Rangers defender David Weir has experienced more big occasions than most footballers can only dream of but the 36-year-old admits he cannot wait for his Old Firm debut.
The former Everton centre-back has played 52 times for Scotland and won the Scottish Cup with Hearts.
But Sunday night's derby clash at Celtic Park is something the boyhood Rangers fan has always been desperate to sample.
"I'm really excited," he said. "I've heard a lot about it from other players.
"When you grow up as a Rangers supporter it's the game everyone looks for.
"I've been and watched a few games, but getting the opportunity to play in it will be special.
"I went to four or five both at Celtic Park and Ibrox. They are all a spectacle and a big occasion.
"But being a player is different. People who have played it have stressed the magnitude of it.
"Until you step out there and sample it yourself you probably can't really appreciate it."
The centre-back has played in derby games in Edinburgh and Liverpool but he feels this match will bring something different.
"There's a lot of feeling in both of those games but everyone seems to say this is the pinnacle," he added.
Weir could be joined by Kevin Thomson and Ugo Ehiogu in making their Old Firm debuts, but the presence of Walter Smith and Ally McCoist adds a wealth of experience to the Gers dressing room from Paul Le Guen's period in charge.
Smith once went nine games unbeaten against Celtic in his first spell in charge at Ibrox in the 1990s, and his assistant McCoist scored 27 goals against the Hoops.
Weir agrees such experience of success in the Glasgow derby is a boost to the players.
"It is, I've got to be honest, the fact that they know so much about it and have experienced so much, there won't be a lot left to chance," he said.
"I'm sure they will instil in everyone the importance of the game and hopefully that will be a big factor."
Former Everton boss Smith signed Weir for the second time in January on a short-term contract but the defender is not looking beyond Sunday, never mind the summer.
He said: "I'm enjoying every day training here and playing for a club like Rangers. I'm just concentrating on making the most of it.
"At the end of the season I'll look at my options - if I have any - and take it from there.
"I'm concentrating on the next game, I've always been like that throughout my career, I don't want to be side-tracked."
But Sunday night's derby clash at Celtic Park is something the boyhood Rangers fan has always been desperate to sample.
"I'm really excited," he said. "I've heard a lot about it from other players.
"When you grow up as a Rangers supporter it's the game everyone looks for.
"I've been and watched a few games, but getting the opportunity to play in it will be special.
"I went to four or five both at Celtic Park and Ibrox. They are all a spectacle and a big occasion.
"But being a player is different. People who have played it have stressed the magnitude of it.
"Until you step out there and sample it yourself you probably can't really appreciate it."
The centre-back has played in derby games in Edinburgh and Liverpool but he feels this match will bring something different.
"There's a lot of feeling in both of those games but everyone seems to say this is the pinnacle," he added.
Weir could be joined by Kevin Thomson and Ugo Ehiogu in making their Old Firm debuts, but the presence of Walter Smith and Ally McCoist adds a wealth of experience to the Gers dressing room from Paul Le Guen's period in charge.
Smith once went nine games unbeaten against Celtic in his first spell in charge at Ibrox in the 1990s, and his assistant McCoist scored 27 goals against the Hoops.
Weir agrees such experience of success in the Glasgow derby is a boost to the players.
"It is, I've got to be honest, the fact that they know so much about it and have experienced so much, there won't be a lot left to chance," he said.
"I'm sure they will instil in everyone the importance of the game and hopefully that will be a big factor."
Former Everton boss Smith signed Weir for the second time in January on a short-term contract but the defender is not looking beyond Sunday, never mind the summer.
He said: "I'm enjoying every day training here and playing for a club like Rangers. I'm just concentrating on making the most of it.
"At the end of the season I'll look at my options - if I have any - and take it from there.
"I'm concentrating on the next game, I've always been like that throughout my career, I don't want to be side-tracked."
Copyright (c) Press Association
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