Celtic against Rangers FC – Scottish League Cup Semi-Final

Live Updates

The teams emerge to a thunderous reception, Hampden Park divided in two between blue and green. To earn the chance to face St Mirren in this stadium this December … here we go.

Additional Fixtures

Additional games: John Brewin provides live updates for West Ham v Newcastle in the EPL; Yara El-Shaboury has all the latest from the initial games in the WSL.

Turning to this match, approximately five minutes remain before the start at the national stadium!

Officiating Team

Nick Walsh takes charge today. He also refereed last year's Scottish Cup final involving Celtic and Rangers and a continental game last season when he distributed four sending-offs and 12 yellows. Steer clear of confrontation.

Dugout Views

The German coach: Although this marks his initial Old Firm, the fresh-faced gaffer has emphasized this week that he's familiar with participating in other significant derbies as a coach, at Bayern Munich plus his stint at Wednesday.

I recollect when Hansi Flick assumed control, our second game was at home against Dortmund. We secured a 4-0 victory. It is always a booster when you triumph in such matches. Furthermore, in England's second tier during the Steel City derby, I participated there too. I understand the significance among the followers. This represents more than a simple match.

The German manager has been complimenting Martin O'Neill's lengthy tenure at 73.

I have tremendous respect for such a coaching career. I believe it's always impressive in this profession when you remain active for so many years in this business and accomplish your objectives.

I'm merely commencing of my career. I have a lot of work to do to come to this point however the positive aspect we commence evenly matched, different generations and we'll discover what we can demonstrate via our selections in this game.

I'm incredibly enthusiastic. I have had some experience but I expect a massive occasion on Sunday. To participate in such a match, it's all or nothing. You win, you go into the final, defeat means elimination. I think everything is on for a magnificent contest.

Counterpart Perspective

The Celtic manager: The Celtic interim manager has this week been reminiscing regarding his initial encounter with Rangers 25 years ago, the famous 6-2 demolition.

Now, repeating that performance might be extremely difficult, putting six past them versus that team. I would accept a scrappy single-goal triumph if we managed to secure it. Various individuals tell me and mention to me: 'That was a great game', though they weren't alive then. They relate to me their ancestors and parents were talking about it. It transformed into a crucial game for our team, not merely in that term, but likely for future progress.

The anxiety for approximately three days before, and then should you secure success, tremendous relief. And I believe that's exactly the legendary Walter Smith frequently stated similarly, that it was relief more than anything else. Yet these represented superb matches genuinely. It's still a fantastic fixture.

This constitutes a significant fixture for us. Honestly, don't conceal that fact. It's a last-four clash, it's a big match for us. Any Celtic-Rangers game represents a major event, however specifically because of the situation of recent times, if not recent weeks, absolutely.

Managerial Experience

Two new managers leading their teams today yet there's a substantial disparity in derby experience among them. Danny Röhl encounters his inaugural as Rangers manager whereas Martin O'Neill prepares to oversee his twenty-eighth.

This match's conclusion could have a major impact 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 might consider a larger risk with Robbie Keane. The title holders could decide to provide Club Brugge manager Nicky Hayen an initial experience within British soccer. These constitute chances in their own way. 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.

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

Marcelo Sarrachi features preferred to Kieran Tierney in the left-back position. James Forrest is additionally excluded of the XI that overcame 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 receives preference instead of Max Aarons on the right, featuring Mohamed Diomande taking Connor Barron's suspended place in central areas with Thelo Aasgaard favored over Mikey Moore in attack.

Preamble

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