🔗 Share this article

Live Updates

The squads take the field into the noise, Hampden Park divided in two between blue and green. To earn the chance to face St Mirren FC here next month … here we go.

Additional Fixtures

More matches: 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.

Regarding our coverage, approximately five minutes remain before the game begins at the national stadium!

Referee Information

Nick Walsh will referee today. He also refereed the 2024 Scottish Cup final involving Celtic and Rangers and a continental game the previous campaign during which he issued four dismissals and a dozen bookings. Don't cross him.

Manager Insights

The Rangers manager: Despite this being his debut in this fixture, the recently appointed boss has emphasized in recent days that he's used to taking part in other significant derbies during his managerial journey, with Bayern Munich and with Sheffield Wednesday.

I recollect when Hansi Flick took over, our second game was versus Dortmund at home. We secured a 4-0 victory. It always provides a lift when you triumph in such matches. As well, in England's second tier in the Sheffield derby, I was also part [of it] there. I recognize the importance for the fans. This transcends ordinary football.

The German manager has been praising 73-year-old Martin O'Neill's longevity.

I hold great admiration for such a managerial journey. I think it is always great in this profession when you sustain your career over decades in this field and accomplish your objectives.

I'm merely commencing of my career. I have substantial work ahead to achieve similar status however the positive aspect we commence evenly matched, separate eras and we'll observe what we can bring through our squads in this game.

I am very excited. I have had some experience but I expect an enormous event on Sunday. To participate in such a match, everything is at stake. Victory means reaching the final, you lose, you're out. I believe all factors align for an outstanding match.

Opposition Manager

The experienced boss: The temporary Celtic boss has recently been recalling about his first meeting with Rangers two and a half decades past, the memorable 6-2 victory.

Well, replicating that may prove quite arduous, scoring six goals against that side. I'd settle for an unattractive 1-0 win should we achieve it. Certain supporters approach and inform me: 'That was a fantastic encounter', despite not being born at the time. They inform me their ancestors and parents discussed it frequently. It transformed into a crucial game for our team, not just that season, but possibly for sustained development.

The nervousness for about 72 hours before, and subsequently if you achieved victory, tremendous relief. And I think that's what the legendary Walter Smith frequently stated similarly, that comfort surpassed other feelings. However these were magnificent contests truly. It remains a wonderful encounter.

This constitutes a significant fixture for our team. Truthfully, don't hide that reality. It's a semi-final, it's a crucial contest for our squad. Any Celtic-Rangers game constitutes a significant occasion, however specifically because of the conditions of the past few days, possibly even months, definitely.

Dugout History

Two new managers in the dugouts today but there's a big gap in rivalry knowledge separating them. Danny Röhl faces his debut leading Rangers while Martin O'Neill gets ready to manage his twenty-eighth.

Today's result could have a major impact on the duration O'Neill's return as (interim, for now) Celtic boss lasts, as Ewan Murray has been pondering.

The club might spend five million pounds in compensation to persuade Kieran McKenna from Ipswich. They could take a larger risk with Robbie Keane. The Scottish champions may opt to give Nicky Hayen from Club Brugge a first taste in British football. These are all gambles in their own way. More than O'Neill? This is debatable.

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 begins ahead of Kieran Tierney on the left defensive flank. James Forrest also drops out from the first team that overcame Falkirk during the week.

Rangers (3-4-3): Butland; Djiga, Souttar, Cornelius; Tavernier, Diomande, Raskin, Meghoma; Aasgaard, Chermiti, Danilo.

Substitutes: Kelly, Aarons, Fernández, Rothwell, Antman, Moore, Gassama, Curtis, Miovski.

James Tavernier receives preference over Max Aarons on the right side, with Mohamed Diomande coming in replacing the banned Connor Barron in the middle and Thelo Aasgaard preferred over Mikey Moore in forward roles.

Opening Context

Good afternoon and welcome to this derby match. It's got to be better {than last time|compared to the previous meeting|versus