Celtic versus Rangers FC – Scottish Cup Last-Four Showdown

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The squads take the field into the noise, Hampden split down the middle into blue and green. For the opportunity to meet St Mirren at this venue this December … it all kicks off.

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Other football: John Brewin offers real-time commentary for West Ham v Newcastle in the Premier League; Yara El-Shaboury has all the latest from the initial games in the WSL.

Regarding our coverage, approximately five minutes remain before the game begins at Hampden Park!

Officiating Team

Nick Walsh will referee this match. He also refereed the 2024 cup final involving Celtic and Rangers plus a European fixture the previous campaign when he distributed four dismissals and a dozen bookings. Steer clear of confrontation.

Manager Insights

Danny Röhl: Despite this being his debut in this fixture, the recently appointed boss has emphasized this week that he's familiar with taking part in other important local clashes during his managerial journey, with Bayern Munich and Sheffield Wednesday.

I can remember when Hansi Flick took over, our following match was at home against Dortmund. We triumphed 4-0. It always provides a lift following success in these encounters. Additionally, in the EFL Championship during the Steel City derby, I was involved in that as well. I know what it means among the followers. This represents more than a simple match.

The 36-year-old German has also been lauding Martin O'Neill's lengthy tenure at 73.

I feel a big respect for that type of coaching legacy. I think it is always great for a coach when you work so long in this business and achieve success.

I am just at the beginning of my career. There's much work remaining to achieve similar status though the encouraging factor we commence evenly matched, separate eras and we'll observe what we can demonstrate via our selections in this encounter.

I am very excited. I have had some experience though I anticipate a massive occasion during Sunday's match. To be involved in this fixture, everything is at stake. Success secures a final place, you lose, you're out. I think everything is on for a great, great game.

Rival Coach

The experienced boss: The stand-in manager has recently been recalling about his first meeting against Rangers a quarter-century ago, the 6-2 'Demolition Derby'.

Now, repeating that performance may prove quite arduous, netting six times versus that team. I'd settle for an unattractive 1-0 win if we managed to secure it. Various individuals tell me and mention to me: 'That was a great game', though they weren't alive then. They relate to me their grandfathers and fathers spoke about it regularly. It transformed into a crucial game for our club, not merely in that term, but likely for future progress.

The anxiety for approximately three days beforehand, and then should you secure success, a great relief. And I believe that's exactly the renowned Walter Smith used to say about it as well, that comfort surpassed other feelings. Yet these represented superb matches really. It continues to be a superb rivalry.

This represents an important match for our club. Really, don't disguise that at all. It's a last-four clash, it's an important game for us. Every Old Firm match represents a major event, though especially considering the situation of the past few days, possibly even months, definitely.

Managerial Experience

Two new managers on the sidelines this afternoon but there's a big gap in rivalry knowledge among them. Danny Röhl encounters his inaugural as the Rangers boss whereas Martin O'Neill prepares to oversee of his 28th.

This match's conclusion could have a major impact on how long O'Neill's second spell as temporary Celtic manager lasts, as Ewan Murray has reflected.

They could potentially invest substantial compensation to coax Kieran McKenna from Ipswich Town. They could take a larger risk involving Robbie Keane. The title holders may opt to give Nicky Hayen from Club Brugge an initial experience within British soccer. These are all gambles in their own way. Beyond O'Neill? This is debatable.

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 begins ahead of Kieran Tierney on the left defensive flank. James Forrest is additionally excluded from the first team that beat Falkirk during the week.

Rangers FC (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 gets the nod over Max Aarons in the right flank position, featuring Mohamed Diomande replacing the banned Connor Barron in central areas with Thelo Aasgaard favored over Mikey Moore in attack.

Match Preview

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