A League: Wanderers midfielder Graham Dorrans zoning in on the newest local derby with Macarthur FC

Scotsman Graham Dorrans knows how epic local derbies are, and whether it’s in Scotland or the A-League they are massive.

Graham Dorrans of the Wanderers thinks the rivavlry with Macarthur FC is going to be epic. Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

Having played in the “biggest game in the world”, Western Sydney Wanderers’ Scottish import Graham Dorrans yearns for the atmosphere of a derby.

The 33-year-old former Rangers midfielder lines up for his second “Battle of the West” on Saturday night when the Wanderers travel to Campbelltown Stadium to meet A-League newcomers Macarthur FC.

While the rivalry is a far cry from the bitterness that exists between Old Firm giants Rangers and Celtic, the Wanderers-Macarthur games are set to become, over time, part of A-League folklore.

“Everyone wants to play in local derbies,” Dorrans said.

“There are local bragging rights between the fans and the players. They are games that as players you look for.

“It’s disappointing that we can’t get full capacity in stadiums at the moment (due to COVID-19 because that’s when you see the best in a derby and helps spice up a derby as well.”

Macarthur beat the Wanderers 1-0 in the opening week of the season, and it’s a losing derby feeling that doesn’t sit well with Glasgow-born Dorrans, who was on the wrong side of results against Celtic during his two-year stint with Rangers from 2017 to 2019.

“I was disappointed I never came out at the right end of those derbies … it’s for me the biggest game in the world,” he said.

“You’re coming out of the tunnel, you’re coming on to the pitch and you can’t even hear your teammate who’s only a few yards away from you because the atmosphere’s electric, the whole crowd’s on top of everyone, so that’s, as players, what gets you up for the game.

“You want to win derbies and that’s how you enjoy them.”

Graham Dorrans in his Rangers days taking on Aussie Tom Rogic from arch rivals Celtic Picture: EPA/Robert Perry

Dorrans said the Wanderers had learnt a lot from their first-up loss to Macarthur, whose “surprise element” was now gone.

“We know it’s going to be a tough game, and we know what to expect from them ­– it’s something we’ll be prepared for,” he said.

“We’re working on stuff that we think we can hurt them with, as they’ll be doing as well.”

In the absence of injured Wanderers skipper Dylan McGowan, Dorrans has been wearing the Western Sydney captain’s armband, a privilege he is very proud of.

“It’s disappointing that we’ve lost Dylan because he’s been a great captain and he’s done great for us, but personally, for myself, it’s been a great achievement and a great honour to captain the boys out there,” he said.

“It’s something I’ve done in the past at most of the clubs I’ve been at. I’ve not been club captain but I’ve captained the team a few times, so it’s not something that’s new to me, but it’s great that there’s a trust there from the staff and the gaffer (coach Carl Robinson), and the respect there from the boys.”