Andy Halliday relishing big derby atmosphere as Rangers prepare for Celtic challenge

The 24-year-old cannot remember his first match against Celtic as a Rangers fan but he wants to look back on his debut as a player with fond memories.

Like most of his team-mates, Halliday will face Celtic for the first time on Sunday in the William Hill Scottish Cup semi-finals, and he knows his upbringing in the stands will not prepare him for life on the pitch.

“I have been asking people about it, I have been trying to tap into the knowledge of people like Ian Durrant and how they dealt with the fixture,” the former Livingston, Middlesbrough and Bradford player said.

“I have been trying to tap into as much knowledge as I can and I’m sure the other boys are the same.

“But nothing can really prepare you for it. You just have to deal with it in your own manner.

“I have watched a few but nothing will compare to being on the field.You can tap into as much knowledge as you can, and you hear the likes of Graeme Souness and Kenny Dalglish speaking about how they dealt with the cauldron like it is.

“But you have just got to try and deal with it. I have tried to shut myself and not speak about it too much and just try and look forward to the occasion.”

Meanwhile, Harry Forrester has been ruled out of Sunday’s game with a hairline fracture of his leg. The Gers attacker was substituted during the 4-0 Petrofac Training Cup final win over Peterhead.