🔗 Share this article

Match Coverage

The teams emerge amid the roar, Hampden Park separated evenly into blue and green. For the opportunity to meet St Mirren in this stadium next month … it all kicks off.

Other Football

More matches: John Brewin offers real-time commentary for West Ham vs Newcastle in England's top flight; Yara El-Shaboury brings the newest developments from the early kick-offs in the Women's Super League.

Regarding our coverage, approximately five minutes remain until kick-off at Hampden Park!

Match Officials

Nick Walsh is the man in the middle today. He previously officiated the 2024 cup final between Celtic and Rangers plus a European fixture last season where he showed four sending-offs and 12 yellows. Avoid challenging him.

Manager Insights

Danny Röhl: Despite this being his debut in this fixture, the recently appointed boss has stated clearly recently that he's familiar with participating in other important local clashes as a coach, during his time at Bayern and with Sheffield Wednesday.

I can remember when Hansi Flick assumed control, our subsequent fixture was versus Dortmund at home. We won 4-0. It is always a booster when you triumph in such matches. Furthermore, in the Championship during the Steel City derby, I was also part [of it] there. I understand the significance among the followers. This is more than just a game.

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

I feel a big respect for such a coaching career. I consider it consistently remarkable as a manager when you work so long in this industry and accomplish your objectives.

I'm merely commencing of my career. There's much work remaining to reach that level but the good thing is we commence evenly matched, distinct coaching generations and we'll discover what we can bring via our selections in this encounter.

I'm incredibly enthusiastic. I've gained some experience yet I foresee a massive occasion on Sunday. To be part of such a game, the stakes are extremely high. You win, you go into the final, defeat means elimination. I think everything is on for an outstanding match.

Rival Coach

The experienced boss: The stand-in manager has recently been recalling regarding his initial encounter versus their rivals a quarter-century ago, the 6-2 'Demolition Derby'.

Well, replicating that could be very challenging, scoring six goals against that side. I'd settle for a really lousy 1-0 victory should we achieve it. Various individuals tell me and say to me: 'That was a great game', and they weren't even born. They inform me their family members spoke about it regularly. It transformed into a crucial game for our club, not merely in that term, but probably for continuing on.

The tension for nearly 72 hours beforehand, and then should you secure success, tremendous relief. And I think that's what the great Walter Smith frequently stated similarly, that relief outweighed other emotions. Yet these represented superb matches truly. It continues to be a superb rivalry.

This represents an important match for our club. Honestly, don't conceal that fact. It's a semi-final, it's a crucial contest for our squad. Every Old Firm match is a big game, however specifically because of the situation of the past few days, if not weeks, absolutely.

Dugout History

Two fresh managers in the dugouts today though there's a significant difference in rivalry knowledge among them. Danny Röhl encounters his inaugural as Rangers manager whereas Martin O'Neill prepares to oversee his twenty-eighth.

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

They could potentially invest five million pounds in compensation to persuade Kieran McKenna from Ipswich. They could take a larger risk with Robbie Keane. The reigning champions could decide to provide Club Brugge manager Nicky Hayen a first taste in British football. These are all gambles to varying degrees. Beyond O'Neill? This remains questionable.

Team Selections

Celtic FC (4-3-3): Schmeichel; Ralston, Trusty, Scales, Sarrachi; McGregor, Engels, Nygren; Maeda, Kenny, Tounekti.

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

Marcelo Sarrachi features preferred to Kieran Tierney at left-back. James Forrest also drops out of the XI that overcame 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 is selected ahead of Max Aarons on the right, including Mohamed Diomande taking Connor Barron's suspended place in central areas with Thelo Aasgaard favored over Mikey Moore in forward roles.

Match Preview

Hello and welcome to this Old Firm clash. It should be improved {than last time|compared to the previous meeting|versus