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Match Coverage

The players head out into the noise, Hampden Park split down the middle with blue and green sections. For the opportunity to face St Mirren FC here in December … here we go.

Additional Fixtures

Additional games: John Brewin provides live updates for West Ham v Newcastle in the Premier League; Yara El-Shaboury delivers fresh updates from the day's opening matches in the women's top division.

As for us, we're only five minutes away until kick-off at Hampden!

Match Officials

Nick Walsh will referee today. He was also the referee for the 2024 cup final featuring these two rivals and a continental game the previous campaign during which he issued four sending-offs and twelve cautions. Steer clear of confrontation.

Dugout Views

Danny Röhl: Despite this being his debut in this fixture, the recently appointed boss has made it clear this week that he's used to participating in other major rivalries as a coach, with Bayern Munich and with Sheffield Wednesday.

I recollect during Hansi Flick's appointment, our subsequent fixture was at home against Dortmund. We triumphed 4-0. It consistently offers motivation if you win such a game. As well, in the Championship in the Sheffield derby, I was involved in that as well. I understand the significance among the followers. This is more than just a game.

The 36-year-old German has been complimenting the enduring career of 73-year-old Martin O'Neill.

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 accomplish your objectives.

I'm merely commencing my coaching path. There's much work remaining to come to this point though the encouraging factor we begin level, different generations and we'll observe what we can contribute via our selections in this game.

I'm incredibly enthusiastic. I have had some experience yet I foresee a big, big one this Sunday. To be part of such a game, it's all or nothing. Success secures a final place, 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 regarding his initial encounter versus their rivals two and a half decades past, the 6-2 'Demolition Derby'.

Certainly, matching that achievement could be very challenging, netting six times against those opponents. I would accept a scrappy single-goal triumph if we managed to secure it. Some lads come up and inform me: 'That was an amazing match', and they weren't even born. They tell me their grandfathers and fathers spoke about it regularly. It evolved into a decisive encounter for our club, not just that season, but possibly for sustained development.

The tension for nearly 72 hours prior to the match, and subsequently if you achieved victory, tremendous relief. And I believe that's exactly the great Walter Smith used to say about it as well, that comfort surpassed other feelings. But they were fantastic fixtures genuinely. It remains a wonderful encounter.

This represents an important match for our club. Honestly, don't conceal that fact. It's a semi-final, it's an important game for our squad. Each encounter between these rivals constitutes a significant occasion, though especially considering the conditions of the past few days, if not weeks, absolutely.

Dugout History

Two new managers leading their teams today yet there's a substantial disparity in derby experience among them. Danny Röhl is experiencing his first as the Rangers boss whereas Martin O'Neill prepares to oversee his twenty-eighth.

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

They could potentially invest substantial compensation to persuade Kieran McKenna away from Ipswich. They could take a larger risk with Robbie Keane. The Scottish champions could decide to provide Nicky Hayen from Club Brugge an initial experience of British football. These constitute chances in their own way. Even more than O'Neill? This is debatable.

First XIs

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

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 gets the nod over Max Aarons on the right, including Mohamed Diomande taking Connor Barron's suspended place in midfield and Thelo Aasgaard chosen over Mikey Moore in forward roles.

Match Preview

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