Celtic v Rangers – Scottish League Cup Semi-Final Clash

Match Coverage

The players head out to a thunderous reception, Hampden divided in two into blue and green. To earn the chance to play St Mirren at this venue next month … it all kicks off.

Other Matches

Additional games: John Brewin provides live updates for West Ham vs Newcastle in the EPL; Yara El-Shaboury has all the latest from the initial games in the women's top division.

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

Match Officials

Nick Walsh takes charge today. He also refereed the 2024 cup final involving Celtic and Rangers and a continental game the previous campaign when he distributed four sending-offs and 12 yellows. Avoid challenging him.

Manager Insights

The German coach: Despite this being his debut in this fixture, the new Rangers manager has emphasized in recent days that he's familiar with being involved in other major rivalries in his coaching career, with Bayern Munich and Sheffield Wednesday.

I recall when Hansi Flick took over, our following match took place against Dortmund at our stadium. We triumphed 4-0. It is always a booster if you win such a game. As well, in England's second tier in the Sheffield derby, I was involved in that as well. I recognize the importance for the fans. This represents more than a simple match.

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

I have tremendous respect for such a managerial journey. I consider it consistently remarkable in this profession when you remain active for so many years in this field and achieve success.

I'm only starting out my coaching path. I have substantial work ahead to achieve similar status but the good thing is we start at 0-0, different generations and we'll observe what we can contribute through our squads in this game.

I'm incredibly enthusiastic. I've accumulated certain experiences but I expect a big, big one this Sunday. To be part of such a game, the stakes are extremely high. Victory means reaching the final, defeat means elimination. I think everything is on for an outstanding match.

Opposition Manager

The experienced boss: The Celtic interim manager has recently been recalling concerning his debut match against Rangers 25 years ago, the memorable 6-2 victory.

Well, replicating that may prove quite arduous, scoring six goals versus that team. I'd settle for an unattractive 1-0 win if we managed to secure it. Certain supporters approach and say to me: 'That was an amazing match', and they weren't even born. They relate to me their grandfathers and fathers were talking about it. It became a really pivotal match for our team, not only during that campaign, but possibly for sustained development.

The anxiety for approximately three days before, and then should you secure success, tremendous relief. And I think that's what the great Walter Smith often mentioned too, that relief outweighed other emotions. But they were fantastic fixtures really. It's still a fantastic fixture.

This represents an important match for our team. Honestly, don't conceal that fact. It's a semi-final encounter, it's an important game for our squad. Any Celtic-Rangers game is a big game, though especially considering the situation of the past few days, possibly even months, definitely.

Coaching Background

Two new managers leading their teams today yet there's a substantial disparity in Old Firm experience separating them. Danny Röhl encounters his inaugural as the Rangers boss while Martin O'Neill gets ready to manage his twenty-eighth.

This match's conclusion might significantly influence on the duration O'Neill's return as temporary Celtic manager continues, as Ewan Murray has reflected.

The club might spend five million pounds in compensation to persuade Kieran McKenna away from Ipswich. They might consider an even bigger gamble involving Robbie Keane. The Scottish champions might choose to offer Club Brugge manager Nicky Hayen an initial experience of British football. These represent risks to varying degrees. Even more than O'Neill? This is debatable.

Team Selections

Celtic FC (4-3-3): Schmeichel; Ralston, Trusty, Scales, Sarrachi; McGregor, Engels, Nygren; Maeda, Kenny, Tounekti.

Subs: Sinisalo, Balikwisha, Yang, Osmand, McCowan, Hatate, Murray, Forrest, Tierney.

Marcelo Sarrachi begins instead of Kieran Tierney on the left defensive flank. James Forrest is additionally excluded of the XI that overcame Falkirk in midweek.

Rangers (3-4-3): Butland; Djiga, Souttar, Cornelius; Tavernier, Diomande, Raskin, Meghoma; Aasgaard, Chermiti, Danilo.

Subs: Kelly, Aarons, Fernández, Rothwell, Antman, Moore, Gassama, Curtis, Miovski.

James Tavernier is selected instead of Max Aarons in the right flank position, including Mohamed Diomande taking Connor Barron's suspended place in central areas with Thelo Aasgaard favored to Mikey Moore in forward roles.

Match Preview

Greetings and welcome to the Old Firm. It's got to be better {than last time|compared to the previous meeting|versus