DION DUBLIN lost his cool in the heat of Birmingham battle, but predicts Celtic's old heads will prevent an incendiary Old Firm fixture from exploding at Ibrox on Sunday.
Dublin made an impressive debut in the 2-1 defeat of Falkirk at Celtic Park on Wednesday night, but he was upstaged by a vintage Roy Keane display in time to ensure his place in the starting line-up.
Rangers' domestic season will surely end with defeat against Gordon Strachan's team, with a potential 21point gap between the foes heaping yet more drama on the hostilities.
Dublin's injury-ravaged Manchester United career coincided with a period of first-division depression at City, but the local rivalry of Aston Villa and Birmingham City provides a valid reference point for Dublin in anticipation of the hate-filled Glasgow alternative.
He retains a vivid recollection of the derby on March 3, 2003, in which he was sent off and shamed for a deliberate butt on the combustible Robbie Savage. He apologised in the immediate aftermath but at 36 has gleaned enough wisdom to negotiate a visit to Ibrox with no trepidation over the ensuing mayhem.
Dublin has no concerns, either, over the infamous temperament of Keane. "Sometimes the red mist does descend and you regret every minute of it, but it happens in a split second, " he said of a rare misdemeanour in an otherwise blemish-free, nomadic career.
"You become older and wiser and hope that you are able to deal with situations differently should they arise. I am sure Roy can as well."
Though Strachan will not reveal his hand until the last moment, there is a growing suspicion that Keane will be granted his Old Firm debut without compromising the involvement of the club captain and midfield hub, Neil Lennon.
After a spate of uninspiring performances, Shunsuke Nakamura may be held in reserve in preference of a more workmanlike midfield involving the Irish kingpins and, perhaps, a one-off return to the right side of midfield for Stilian Petrov.
Strachan's line-up remains open to conjecture, but Dublin predicts Keane, if selected, will be a central character in a match that will help shape Celtic's championship destiny.
"His desire hasn't changed at all, he thrives under pressure, " Dublin said. "It's the only way he knows how to play. He will be fine in this game. We all know he is a fully committed player and he is not going to change, regardless of the atmosphere."
Dublin's hopes of starting are less clear, even after a solid start to his Celtic career. John Hartson, the Welshman who this week announced his retirement from international football, is expected to resume his role as targetman alongside Maciej Zurawski. That has not prevented the new boy from indulging in a spot of fantasy football.
"I actually had a dream last night, that I scored the winning goal in an Old Firm game, but I woke up from it, " he said. "That would be lovely for something like that to happen."
The scale of his new and unexpected challenge hit home in his first match before a 56,000 crowd. "I really enjoyed my debut and, although I have been fortunate to play in many a big debut, that was right up there with Manchester United, " he said.
That atmosphere will intensify greatly when he enters an Ibrox teeming with expectation from both sets of supporters. "I have never been to an Old Firm match before but I have seen it on the television and, strange as it may seem, you can still get that excitement through the screen."
Even accounting for Dublin's extensive cv, nothing will prepare him for Sunday's unique experience.
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