Celtic v Rangers FC – Scottish League Cup Semi-Final Clash

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The squads take the field into the noise, Hampden Park split down the middle into blue and green. To earn the chance to meet St Mirren FC here next month … here we go.

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Additional games: John Brewin provides live updates for West Ham v Newcastle in the EPL; Yara El-Shaboury brings the newest developments from the early kick-offs in the women's top division.

As for us, we're only five minutes away before the start at the national stadium!

Officiating Team

Nick Walsh is the man in the middle today. He previously officiated last year's Scottish Cup final between Celtic and Rangers plus a European fixture the previous campaign where he showed four red cards and 12 yellows. Avoid challenging him.

Dugout Views

The German coach: Despite this being his debut in this fixture, the fresh-faced gaffer has emphasized recently that he's used to taking part in other significant derbies in his coaching career, during his time at Bayern and Sheffield Wednesday.

I recollect when Hansi Flick took over, our second game took place against Dortmund at our stadium. We triumphed 4-0. It consistently offers motivation if you win such a game. Additionally, in the Championship in the Steel derby, I was involved in that as well. I know what it means for the fans. This represents more than a simple match.

The German manager has been complimenting 73-year-old Martin O'Neill's longevity.

I have tremendous respect for such a managerial journey. I think it is always great in this profession when you sustain your career over decades in this field and achieve success.

I am just at the beginning my professional journey. There's much work remaining to come to this point but the good thing is we start at 0-0, different generations and let's see what we can bring via our selections in this game.

I am very 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. You win, you go into the final, you lose, you're out. I feel all elements converge for an outstanding match.

Counterpart Perspective

The experienced boss: The temporary Celtic boss has been reflecting this week concerning his debut match with Rangers two and a half decades past, the famous 6-2 demolition.

Well, replicating that could be very challenging, scoring six goals against those opponents. I'd settle for a scrappy single-goal triumph should we achieve it. Various individuals tell me and inform me: 'That was a fantastic encounter', though they weren't alive then. They inform me their grandfathers and fathers were talking about it. It transformed into a crucial game for our club, not merely in that term, but probably for continuing on.

The tension for nearly 72 hours beforehand, and then should you secure success, significant comfort. And I think that's what the legendary Walter Smith frequently stated similarly, that it was relief more than anything else. Yet these represented superb matches truly. It continues to be a superb rivalry.

This represents an important match for our team. Honestly, don't conceal that fact. It's a last-four clash, it's an important game for us. Any Celtic-Rangers game is a big game, however specifically because of the situation of the recent days, if not recent weeks, certainly.

Managerial Experience

Two different coaches on the sidelines this afternoon but there's a big gap in derby experience among them. Danny Röhl is experiencing his first as Rangers manager whereas Martin O'Neill prepares to oversee his twenty-eighth.

Today's result could have a major impact regarding the tenure O'Neill's comeback as stand-in Celtic coach continues, as Ewan Murray has reflected.

Celtic could pay substantial compensation to coax Kieran McKenna from Ipswich Town. They might consider a larger risk involving Robbie Keane. The Scottish champions might choose to offer Nicky Hayen from Club Brugge a first taste in British football. These represent risks in their own way. More than 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 starts preferred to Kieran Tierney at left-back. James Forrest also drops out from the starting lineup that defeated Falkirk in their recent match.

Rangers (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 is selected instead of Max Aarons on the right side, featuring Mohamed Diomande taking Connor Barron's suspended place in central areas and Thelo Aasgaard preferred to Mikey Moore in forward roles.

Match Preview

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