CELTIC boss Neil Lennon is pining for the resumption of Old Firm hostilities after an enforced ceasefire between the city's great rivals.

However, the Northern Irishman does not hark for the aftermath of the derby which often left him in the depths of despair.

The teams could clash this season if they are paired in the Scottish Cup, although the first meeting between them is bound to be fraught given the events of the last 21 months as Rangers have been placed in the lower reaches of Scottish football.

"You miss the competitiveness and, of course, you miss the games because it's one of the greatest derbies in the world and everybody wants to see it," he said.

"There is always drama and energy in those games and they will happen again in another couple of seasons and the excitement will start building again."

Lennon knows just how much rides on the outcome of the derby games.

"You think the whole world is going to collapse on you when you lose an Old Firm game," he said. "There is just that intensity and that expectation and the build-up and the fall-out from afterwards lasts days and weeks.

"When you play you are part of a team but when you are a manager you are baring your soul out there - that is your team out there. When you lose all eyes are on you and you get debates in the pubs, on the internet and you have to try and step away with that.

"I don't get too involved in the praise and I try not to get too involved in the criticism because it is a weakness. But it does hurt.

"After the game all you feel if you win is relief but two games later you are preparing for the next one.

"Earlier in my career it really ate away at me for two or three days and got under my skin but now I'm a bit more experienced I've got better. You always want the perfect but it's impossible."

Lennon believes that the Ibrox side will find it difficult to be up to speed initially given the widening gap between the two sides.

On and off the pitch Celtic are in rude health, largely thanks to the Champions League and a succession of top talents identified and sold on for significant profit.

It has put the Parkhead side in an imperious position and Lennon told Sky Sports: "I don't think Rangers will be as strong initially as they were, as they will have to build up slowly and stabilise themselves because it has been a very tumultuous time for them."