This season, in two separate spells, O’Neill is unbeaten in three meetings with Rangers, winning in both cup competitions after extra time and drawing at Ibrox in the league.

In his first period at the club between 2000-05, O’Neill won 16 derbies, drawing three and losing eight.

Celtic are on a run of four successive league victories, while Rangers have lost their past two matches to fall off the pace.

However, Rangers did win on their last visit to Celtic Park in January when Wilfried Nancy was in charge of the hosts.

When quizzed about building momentum at the right time, O’Neill was cautious.

“I genuinely don’t know that,” he said. “The games that we’ve had have been difficult. So I’ve not tried to analyse that much about it. We’ve got over the line.

“But I think the Old Firm game looks after itself.”

Addressing his future, O’Neill replied “most likely” when asked if this would be his last derby game.

On his memories of the famous fixture, he added: “Just the intensity, the atmosphere itself, both at Celtic Park and at Ibrox. It really is phenomenal.

“The atmosphere at Ibrox where they scored two early on in the match, the place was really, really rocking, it compares to any atmosphere in Britain and probably in Europe.

“And I think that could be echoed on Sunday.”