🔗 Share this article

Live Updates

The squads take the field amid the roar, Hampden Park divided in two between blue and green. For the opportunity to face St Mirren in this stadium in December … here we go.

Other Football

Other football: John Brewin is on our minute-by-minute coverage for West Ham v Newcastle in the EPL; Yara El-Shaboury has all the latest from the day's opening matches in the Women's Super League.

Turning to this match, there's just over five minutes until kick-off at the national stadium!

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 the previous campaign during which he issued four sending-offs and 12 yellows. Don't cross him.

Manager Insights

The Rangers manager: While this is his first Old Firm, the fresh-faced gaffer has emphasized in recent days that he's accustomed to participating in other important local clashes during his managerial journey, with Bayern Munich plus his stint at Wednesday.

I recall when Hansi Flick took over, our second game was at home against Dortmund. We secured a 4-0 victory. It always provides a lift following success in these encounters. As well, in the Championship in the Steel derby, I participated there too. I recognize the importance among the followers. This represents more than a simple match.

The German manager has been complimenting Martin O'Neill's lengthy tenure at 73.

I hold great admiration for such a coaching career. I believe it's always impressive in this profession when you sustain your career over decades in this business and achieve success.

I'm only starting out my coaching path. There's much work remaining to reach that level but the good thing is we start at 0-0, separate eras and we'll observe what we can contribute with our teams in this encounter.

I am very excited. I have had some experience yet I foresee an enormous event during Sunday's match. To be part of such a game, it's all or nothing. Victory means reaching the final, you lose, you're out. I believe all factors align for a great, great game.

Opposition Manager

The experienced boss: The temporary Celtic boss has recently been recalling concerning his debut match versus their rivals 25 years ago, the famous 6-2 demolition.

Well, replicating that could be very challenging, putting six past them against those opponents. I would take a scrappy single-goal triumph if we could get it. Certain supporters approach and mention to me: 'That was an amazing match', and they weren't even born. They relate to me their family members spoke about it regularly. It became a really pivotal match for us, not merely in that term, but likely for future progress.

The anxiety for approximately three days beforehand, and subsequently if you achieved victory, a great relief. And I think that's what the renowned Walter Smith often mentioned too, that relief outweighed other emotions. But they were fantastic fixtures truly. It's still a fantastic fixture.

This constitutes a significant fixture for our club. Honestly, don't conceal that fact. It's a semi-final encounter, it's a crucial contest for our squad. Every Old Firm match represents a major event, however specifically because of the circumstances of recent times, if not weeks, absolutely.

Managerial Experience

Two different coaches in the dugouts today though there's a significant difference in Old Firm experience between them. Danny Röhl encounters his inaugural leading Rangers while Martin O'Neill gets ready to manage his 28th such match.

The outcome today could have a major impact on the duration O'Neill's comeback as temporary Celtic manager lasts, as Ewan Murray has reflected.

The club might spend substantial compensation to lure Kieran McKenna away from Ipswich. They may attempt a more significant chance on Robbie Keane. The reigning champions could decide to provide Nicky Hayen from Club Brugge a first taste within British soccer. These represent risks in their own way. Even more than O'Neill? This is arguable.

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 preferred to Kieran Tierney on the left defensive flank. James Forrest is also omitted of the XI that overcame Falkirk in midweek.

Rangers FC (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 is selected instead of Max Aarons on the right side, featuring Mohamed Diomande replacing the banned Connor Barron in the middle and Thelo Aasgaard preferred over Mikey Moore in attack.

Match Preview

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