text: Dick Advocaat will not make the same mistake he did during his first season at Rangers by playing down the significance of the Old Firm derby. The 67-year-old takes charge of Sunderland for the first time on home soil tomorrow with North-East adversaries Newcastle the visitors. It was back in 1998 that Advocaat said the Old Firm clash was just another game. Celtic won 5-1 and the Dutch boss was criticised by fans and the media for under-estimating the intensity of the rivalry. Sunderland boss Dick Advocaat insists he will not underestiamte the signficance of the Wear-Tyne Derby . Advocaat and assistant manager Paul Bracewell oversee training ahead of Sunday's crucial derby fixture . Sunderland striker Jermain Defoe (centre) trains with his team-mates ahead of the game with Newcastle . Rangers' Rod Wallace (centre) runs forward with the ball as his side are thrashed 5-1 by Celtic in 1998 . Advocaat had failed to recognise the significance of the Old Firm fixture and this led to a humiliating loss . He recalled: 'To be honest, I did not realise at that moment it was so huge. 'We lost that game and I remember saying in the press conference when they were really upset, 'It is no problem for me because it is just one of 38 games and we will not lose any more'. 'I would not say that anymore! But we became champions that year, six points ahead of Celtic, and won the treble.' Advocaat, though, does admit that his thoughts are trained on three points and not the notion of regional bragging rights. Indeed, the Black Cats are one point above the relegation zone and could be in the bottom three by kick-off. 'Every game is a chance to get a result – and that starts on Sunday,' said Advocaat, who could start Adam Johnson for the first time following his arrest on suspicion of sexual activity with a 15-year-old girl. Sunderland's Adam Johnson was recently arrested on suspicion of sexual activity with an under-age girl . Advocaat is still considering starting the 27-year-old England international in the Wear-Tyne derby . 'If we win the fans might like me, yes, but I would prefer it if they loved me at the end of the season because that would mean we have stayed up.' Sunderland have won just twice at home all season. They have struggled amid an atmosphere of unrest at the Stadium of Light, but that should change tomorrow given the unveiling of Advocaat and the opponents. 'For us, this must be a weapon,' said Advocaat when asked about the home crowd. 'That is the reason I said it is so important to get them behind us, because it is an extra weapon. If the players feel that, they will give even more and I expect that the fans will do that. This is a special game.' Sunderland midfielder Will Buckley (centre) dribbles with the ball during training at the Academy of Light .
target: Sunderland manager Dick Advocaat insists he is not underestimating the significance of Sunday's game against local rivals Newcastle .
  While in charge of Rangers in 1998, Advocaat made the mistake of playing down the Old Firm game against Celtic and lost 5-1 .
  The Dutchman does not want a repeat of that embarrassment .
  He is considering starting winger Adam Johnson for the game, for the first time for his arrest on suspicion of sexual activity with a 15-year-old girl .