Sunday's Black Country derby is the first in the top flight of English football for more than a quarter of a century.
But while McCarthy admits fans will still see it as the biggest game of the year, he insists it does not hold the kind of significance it did for players of his generation.
He said: "We all know the importance of derbies, but go through both of our teams and see where they're all from, see if there's anyone from Telford or Compton or Wednesfield.
"See how many have dyed in the wool gold and black blood. When I played up in Glasgow, they were all from there. There's something else to it.
"I think players are different. They don't come from the locale. They have the same desire in every game. Because it's a derby it's increased a bit more because they know how important it is to the club and to the fans."
Source: PA
Source: PA