On Boxing Day 2010 Stevie May was handed a belated Christmas gift by then St Johnstone boss Derek McInnes in the shape of a substitute appearance at Celtic Park.
The young striker admits playing at a packed Parkhead for the first time was an unforgettable experience.
Now the 20-year-old is hoping his current manager Tommy Wright will hand him another “present” by selecting him to start against the defending champions in the East End of Glasgow.
He said: “I’ve never started a game before at Celtic Park, but I did come on as a sub under Derek McInnes when I was 17 or 18, so it was a big deal for me. That is still the biggest crowd I’ve ever played in front of.
“I was a wee bit apprehensive, but he told me I was fresh legs, run myself into the ground, keep it simple and enjoy the experience.
“Once I was out on the park I forgot about the crowd and concentrated on the football.
“Everyone wants to play in games like this and the boys will be up for it. We have had some good results against them in recent years.”
Saints and May enjoyed a blistering start to the season winning against the odds in the Europa League qualifier against Rosenborg in July with the striker scoring the winner in the second leg at McDiarmid Park.
However, they have faltered in recent weeks and stumbled to their first home loss in 10 months last Saturday against Hibs.
Now May insists the Perth side have to get back to their defensive best if they hope to have a chance against the Hoops.
He said: “My goal against Rosenborg was the perfect start to the season for me and great for the confidence.
“As a team, we would probably have taken this sort of start, but we have to get back to being hard to score against, like we were last season. We have had a reasonable start to the season but now we have some massive games coming up before the next international break.”
Contract extension negotiations between Saints and May’s agent are ongoing but the player insists he is concentrating on keeping his head down and working hard in training and on the pitch.
He added: “The club and my agent have been talking about a contract extension, but I am staying out of it until I get the word.”