The first Old Firm derby of the 2017/18 season is almost upon us.

Saturday's showdown - live on Sky Sports Football - is the first meeting of the Glasgow rivals this season and to mark the occasion, Sky Sports Scotland have rounded up a few familiar faces from the history of the fixture to describe what it means to them.

Graeme Souness (Rangers 1986-91)

"I've been involved in big derby games, people ask me what's the biggest derby I've been involved in, without a shadow of a doubt it's Rangers v Celtic.

"It's because what it means to the supporters. If you're involved in it you feel the tension in the city. And afterwards the elation if you've won. You feel that from the supporters. On the other side of the coin, if you were to lose the disappointment is enormous.

Former Rangers player/manager Graeme Souness describes the Old Firm derby ahead of this season's first encounter, live on Sky Sports this Saturday Former Rangers player/manager Graeme Souness describes the Old Firm derby ahead of this season's first encounter, live on Sky Sports this Saturday

"As a player they are hard to play in. It's a whirlwind. The passion that you're feeling from the terraces sometimes spreads onto the pitch.

"You can't play in a bigger game. But you've got to, it's rich coming from me, but you've got to have a steady head, a thinking head. And love it. It's hard to love it and hard to like it if you're on the receiving end."

Craig Bellamy (Celtic 2005)

"Life and your family is way more important than football. Always will be. But I can honestly say in that derby, for that moment, bar none, that is the most important thing going in. It means that much.

"You just sense it building up through the week because the media is all about those two football clubs. So for the whole week, that's all they are going to be writing about.

Craig Bellamy celebrates his Old Firm winner against Rangers in 2005

"I always knew about the derby, watched it from afar and admired it from afar. Nothing can prepare you for it, especially the first game. Your first game for Celtic is an incredible occasion anyway, but for it to be an Old Firm, I wasn't prepared for it.

"It was horrifying, because I was terrible.

"I thought I was a good enough player to deal with that. It wasn't on the day, honestly. It just got too much. I wouldn't say I got carried away but leading up to it was tense. I found myself in the papers every day leading up to the game. Was I going to get a yellow card, was I going to get a red?"

Archie Knox (Rangers assistant 1991-1998)

"Rangers fans think no matter what team they put on that pitch, it's capable of winning that game. That will never alter with the Rangers supporters.

Former Aberdeen, Rangers and Manchester United assistant manager Archie Knox launches his autobiography - The School of Hard Knox

"And whether that be against Aberdeen, Hearts, Hibs or Celtic, you have to win that game.

"That will never go away. Everybody who puts that blue jersey on will feel that responsibility from the supporters. You're representing the club, you're representing that jersey, you have got to give their best in every game."

Mark Wilson (Celtic 2006-12)

"It never leaves you. I was lucky enough to play in many of these games. People come up all the time and say 'it was a great goal' and buy me the odd drink which is much appreciated! It will always be in my memory.

Mark Wilson wheels away to celebrate scoring his winner for Celtic against Rangers in 2011

"The first Old Firm games of the season tend to drum up a bit more interest to see how each squad copes. It will be a tough day for Rangers but Celtic will be confident that's for sure.

Steven Davis (Rangers 2008-12)

"I love them. Love playing in them. Love watching them.

"There's such a focus on the two clubs and a passion for the two clubs so it's a huge game, great game for Scottish football.

"It's a difficult one because until you actually play in one people can talk to you about them all day. But until you actually play in one you don't actually realise what it's all about and get caught up in the moment.

"They're difficult games to enjoy to be honest because there's such an intensity to them but it's not until you come off the pitch and you've won that you can settle down and enjoy it. They're great games to play in, enjoy them and you've got a chance to be a hero in people eyes.

Steven Davis celebrates as he slides into the net after his winner for Rangers against Celtic

"I was lucky to score a couple of goals against Celtic but [the most memorable was ] probably the League Cup final where we won 2-1. I scored in that as well so that was probably the one because there was a trophy at the end of the game as well which gave it that extra sense of positivity."

Rangers v Celtic is live on Sky Sports Main Event & Football from 11.30am Saturday.