Celtic FC against Rangers – Scottish League Cup Semi-Final

Live Updates

The teams emerge to a thunderous reception, Hampden separated evenly with blue and green sections. To earn the chance to meet St Mirren FC here next month … the action begins.

Additional Fixtures

More matches: John Brewin offers real-time commentary for the West Ham-Newcastle clash in the EPL; Yara El-Shaboury delivers fresh updates from the early kick-offs in the Women's Super League.

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

Match Officials

Nick Walsh is the man in the middle this afternoon. He previously officiated the 2024 Scottish Cup final involving Celtic and Rangers and a Europa League match last season when he distributed four dismissals and twelve cautions. Avoid challenging him.

Dugout Views

Danny Röhl: Despite this being his debut in this fixture, the new Rangers manager has stated clearly recently that he's accustomed to participating in other important local clashes during his managerial journey, with Bayern Munich and with Sheffield Wednesday.

I recollect when Hansi Flick took over, our subsequent fixture was at home against Dortmund. We won 4-0. It always provides a lift if you win such a game. Furthermore, in England's second tier in the Steel derby, I was also part [of it] there. I recognize the importance among the followers. This transcends ordinary football.

The young coach has been complimenting the enduring career of 73-year-old Martin O'Neill.

I feel a big respect for such a managerial journey. I consider it consistently remarkable as a manager when you work so long in this field and you are successful.

I'm only starting out of my career. I have substantial work ahead to reach that level though the encouraging factor we commence evenly matched, different generations and we'll observe what we can contribute with our teams in this game.

I am very excited. I have had some experience though I anticipate a massive occasion during Sunday's match. To participate in such a match, the stakes are extremely high. You win, you go into the final, defeat means elimination. I think everything is on for an outstanding match.

Opposition Manager

The Celtic manager: The stand-in manager has this week been reminiscing about his first meeting versus their rivals a quarter-century ago, the memorable 6-2 victory.

Now, repeating that performance might be extremely difficult, netting six times against those opponents. I would take a scrappy single-goal triumph if we managed to secure it. Various individuals tell me and mention to me: 'That was a fantastic encounter', and they weren't even born. They inform me their ancestors and parents spoke about it regularly. It transformed into a crucial game for our club, not just that season, but likely for future progress.

The nervousness for about 72 hours beforehand, and then if you got the result, tremendous relief. And I feel that's precisely the legendary Walter Smith frequently stated similarly, that it was relief more than anything else. Yet these represented superb matches truly. It remains a wonderful encounter.

This is a big game for our club. Really, don't disguise that at all. It's a last-four clash, it's a big match for our squad. Any Celtic-Rangers game constitutes a significant occasion, but particularly given the situation of recent times, if not recent weeks, certainly.

Coaching Background

Two different coaches leading their teams today yet there's a substantial disparity in Old Firm experience separating them. Danny Röhl is experiencing his first leading Rangers while Martin O'Neill is about to take charge his twenty-eighth.

The outcome today may substantially affect on how long O'Neill's second spell as stand-in Celtic coach lasts, as Ewan Murray has reflected.

Celtic could pay five million pounds in compensation to persuade Kieran McKenna from Ipswich. They could take a larger risk on Robbie Keane. The reigning champions might choose to offer Nicky Hayen from Club Brugge a debut opportunity of British football. These are all gambles to varying degrees. More than O'Neill? This is arguable.

First XIs

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 starts preferred to Kieran Tierney on the left defensive flank. James Forrest is also omitted from the first team that beat Falkirk during the week.

Rangers FC (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 receives preference instead of Max Aarons in the right flank position, featuring Mohamed Diomande for the suspended Connor Barron in the middle and Thelo Aasgaard chosen to Mikey Moore in attack.

Match Preview

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