Celtic against Rangers FC – Scottish Cup Last-Four Showdown

Match Coverage

The squads take the field into the noise, Hampden separated evenly between blue and green. For the opportunity to face St Mirren FC here this December … here we go.

Other Football

Additional games: John Brewin provides live updates for West Ham v Newcastle in England's top flight; Yara El-Shaboury delivers fresh updates from the initial games in the Women's Super League.

Turning to this match, we're only five minutes away before the game begins at the national stadium!

Referee Information

Nick Walsh is the man in the middle today. He previously officiated last year's Scottish Cup final involving Celtic and Rangers plus a European fixture the previous campaign during which he issued four dismissals and a dozen bookings. Steer clear of confrontation.

Coaching Perspectives

Danny Röhl: Although this marks his initial Old Firm, the new Rangers manager has emphasized in recent days that he's familiar with taking part in other important local clashes as a coach, during his time at Bayern and with Sheffield Wednesday.

I recall when Hansi Flick assumed control, our following match was at home against Dortmund. We triumphed 4-0. It always provides a lift when you triumph in such matches. As well, in England's second tier during the Steel City derby, I was also part [of it] there. I recognize the importance for the fans. This transcends ordinary football.

The young coach has been complimenting Martin O'Neill's lengthy tenure at 73.

I hold great admiration for that type of coaching legacy. I believe it's always impressive in this profession when you sustain your career over decades in this business and you are successful.

I'm only starting out my coaching path. There's much work remaining to reach that level though the encouraging factor we begin level, different generations and we'll discover what we can bring via our selections in this encounter.

I'm tremendously excited. I have had some experience though I anticipate a massive occasion during Sunday's match. To be part of such a game, everything is at stake. Success secures a final place, a loss ends your participation. I feel all elements converge for a magnificent contest.

Rival Coach

Martin O'Neill: The Celtic interim manager has been reflecting this week about his first meeting with Rangers a quarter-century ago, the memorable 6-2 victory.

Certainly, matching that achievement might be extremely difficult, netting six times against those opponents. I'd settle for an unattractive 1-0 win if we could get it. Certain supporters approach and inform me: 'That was a great game', despite not being born at the time. They relate to me their grandfathers and fathers discussed it frequently. It transformed into a crucial game for our club, not just that season, but likely for future progress.

The anxiety for approximately three days prior to the match, and then if you got the result, tremendous relief. And I feel that's precisely the legendary Walter Smith often mentioned too, that comfort surpassed other feelings. Yet these represented superb matches really. It remains a wonderful encounter.

This represents an important match for our team. Really, don't disguise that at all. It's a semi-final, it's a big match for our side. Each encounter between these rivals constitutes a significant occasion, however specifically because of the circumstances of recent times, if not weeks, definitely.

Managerial Experience

Two different coaches on the sidelines this afternoon yet there's a substantial disparity in derby experience between them. Danny Röhl faces his debut as Rangers manager whereas Martin O'Neill prepares to oversee his twenty-eighth.

The outcome today may substantially affect on how long O'Neill's return as temporary Celtic manager lasts, as Ewan Murray has been pondering.

The club might spend substantial compensation to coax Kieran McKenna from Ipswich. They might consider an even bigger gamble on Robbie Keane. The Scottish champions might choose to offer Club Brugge manager Nicky Hayen a first taste in British football. These represent risks to varying degrees. Even more than O'Neill? This is debatable.

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 instead of Kieran Tierney in the left-back position. James Forrest is also omitted from the first team that beat Falkirk in midweek.

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

Match Preview

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