Matt O’Riley reckons a hostile Hampden will be even more wild than spine-tingling Celtic Park when his team collide with Rangers in April's Scottish Cup semi showdown.
The playmaker was lost for words after the 3-0 derby demolition at a pulsating Parkhead in January as 60,000 punters partied while their rival fans were shut out.
Hampden is set for a 50-50 ticket split and O’Riley reckons the Hampden heat will make the clash of the big guns even more intense.
But former MK Dons ace helped book the last four berth with the 3-0 win at Dundee United on Monday and he said: “I’m actually really looking forward to that 50-50 split. It will probably create an even better atmosphere – with a bit of hostility towards both teams.
“I enjoy it, that’s what I buzz off," he said.
“We’ll be ready for it when the games come around.
“These are the games I look forward to most. They are the games you are under the most pressure, you have to demand the most from yourself and the team.
“I’m really looking forward to it.
“It should be good at Hampden. I’ve watched the cup final highlights from last time and I’ve seen how crazy the stadium looked.
“I’m definitely excited about it.”
Premier Sports Cup winners Celtic have a Treble in their sights with a three point lead at the top of the Premiership and the Scottish Cup at the business end.
O’Riley is determined to remain focused on Ross County in the league this weekend but it’s impossible to ignore the prospect of an epic April that could include THREE showdowns with their fierce foes.
Celtic head to Ibrox on league duty on April 3 and they rivals square up at Hampden two weeks later.
They could meet again soon after with the clubs likely to be paired up early after the split and O’Riley will relish the challenge.
When asked about embracing the unique situation, he said: “You’re not wrong. But these are the games we are all buzzing to play in. It’s really enjoyable.
“For myself, I just love playing in that atmosphere where it’s bouncing. It makes you want to play better.”
O’Riley won’t be fazed by the Old Firm cauldron after being inspired by it last time.
The youngster revealed his parents could hardly believe what they saw at Parkhead when they were in the stands last time the sides collided and he’s out for more of the same.
O’Riley said: “It was spine-tingling last time. I spoke to a few people and they said it was probably one of the craziest Celtic vs Rangers atmospheres there’s been, which was pretty cool.
“I was grateful to be part of it.
“I don’t think you understand how crazy it is unless you are in the stadium. It looks amazing on TV but It’s not until you are in there.
“My mum and dad were in the stadium and they were thinking, ‘Wow, this is crazy’.
“It has to inspire you to want more. That’s why we play football. The fans make it what it is.
“We all played numerous games during that lockdown period and it just wasn’t the same.
“You are obviously up for every game but when you have the fans behind you, it gives you that extra 10 percent.”
