The manager knows that it is a big occasion, and told Celtic TV in an exclusive interview that it’s one he and his players are looking forward to.

“It’s a cup semi-final so there’s meaning on the end of it, there’s consequences on the end of it,” he said.

'Every cup game you play, if you want to progress you’ve got to perform on the day and you’ve got to get the job done on the day.'

“There’s no second chances, particularly in a semi-final, so it’s going to be a tight game, it’s going to be an unbelievable atmosphere.

“The players know the occasion – I don’t have to disguise or dress it up in any other way than it’s going to be a massive game with massive consequences, and it’s exactly where we want to be.

“It’s going to be a different experience, a bit of a unique one, and again, something to embrace and experience,” the Celtic manager said of the 50-50 crowd split at the National Stadium.

'It’s what we all want to be involved in. We want to be involved in these kind of games where, at the end of it, hopefully you’re making memories that will last beyond your own lifetimes.'

“So, that’s the opportunity which exists and that’s the one we’re looking forward to.”

Celtic go into the game on the back of consecutive Glasgow derby wins – a 3-0 victory at home at the start of February followed by a 2-1 win at Ibrox earlier this month.

But the Hoops boss believes that Sunday’s clash at Hampden is a standalone fixture, where previous encounters won’t come into play.

“Because it’s a cup semi-final, irrespective of previous form or previous encounters with the same team, it just becomes irrelevant,” he said.

“There’s always an edge to these games. You only have to remember the League Cup semi-final against St Johnstone – a super tight game. James Forrest comes on and wins it for us.

“Those kind of games, irrespective of form, irrespective of league position, irrespective of previous games, they’re tight, they’re tense, they’re physical, they’ve got everything you need and that’s what makes them such memorable affairs, and we’ll be prepared for it.”

Manager: Semi-final is a big occasion and one that we're looking forward to