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Match Coverage

The teams emerge to a thunderous reception, Hampden separated evenly between blue and green. For the opportunity to play St Mirren FC at this venue next month … it all kicks off.

Other Matches

Other football: John Brewin is on our minute-by-minute coverage for West Ham v Newcastle in the Premier League; Yara El-Shaboury delivers fresh updates from the early kick-offs in the WSL.

Regarding our coverage, we're only five minutes away before the game begins at Hampden!

Match Officials

Nick Walsh is the man in the middle this afternoon. He also refereed the 2024 cup final between Celtic and Rangers and a continental game last season where he showed four red cards and a dozen bookings. Steer clear of confrontation.

Dugout Views

The German coach: Although this marks his initial Old Firm, the fresh-faced gaffer has made it clear this week that he's used to taking part in other important local clashes as a coach, with Bayern Munich plus his stint at Wednesday.

I recollect when Hansi Flick took over, our subsequent fixture took place against Dortmund at our stadium. We triumphed 4-0. It is always a booster following success in these encounters. As well, in England's second tier during the Steel City derby, I was also part [of it] there. I understand the significance among the followers. This represents more than a simple match.

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

I hold great admiration for such a coaching career. I believe it's always impressive as a manager when you remain active for so many years in this business and you are successful.

I'm only starting out of my career. There's much work remaining to come to this point however the positive aspect we commence evenly matched, distinct coaching generations and we'll observe what we can contribute via our selections in this game.

I am very excited. I've gained some experience yet I foresee a massive occasion on Sunday. To be involved in this fixture, it's all or nothing. You win, you go into the final, you lose, you're out. I think everything is on for a great, great game.

Counterpart Perspective

The experienced boss: The stand-in manager has this week been reminiscing about his first meeting with Rangers two and a half decades past, the memorable 6-2 victory.

Well, replicating that may prove quite arduous, netting six times against that side. I would accept a scrappy single-goal triumph if we could get it. Some lads come up and say to 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 club, not only during that campaign, but probably for continuing on.

The nervousness for about 72 hours prior to the match, and then if you got the result, significant comfort. And I think that's what the great Walter Smith used to say about it as well, that it was relief more than anything else. However these were magnificent contests genuinely. It remains a wonderful encounter.

This constitutes a significant fixture for our club. Really, don't disguise that at all. It's a last-four clash, it's an important game for us. Every Old Firm match constitutes a significant occasion, though especially considering the conditions of recent times, if not recent weeks, certainly.

Managerial Experience

Two different coaches leading their teams today though there's a significant difference in Old Firm experience between them. Danny Röhl encounters his inaugural leading Rangers whereas Martin O'Neill prepares to oversee his twenty-eighth.

Today's result might significantly influence regarding the tenure O'Neill's second spell as (interim, for now) Celtic boss persists, as Ewan Murray has reflected.

Celtic could pay five million pounds in compensation to coax Kieran McKenna from Ipswich. They might consider a more significant chance involving Robbie Keane. The reigning champions might choose to offer Nicky Hayen from Club Brugge a first taste within British soccer. These represent risks 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.

Substitutes: Sinisalo, Balikwisha, Yang, Osmand, McCowan, Hatate, Murray, Forrest, Tierney.

Marcelo Sarrachi starts ahead of Kieran Tierney at left-back. James Forrest is additionally excluded from the starting lineup that defeated Falkirk in their recent match.

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 instead of Max Aarons in the right flank position, including Mohamed Diomande taking Connor Barron's suspended place in midfield and Thelo Aasgaard chosen instead of Mikey Moore in attack.

Match Preview

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