Some people tell me 6-2 game was great... and they weren't even born!

O'Neill hopes his second Old Firm debut could be springboard like back in 2000

- BY MICHAEL GANNON

IT was a modern-day JFK moment for Celtic fans.

Martin O'Neill's Old Firm bow 25 years ago was such a seismic afternoon, Hoops fans to this day tell the now interim boss where they were at the time.

Even the ones who hadn't been born yet.

The 6-2 victory at Celtic Park was that kind of day.

O'Neill knows it too, a quarter of a century on, just how big an impact that win was at the time - and in the club's history.

In some ways it was the liftoff point for everything that has followed in the years since.

The Trebles, the titles, the dominance over such a long period perhaps it can be traced back to that epic clash in Glasgow's East End.

Its significance is not lost on O'Neill as he prepares for his second derby debut in tomorrow's Premier Sports Cup semifinal at Hampden.

Asked if the fabled clash remains a major talking point, he said: "Absolutely. Even people who weren't there. I get lads come up and say to me, that was a great game - and they weren't even born! But they tell me what their grandfathers and fathers were saying about it.

"It became a pivotal match for us, not just that season but probably for continuing on.

"Replicating it might be extremely difficult tomorrow.

"I'd settle for a really lousy 1-0 victory if we could get it.