Celtic FC v Rangers – Scottish League Cup Semi-Final

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The players head out to a thunderous reception, Hampden Park split down the middle with blue and green sections. To earn the chance to meet St Mirren in this stadium in December … it all kicks off.

Additional Fixtures

Additional games: John Brewin is on our minute-by-minute coverage for the West Ham-Newcastle clash in the EPL; Yara El-Shaboury delivers fresh updates from the initial games in the Women's Super League.

Regarding our coverage, we're only five minutes away before the game begins at the national stadium!

Match Officials

Nick Walsh will referee this match. He previously officiated the 2024 cup final featuring these two rivals and a continental game last season where he showed four red cards and 12 yellows. Don't cross him.

Coaching Perspectives

Danny Röhl: Despite this being his debut in this fixture, the new Rangers manager has stated clearly in recent days that he's used to participating in other major rivalries in his coaching career, at Bayern Munich and with Sheffield Wednesday.

I recollect when Hansi Flick took over, our following match was at home against Dortmund. We won 4-0. It consistently offers motivation following success in these encounters. Additionally, in the Championship in the Sheffield derby, I was involved in that as well. I recognize the importance among the followers. This represents more than a simple match.

The young coach has also been lauding 73-year-old Martin O'Neill's longevity.

I hold great admiration for that type of coaching legacy. I believe it's always impressive in this profession when you remain active for so many years in this field and accomplish your objectives.

I'm only starting out of my career. There's much work remaining to come to this point however the positive aspect we begin level, separate eras and we'll observe what we can demonstrate via our selections in this fixture.

I'm tremendously excited. I've gained some experience yet I foresee a massive occasion on Sunday. To be involved in this fixture, the stakes are extremely high. You win, you go into the final, a loss ends your participation. I think everything is on for a great, great game.

Rival Coach

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

Certainly, matching that achievement could be very challenging, putting six past them versus that team. I would take a scrappy single-goal triumph if we could get it. Some lads come up and inform me: 'That was a fantastic encounter', despite not being born at the time. They relate to me their family members spoke about it regularly. It transformed into a crucial game for our club, not just that season, but probably for continuing on.

The nervousness for about 72 hours before, and then should you secure success, significant comfort. And I think that's what the renowned Walter Smith frequently stated similarly, that it was relief more than anything else. However these were magnificent contests truly. It remains a wonderful encounter.

This is a big game for our club. Really, don't disguise that at all. It's a semi-final encounter, it's a big match for our side. Any Celtic-Rangers game represents a major event, though especially considering the situation of recent times, if not weeks, definitely.

Managerial Experience

Two new managers in the dugouts today though there's a significant difference in derby experience separating them. Danny Röhl is experiencing his first as the Rangers boss while Martin O'Neill gets ready to manage of his 28th.

The outcome today might significantly influence on the duration O'Neill's comeback as stand-in Celtic coach continues, as Ewan Murray has reflected.

The club might spend substantial compensation to persuade Kieran McKenna away from Ipswich. They may attempt a larger risk on Robbie Keane. The reigning champions may opt to give Club Brugge's Nicky Hayen an initial experience in British football. These constitute chances in different manners. Beyond O'Neill? This is arguable.

First XIs

Celtic (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 in the left-back position. James Forrest is additionally excluded from the starting lineup 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 receives preference ahead of Max Aarons in the right flank position, with Mohamed Diomande coming in for the suspended Connor Barron in the middle and Thelo Aasgaard chosen over Mikey Moore in offensive positions.

Match Preview

Good afternoon and welcome to this derby match. It ought to be superior {than last time|compared to the previous meeting|versus