“Obviously fond memories; it was great. And it did give us a real springboard for that season.

“Some lads come up and say to me: ‘That was a great game’ – and they weren’t even born. They tell me their grandfathers and fathers were talking about it.

“It became a really pivotal match for us, not just that season, but probably for continuing on.

“I’m excited by the fixture, it’s always a great one, so I’m looking forward to it.

“There’s a nervousness for about 72 hours before and then, if you did get the result, it was a great relief. I think that’s what the great Walter Smith used to say about it, as well, that it was relief more than anything else.”

O’Neill, speaking to Celtic TV, continued: “I learned a great deal from the Falkirk game, which was great for us, so we’ll go into this game with that confidence and that’s the most important thing.

“Any Celtic-Rangers game is a big game, but particularly given the circumstances of recent days, if not weeks, it really is.”

Asked about the current injury situation, the caretaker team chief added: “Kelechi’s Iheanacho is doing fine at this minute....