became a really pivotal match for our team, not just that season, but possibly for sustained development.

The anxiety for approximately three days before, and subsequently if you achieved victory, tremendous relief. And I believe that's exactly the great Walter Smith frequently stated similarly, that it was relief more than anything else. However these were magnificent contests genuinely. It continues to be a superb rivalry.

This represents an important match for us. Honestly, don't conceal that fact. It's a last-four clash, it's a crucial contest for us. Each encounter between these rivals represents a major event, though especially considering the conditions of recent times, if not recent weeks, absolutely.

Managerial Experience

Two fresh managers in the dugouts today but there's a big gap in derby experience between them. Danny Röhl is experiencing his first as Rangers manager while Martin O'Neill is about to take charge his 28th such match.

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

They could potentially invest £5m in compensation to coax Kieran McKenna from Ipswich. They may attempt an even bigger gamble involving Robbie Keane. The reigning champions may opt to give Nicky Hayen from Club Brugge a debut opportunity within British soccer. These are all gambles to varying degrees. Beyond O'Neill? This is arguable.

First XIs

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 features instead of Kieran Tierney in the left-back position. James Forrest is additionally excluded from the starting lineup that beat Falkirk during the week.

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 gets the nod over Max Aarons on the right, with Mohamed Diomande coming in replacing the banned Connor Barron in midfield with Thelo Aasgaard favored over Mikey Moore in offensive positions.

Preamble

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