SCOTT Sinclair has told Rangers supporters to bring the noise during Hogmanay's Old Firm match because he loves feeling the hate from opposing fans on derby day.
The Celtic winger, who scored in the Parkhead side's 5-1 victory against Mark Warburton's side in the East End back in September, is fit again after a hamstring problem and confirmed his worth to the team with the only goal against Partick Thistle on Tuesday night as Celtic moved 14 points clear at the top of the table with a game in hand.
While recapturing the Ladbrokes Premiership title already seems a forlorn hope for the Ibrox side, they will hope to land a blow on their rivals by becoming the first team to defeat them on domestic duty this season.
Read more: Prolific Sinclair targeting treble to make up for League Cup final injury woe
But Sinclair - a veteran of Swansea-Cardiff matches which were so highly charged that the authorities made them 11am kick-offs - feels that will only "make it sweeter" for Celtic if they can maintain the upper hand on their city rivals as the Scottish top flight heads into the winter break.
The Parkhead side have two matches on their crowded festive calendar to negotiate before then, away to Hamilton Accies on Christmas Eve, then at home to Ross County on Wednesday, but it is only natural if attention is turning to the Hogmanay showdown. The first Old Firm match to be staged at Ibrox since March 2012, the Parkhead side are sure to encounter a hostile environment on the other side of the city but Sinclair can hardly wait.
"It’s great for all footballers – the hatred and knowing that all the fans don’t like you," said Sinclair. "We will have all OUR fans behind us and that’s the whole point of being a footballer – that excitement and atmosphere when you go to stadiums like that.
Read more: Prolific Sinclair targeting treble to make up for League Cup final injury woe
“I played against Cardiff for Swansea but nothing compares to the derbies up here," he added. "I played home and away in the Welsh game and we had the early morning kick-offs but it doesn't come close to Celtic-Rangers.
“When I first played in it at Celtic Park, I could tell the Old Firm derby is a big occasion. You can’t hear the other players on the pitch, it’s so loud and hostile. You can’t even hear your team-mates but it’s great.
"Playing in front of our fans here is unbelievable too. It’s great to play in front of 50,000 to 60,000 and have them behind us, singing songs all night. There aren't many stadiums down south that size with that kind of atmosphere. They sing and jump about and I think it's great.
“But there is a difference with these types of games. They are massive - it’s such a big occasion. I think all the fans will be up for it. I’m sure it will be an experience and I am looking forward to every minute of it. We are taking each game as it comes and we will go into that one full of confidence.
"The manager has made changes and freshened things up, and we have the squad to do that [switch back on for the Old Firm match]. That [staying unbeaten with a win or a draw] would make it much more sweeter for us, especially going into the new year."
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