The highly anticipated encounter will be the first for City marquee Cahill.

Saturday night’s clash will be the first A-League game for the Aussie and Cahill isn’t expecting much love from the Melbourne Victory faithful.

“I’m not expecting a nice welcome. I don’t expect them to give me a clap,” Cahill told reporters at St Kilda beach on Tuesday.

“The same way they didn’t at Liverpool when I played there numerous times, the same as when I was at Millwall or in New York.

“That’s the beauty of the game we play. It’s part and parcel but at the same time, there would have been some Melbourne Victory supporters there last night supporting the Socceroos which I was part of.

“Whether it’s domestically, international it’s what comes with the territory.”

Cahill knows the importance of the fixture having participated in derbies around the world in Liverpool, Shanghai, and New York.

“Any derby that’s played the biggest thing is the fans. It’s having the keys to the city for your supporters it’s a big thing having to wake up the next morning a winner,” the Australian said.

“It’s the whole week having to live with the result. And trust me if you play with Everton or Millwall, you can’t go out for two weeks literally to put petrol in your car.

“It’s the same feeling I’m going to have going into this game.”

And while Cahill is no certainty to start the match following Socceroos duty, he said when called upon, he will be raring to go.

“I’m buzzing. Even last night coming on [against Japan] was an amazing feeling.

“Playing five minutes in Saudi, 25 minutes last night, I’ve been doing extras in camp anyway.

“I’m ready to go. It depends on team selection and the way we’re going to play, but I’m ready to go.”