Celtic striker Anthony Stokes is relishing the next instalment of the Old Firm derby and is optimistic of success for the Clydesdale Bank Premier League leaders.
Parkhead hosts the second of four Old Firm derbies between Celtic and Rangers in little more than a month, with Sunday's game crucial in the title race. Stokes, who has played in the Edinburgh and Tyne-Wear derbies, said nothing compares to when the Hoops meet the Gers.
"It's just the atmosphere and the rivalry between the two clubs," the 22-year-old told Celtic View.
"I think it's a completely different game - the pace is more frantic and the tackles are harder.
"It's probably the atmosphere that changes everything about it.
"I think the first 10-15 minutes are always hectic. It can be a bit scrappy at times, there are always tackles flying in.
"I think you just need to try and settle into the game and then after 15-20 minutes, when everyone gets a second breath, it tends to settle down a bit. For 90 minutes, they are normally hectic anyway."
Celtic twice came from behind at Ibrox to claim a 2-2 Scottish Cup draw last week and face their rivals in the league and the Scottish Cup replay in the next two weeks before the Co-operative Insurance Cup final at Hampden on March 20.
"In all these big games, form goes out of the window," Stokes added.
"It will be a very tough game, but we have gone to Ibrox and played very well against them, so if we can do that at home with the crowd behind us, I think we should be confident of getting a good result."
Source: PA
