Celtic FC against Rangers FC – Scottish League Cup Last-Four Showdown

Match Coverage

The teams emerge amid the roar, Hampden separated evenly between blue and green. To earn the chance to face St Mirren FC in this stadium in December … here we go.

Other Matches

More matches: John Brewin offers real-time commentary for West Ham vs Newcastle in the EPL; Yara El-Shaboury brings the newest developments from the day's opening matches in the Women's Super League.

As for us, we're only five minutes away before the game begins at Hampden Park!

Officiating Team

Nick Walsh takes charge this match. He was also the referee for the 2024 Scottish Cup final between Celtic and Rangers plus a European fixture last season where he showed four red cards and twelve cautions. Steer clear of confrontation.

Coaching Perspectives

The German coach: Despite this being his debut in this fixture, the fresh-faced gaffer has emphasized this week that he's accustomed to taking part in other significant derbies as a coach, during his time at Bayern plus his stint at Wednesday.

I can remember during Hansi Flick's appointment, our subsequent fixture was at home against Dortmund. We secured a 4-0 victory. It always provides a lift following success in these encounters. Additionally, in England's second tier in the Steel derby, I participated there too. I understand the significance for the fans. This represents more than a simple match.

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

I feel a big respect for such a coaching career. I consider it consistently remarkable for a coach when you sustain your career over decades in this industry and accomplish your objectives.

I am just at the beginning my coaching path. I have a lot of work to do to reach that level however the positive aspect we start at 0-0, different generations and let's see what we can contribute via our selections in this fixture.

I'm incredibly enthusiastic. I've gained some experience though I anticipate a big, big one during Sunday's match. To be involved in this fixture, everything is at stake. Victory means reaching the final, you lose, you're out. I think everything is on for an outstanding match.

Rival Coach

The Celtic manager: The stand-in manager has recently been recalling regarding his initial encounter against Rangers a quarter-century ago, the famous 6-2 demolition.

Now, repeating that performance may prove quite arduous, putting six past them against that side. I'd settle for a scrappy single-goal triumph if we could get it. Various individuals tell me and mention to me: 'That was an amazing match', despite not being born at the time. They inform me their ancestors and parents discussed it frequently. It became a really pivotal match for our club, not merely in that term, but possibly for sustained development.

The tension for nearly 72 hours before, and subsequently if you achieved victory, significant comfort. And I believe that's exactly the renowned Walter Smith used to say about it as well, that relief outweighed other emotions. However these were magnificent contests truly. It remains a wonderful encounter.

This constitutes a significant fixture for us. Truthfully, don't hide that reality. It's a last-four clash, it's a big match for us. Each encounter between these rivals constitutes a significant occasion, though especially considering the situation of the recent days, if not weeks, certainly.

Dugout History

Two new managers in the dugouts today though there's a significant difference in derby experience among them. Danny Röhl faces his debut leading Rangers while Martin O'Neill gets ready to manage his twenty-eighth.

The outcome today may substantially affect on how long O'Neill's comeback as (interim, for now) Celtic boss persists, as Ewan Murray has reflected.

The club might spend five million pounds in compensation to lure Kieran McKenna from Ipswich Town. They may attempt an even bigger gamble involving Robbie Keane. The Scottish champions may opt to give Nicky Hayen from Club Brugge a first taste within British soccer. These represent risks in different manners. Beyond O'Neill? This is arguable.

Team Selections

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 in the left-back position. James Forrest also drops out from the first team that beat 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 over Max Aarons in the right flank position, featuring Mohamed Diomande taking Connor Barron's suspended place in midfield with Thelo Aasgaard favored over Mikey Moore in attack.

Opening Context

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