Celtic FC against Rangers FC – Scottish Cup Semi-Final Clash

Live Updates

The players head out into the noise, Hampden Park divided in two between blue and green. For the opportunity to face St Mirren here next month … here we go.

Additional Fixtures

Additional games: John Brewin is on our minute-by-minute coverage for West Ham vs Newcastle in the EPL; Yara El-Shaboury brings the newest developments from the initial games in the WSL.

Turning to this match, approximately five minutes remain until kick-off at the national stadium!

Officiating Team

Nick Walsh will referee today. He also refereed last year's Scottish Cup final involving Celtic and Rangers plus a European fixture in the last term where he showed four dismissals and 12 yellows. Avoid challenging him.

Dugout Views

Danny Röhl: Despite this being his debut in this fixture, the recently appointed boss has made it clear recently that he's familiar with participating in other major rivalries during his managerial journey, during his time at Bayern and Sheffield Wednesday.

I recall when Hansi Flick assumed control, our subsequent fixture took place against Dortmund at our stadium. We secured a 4-0 victory. It is always a booster when you triumph in such matches. As well, in the EFL Championship during the Steel City derby, I was involved in that as well. I know what it means to the supporters. This represents more than a simple match.

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

I hold great admiration for that type of coaching legacy. I think it is always great for a coach when you sustain your career over decades in this industry and you are successful.

I am just at the beginning of my career. I have a lot of work to do to achieve similar status however the positive aspect we start at 0-0, separate eras and let's see what we can bring with our teams in this game.

I'm tremendously excited. I've gained some experience yet I foresee a massive occasion this Sunday. To be part of such a game, everything is at stake. Victory means reaching the final, a loss ends your participation. I believe all factors align for a great, great game.

Counterpart Perspective

Martin O'Neill: The temporary Celtic boss has been reflecting this week concerning his debut match with Rangers 25 years ago, the famous 6-2 demolition.

Now, repeating that performance may prove quite arduous, scoring six goals against that side. I'd settle for an unattractive 1-0 win if we could get it. Some lads come up and mention to me: 'That was an amazing match', and they weren't even born. They tell me their family members discussed it frequently. It evolved into a decisive encounter for our team, not merely in that term, but probably for continuing on.

The tension for nearly 72 hours prior to the match, and subsequently if you achieved victory, a great relief. And I believe that's exactly the great Walter Smith frequently stated similarly, that comfort surpassed other feelings. Yet these represented superb matches really. 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 squad. Every Old Firm match constitutes a significant occasion, but particularly given the circumstances of the recent days, if not weeks, absolutely.

Coaching Background

Two new managers leading their teams today yet there's a substantial disparity in rivalry knowledge among them. Danny Röhl faces his debut leading Rangers whereas Martin O'Neill prepares to oversee his twenty-eighth.

The outcome today might significantly influence on the duration O'Neill's comeback as temporary Celtic manager lasts, as Ewan Murray has been pondering.

The club might spend substantial compensation to lure Kieran McKenna from Ipswich. They might consider an even bigger gamble involving Robbie Keane. The reigning champions may opt to give Club Brugge manager Nicky Hayen a first taste within British soccer. These are all gambles in their own way. Even more than O'Neill? This is debatable.

Team Selections

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 preferred to Kieran Tierney at left-back. James Forrest is additionally excluded from the starting lineup that beat Falkirk in their recent match.

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 instead of Max Aarons in the right flank position, including Mohamed Diomande taking Connor Barron's suspended place 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