While there can be no doubting the intensity of the atmosphere which this fixture can generate, especially when the destination of a trophy is at. stake, that claim now has a hollow ring.

It remains the biggest event in the Scottish football calendar, but Sky has made armchair experts of us all and shown that last night's Barcelona v Real Madrid fixture, in terms both of footballing quality and socio-political significance, knocks the Glasgow derby into a cocked hat.

Even so, it was something of a shock to discover that Celtic full-back Paul Telfer, who will make his seventh and possibly last appearance against Rangers this afternoon, doesn't see it as much more intense than his experience of the Hampshire derby between former club Southampton and Portsmouth.

"It's obviously the biggest game for Celtic in the league, but it's not as daft and frantic and crazy as everyone had told me it would be," said the 35-year-old. "I've played in a couple of other derbies and each one is built up as the main match of the season. It's bragging rights for the fans, really, and the players know what that means to them."

However, Telfer expressed his relief that Walter Smith's side will provide the opposition because he believes that anything less would have failed to motivate the league leaders.

"We couldn't have a better game because we'll need to raise ourselves," he said. "The fact that it's Rangers helps, because if it had been against one of the smaller clubs it might have been harder to get going again.

"I didn't watch Rangers play Osasuna, but some of the lads said that they hadn't been great. We know that if we win then the title is within touching distance and we don't want that to drag on and on. We want to win it as soon as possible."

Participation in the Champions League persuaded Telfer to persevere in Scotland after his wife and son returned to England, unable to settle. He savoured the experience but is at a loss as to how Celtic can make further progress in club football's most prestigious competition.

"It's hard to put your finger on," he said. "Celtic are 19 points ahead in the SPL so what is it we have to do? If it was so simple the manager would just go out and do it."

Telfer has more of an insight into Strachan than most, having played under him at Southampton and Coventry, and he claims that the manager is anxious to compete at the highest level.

"I'm sure Gordon will want to do even better next year," he said. "We exceeded expectations just by getting out of our group, given the company we were in. He loves coaching and he'll be thinking: 'If I get into that situation how do I deal with it differently?' He'll relish the challenge."