Neil Lennon yesterday admitted that he has missed the drama of the Old Firm matches over the past 18 months.

The Celtic manager, speaking on Sky Sports, acknowledged the excitement the clash gene­rates and said he was looking forward to going toe-to-toe with the Ibrox side again, although the teams could only meet this season if they are paired in the William Hill Scottish Cup.

There has not been an Old Firm match since Rangers' liquidation in the summer of 2012 and subsequent resumption in the fourth tier of the Scottish game, but Lennon is well versed in such encounters as both player and manager and appreciates the unique nature of the occasion.

"You look for their result after your game or, if they've had an earlier kick-off, then you know what you've got to do," he said. "The to-ing and fro-ing with Rangers is always exciting. You also miss the competitiveness and, of course, you miss the games, because it's one of the greatest derbies in the world. 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 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: that is your team out there. When you lose, all eyes are on you and you get debates in the pubs, on the internet. 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 the Ibrox side will find it difficult to get 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 UEFA Champions League. It has given Celtic an imperious position and Lennon expects that it will take a long time for Rangers to get back to being the force they once were, even when they find themselves in the top flight again. "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 tumultuous time for them," he said.