Mikael Lustig wants to taste the atmosphere for the first time from the pitch

Mikael Lustig desperate to experience the Old Firm game from the pitch this weekend when Rangers come to Parkhead on Sunday. The SPL title is not at stake but Lustig knows the all-important bragging rights will still be up for grabs and is keen to play his part. He said: "You always want to play in the derby and I would love to play this weekend but it's up to the gaffer. We still have a lot to play for even though we have the league title now, we don't just play for ourselves. This is a really big game for the fans as well so we will be giving 100%."
 
Lustig has been a spectator for the last two Old Firm derbies. He watched as Celtic beat Rangers 1-0 in a festive meeting before taking a place among the away support for last month's game at Ibrox, when Ally McCoist's men ran out 3-2 winners. Lustig added: "I was in the stand watching the first game and it was amazing. I heard the derby would be really special. When Henrik Larsson was at Celtic they showed the derbies back in Sweden so I had seen the games before and I knew about them - but it was even more special than I had imagined. It was the first time Celtic had beaten Rangers this season and they went ahead of them in the table so I have good memories from that night."
 
Lustig signed a pre-season contract in November last year before being eligible to play from 1 January. He ha since been hampered by injuries, before being able to force his way into manager Neil Lennon's plans once fully fit. With four games under his belt, Lustig is relishing the prospect of experiencing the Parkhead atmosphere again after making his home debut against St Johnstone earlier in this month. He said: "It was a good atmosphere that afternoon and I thought the Celtic fans were really good. The defence was really good in the first half of that game but offensively we lacked a bit. It was nice to win but it was one of those games in a season where you have to grind out a result. It was special to be playing in front of our home fans for the first time and it's a part of my career that I will never forget. I was standing in the tunnel waiting to go out and play in front of them all, but it was okay, I'm confident in my own game so I wasn't nervous. It was a full stadium and that gives you an idea of what it could be like next season if we qualify for the Champions League. I've heard the European nights here are amazing so I hope I can be a part of it if it comes around."