The Cardiff City striker was reflecting on the game back in September – a game won 1-0 by Swansea City thanks to a Jordi Gomez goal.

McCormack himself was denied by the linesman’s flag only in the second half but he was relishing the chance to take part again on Sunday although he also appreciated that Cardiff had the chance to replicate that noise in April at Ninian Park.

โ€œNow that will be special,โ€ said McCormack to the Western Mail. โ€œThe atmosphere for our Carling Cup tie against Swansea was remarkable. The best Iโ€™ve ever experienced โ€“ and I include Celtic v Rangers Old Firm games and Uefa Champions League.

โ€œIt was deafening at the Liberty Stadium and I guess it will be even better when we go back for the Championship match on Sunday.

โ€œAnd it will be even more special for the match at Ninian Park. Thatโ€™s a traditional old stadium with great atmosphere. Itโ€™s been fantastic with around 18,000 fans at matches and I canโ€™t think what it will be like for Cardiff v Swansea .

โ€œWhen I first signed for Cardiff I didnโ€™t know a lot about the South Wales rivalry. A few of the lads talked about and then I experienced it first hand.

โ€œItโ€™s fantastic that there are two more derbies to come and we are ready for Sundayโ€™s trip to the Liberty.

โ€œThe passion of Bluebirdsโ€™ fans is right up there with those of Celtic and Rangers. That really transfers on to the pitch and lifts the players. The fans can play their part in lifting the team.

โ€œI have to say Swansea v Cardiff was the best Iโ€™ve experienced so far,โ€ said McCormack. โ€œWe werenโ€™t at all happy with the result, of course, but the atmosphere was remarkable.

โ€œMaybe the Championship overall has more quality players, but there are similarities. Many of the teams Iโ€™ve played against in the Championship would finish high in the SPL.

โ€œThere are some really good Championship teams who are on a par or better than anybody in Scotland, outside of Celtic and Rangers.โ€