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The teams emerge to a thunderous reception, Hampden separated evenly with blue and green sections. For the right to play St Mirren in this stadium next month … it all kicks off.

Additional Fixtures

More matches: John Brewin provides live updates for the West Ham-Newcastle clash 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 Hampden!

Match Officials

Nick Walsh is the man in the middle this afternoon. He was also the referee for the 2024 Scottish Cup final between Celtic and Rangers and a Europa League match last season during which he issued four dismissals and a dozen bookings. Steer clear of confrontation.

Dugout Views

The Rangers manager: Despite this being his debut in this fixture, the fresh-faced gaffer has made it clear in recent days that he's used to taking part in other significant derbies as a coach, at Bayern Munich and with Sheffield Wednesday.

I can remember when Hansi Flick took over, our second game took place against Dortmund at our stadium. We triumphed 4-0. It always provides a lift when you triumph in such matches. Furthermore, in the Championship during the Steel City derby, I was involved in that as well. I recognize the importance for the fans. This is more than just a game.

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

I hold great admiration for such a managerial journey. I believe it's always impressive as a manager when you remain active for so many years in this business and you are successful.

I am just at the beginning of my career. I have substantial work ahead to reach that level but the good thing is we begin level, different generations and let's see what we can bring via our selections in this encounter.

I am very excited. I've gained some experience yet I foresee an enormous event on Sunday. To participate in such a match, the stakes are extremely high. You win, you go into the final, a loss ends your participation. I believe all factors align for an outstanding match.

Counterpart Perspective

The Celtic manager: The stand-in manager has recently been recalling regarding his initial encounter with Rangers two and a half decades past, the 6-2 'Demolition Derby'.

Now, repeating that performance might be extremely difficult, putting six past them against that side. I'd settle for a really lousy 1-0 victory should we achieve it. Some lads come up and inform me: 'That was a fantastic encounter', though they weren't alive then. They tell me their grandfathers and fathers were talking about it. It became a really pivotal match for us, not just that season, but probably for continuing on.

The tension for nearly 72 hours before, and then if you got the result, significant comfort. And I believe that's exactly the great Walter Smith frequently stated similarly, that comfort surpassed other feelings. Yet these represented superb matches truly. It continues to be a superb rivalry.

This constitutes a significant fixture for our team. Really, don't disguise that at all. It's a semi-final encounter, it's a crucial contest for us. Each encounter between these rivals constitutes a significant occasion, but particularly given the situation of recent times, if not weeks, definitely.

Managerial Experience

Two new managers on the sidelines this afternoon though there's a significant difference in rivalry knowledge among them. Danny Röhl faces his debut as Rangers manager while Martin O'Neill is about to take charge his twenty-eighth.

The outcome today could have a major impact regarding the tenure O'Neill's second spell as temporary Celtic manager lasts, as Ewan Murray has been pondering.

They could potentially invest five million pounds in compensation to coax Kieran McKenna away from Ipswich. They may attempt a larger risk involving Robbie Keane. The reigning champions might choose to offer Club Brugge's Nicky Hayen a first taste of British football. These constitute chances in different manners. More than O'Neill? This remains questionable.

First XIs

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 ahead of Kieran Tierney in the left-back position. James Forrest is additionally excluded of the XI that defeated 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 midfield with Thelo Aasgaard favored to Mikey Moore in attack.

Opening Context

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