Old Firm Derby: A Rivalry Forged by Class, Culture, and Belief

In the world of football, few rivalries are as intense, emotional, and historic as the one between Celtic and Rangers—two football clubs based in Glasgow, Scotland. This matchup is known as the Old Firm Derby, and it’s been around for well over a century. But what makes it so special? The answer lies not just in the sport itself, but in the history, culture, and identity behind both clubs.

The first Old Firm match was played in 1888, the same year Celtic was founded. Rangers, the older of the two clubs, was established in 1872. From the beginning, both teams were successful on the pitch. But the rivalry quickly grew into something much bigger than football.

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Celtic was started by Irish Catholic immigrants to help raise money for poor families in Glasgow’s East End. Because of that, Celtic became strongly associated with the Irish Catholic community. Rangers, meanwhile, drew much of its support from the city’s Protestant and British Unionist communities.

This difference in background led to a deep divide—one that went far beyond sports. Over the decades, the rivalry came to reflect bigger issues like religion, politics, and national identity.

When Celtic and Rangers face each other, it’s not just a football match—it’s a clash of culture and identity. Many Celtic fans wave Irish flags and sing songs linked to Irish history. Rangers fans often show their loyalty to the British Crown and sing songs connected to Protestant traditions.

In the past, this divide led to serious problems. There were violent fights between fans, hateful chants, and even discrimination. For example, Rangers once had an unofficial policy of not signing Catholic players—a rule they only changed in the late 1980s. Thankfully, both clubs have worked hard in recent years to fight against this kind of behavior and to make matches safer and more respectful.

The Old Firm has given fans some unforgettable moments over the years. One famous game was the 1969 Scottish Cup Final, where Celtic beat Rangers 4–0 in front of over 130,000 people. Another was in 1999, when Rangers won the league title at Celtic’s stadium—a match full of drama, tension, and even fights.

In 2012, the rivalry took a break when Rangers had major financial problems and were moved to the lowest division in Scottish football. For a few years, there were no Old Firm games. But when Rangers returned to the top league in 2016, the rivalry picked up right where it left off.

One recent highlight was when Rangers, managed by former Liverpool star Steven Gerrard, stopped Celtic from winning a 10th league title in a row in 2021. That win proved the rivalry was alive and well.

Today, the Old Firm Derby is watched by millions of fans around the world. The atmosphere in the stadium is electric—fans sing, cheer, and create a buzz that few other matches can match. Even people who aren’t big football fans find themselves drawn to the passion and history of this game.

Both clubs are now more focused on inclusion and have spoken out against hate and division. But the emotions and excitement of the derby remain as strong as ever