The so-called British Match of the Millennium may be only seven days away but Celtic's captain Paul Lambert has given it hardly a thought, even though he can expect to be in the Scotland team to face England.

There is somewhat more important business at hand. "I am not thinking about anything outside this club right now, only Celtic's game on Sunday (1.0)," said the Scotland midfielder.

Of course, that game happens to be against Rangers, and he must lead his side to victory at Ibrox if they are to retain any credible interest in the Scottish Premier League.

"I played for St Mirren and Motherwell and didn't realise just how big an Old Firm match was," said Lambert. "After the UEFA Cup defeat by Lyon, everything we do on Sunday must come from inside us." Students of Zen may be about to gain a new member.

The match is being hyped as a contest between the wily Rangers manager Dick Advocaat and the novice John Barnes.

The Dutchman recalls that his first Old Firm game last season ended in a 5-1 defeat by Celtic - and for the first time in his career he was shaken. "I heard what it meant by what people were saying to me on the streets."

Barnes notes: "Rangers lost that one and went on to win the championship. Did that make Advocaat a bad coach? Of course not." Rangers, the overwhelming favourites, will still be recovering from the loss of their Dutch striker Michael Mols for the season. Unlike Celtic, they are still in Europe and face Borussia Dortmund in the UEFA Cup.

The subplot concerns Ian Wright, with bookmakers offering odds on the Englishman being booked or sent off in the kind of atmosphere he has never before encountered. The last league meeting ended with the referee needing stitches.

"I have talked to Ian and he will be well in order," said Barnes.