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The players head out into the noise, Hampden separated evenly between blue and green. To earn the chance to play St Mirren at this venue next month … it all kicks off.
Additional Fixtures
More matches: John Brewin offers real-time commentary for West Ham v Newcastle in the Premier League; Yara El-Shaboury brings the newest developments from the day's opening matches in the women's top division.
Turning to this match, approximately five minutes remain before the game begins at Hampden Park!
Match Officials
Nick Walsh will referee today. He also refereed the 2024 cup final featuring these two rivals and a Europa League match the previous campaign when he distributed four red cards and a dozen bookings. Don't cross him.
Coaching Perspectives
The German coach: Despite this being his debut in this fixture, the fresh-faced gaffer has emphasized recently that he's accustomed to taking part in other significant derbies in his coaching career, during his time at Bayern and Sheffield Wednesday.
I recall when Hansi Flick took over, our subsequent fixture took place against Dortmund at our stadium. We won 4-0. It always provides a lift when you triumph in such matches. Additionally, in the EFL Championship in the Sheffield derby, I was also part [of it] there. I know what it means for the fans. This is more than just a game.
The German manager has been praising Martin O'Neill's lengthy tenure at 73.
I feel a big respect for that type of coaching legacy. I consider it consistently remarkable in this profession when you remain active for so many years in this field and achieve success.
I'm only starting out my coaching path. There's much work remaining to reach that level though the encouraging factor we start at 0-0, distinct coaching generations and we'll observe what we can bring via our selections in this game.
I'm incredibly enthusiastic. I've accumulated certain experiences but I expect a big, big one during Sunday's match. To be part of such a game, it's all or nothing. Success secures a final place, you lose, you're out. I believe all factors align for a great, great game.
Opposition Manager
Martin O'Neill: The temporary Celtic boss has been reflecting this week concerning his debut match versus their rivals a quarter-century ago, the 6-2 'Demolition Derby'.
Now, repeating that performance could be very challenging, putting six past them against that side. I would take a really lousy 1-0 victory if we could get it. Some lads come up and say to me: 'That was a great game', despite not being born at the time. They relate to me their family members discussed it frequently. It evolved into a decisive encounter for our club, not merely in that term, but possibly for sustained development.
The anxiety for approximately three days before, and then if you got the result, a great relief. And I feel that's precisely the legendary Walter Smith often mentioned too, that relief outweighed other emotions. But they were fantastic fixtures genuinely. It's still a fantastic fixture.
This represents an important match for our team. Truthfully, don't hide that reality. It's a semi-final encounter, it's a big match for us. Every Old Firm match represents a major event, though especially considering the circumstances of recent times, if not recent weeks, definitely.
Managerial Experience
Two fresh managers on the sidelines this afternoon but there's a big gap in rivalry knowledge between them. Danny Röhl faces his debut leading Rangers while Martin O'Neill is about to take charge his twenty-eighth.
The outcome today may substantially affect on how long O'Neill's return as temporary Celtic manager continues, as Ewan Murray has been pondering.
Celtic could pay five million pounds in compensation to persuade Kieran McKenna from Ipswich Town. They may attempt an even bigger gamble involving Robbie Keane. The title holders could decide to provide Club Brugge's Nicky Hayen a first taste in British football. These constitute chances to varying degrees. More than O'Neill? This is arguable.
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 preferred to Kieran Tierney in the left-back position. James Forrest is additionally excluded from the starting lineup that overcame Falkirk in their recent match.
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 receives preference over Max Aarons on the right, featuring Mohamed Diomande for the suspended Connor Barron in central areas and Thelo Aasgaard chosen over Mikey Moore in offensive positions.
Match Preview
Good afternoon and welcome to this Old Firm clash. It should be improved {than last time|compared to the previous meeting|versus
