I'VE played in some hostile atmospheres during my professional career but, as the gaffer keeps reminding me, I don't think anything will quite prepare me for my first taste of Scottish intimidation.

Parkhead, packed to the rafters with screaming Glaswegians, is an awe-inspiring sight according to those who've played there.

But if Celtic fans think they can psyche us out of a place in the third round of the UEFA Cup then they'd better think again because I'm determined to savour every single second of it.

At the end of the day, how can you not be motivated by playing in front of 60,000 fans?

On top of that, tonight's tie is also being beamed live to the nation on the BBC so what more motivation should we need to put on a show?

As far as I'm concerned, the bigger occasion is, the greater the buzz.

The most hostile game I've ever played in was probably our derby with Burnley at Turf Moor two years ago.

The corresponding game at Ewood wasn't too bad but when you're 5-0 up, it kind of takes the edge off things.

However at Turf Moor, in what was the first League clash between the two clubs in 17 years, I thought our fans were brilliant and so were theirs.

And what made it even more special for me was the fact I was a local lad - which also meant I bore the brunt of the stick.

It's all water off a duck's back, though, and I feel nothing but excitement ahead of tonight's game.

The mood in the camp could hardly be better going into the tie.

Everyone is excited by the thought of stepping out at Parkhead and, because we are currently on something of a roll, the games can't come quickly enough for us right now.

Saturday's result at Arsenal was fantastic and what made it even more satisfying was we achieved it without actually playing particularly well.

So it can't be bad if you're going to places and not playing well but still getting the required results.

Defensively, I thought we were magnificent at Highbury and I can't speak highly enough of the way Martin Taylor is playing right now.

That was the best I've seen him perform for a long time but then I've known what Tiny can do for some time because we were in the same youth team.

It's great that we can all come through and play in the first team together and, if he continues to play like he's doing at the minute, then it won't be long before people are touting him for England.

Tonight's game should be great but it is not the most important one - it's all going to hinge on the second leg at Ewood. I can't wait.

He's already played for both the Under 18s and Under 21s and I don't see any reason why he can't make the step up into the senior side if he keeps going like he is at the minute.

In the meantime, back to tonight and there's currently a big debate going on in England about the strengths and weakness of Scotland's leading sides.

All I will say on that is Celtic must be a great side because you need to be to win back-to-back championships.

Man-for-man, though, I would say Arsenal are even stronger so if we can beat them at Highbury then what's stopping us from going to Parkhead and winning?