The
Old Firm is a common collective name for the association football clubs
CelticCeltic Football Club is a Scottish football club based in the Parkhead area of Glasgow, which currently plays in the Scottish Premier League. The club was established in 1887, and played its first game in 1888. Celtic have won the Scottish League Championship on 42 occasions, most recently in the...
and
RangersRangers Football Club are an association football club based in Glasgow, Scotland, who play in the Scottish Premier League. The club are nicknamed the Gers, Teddy Bears and the Light Blues, and the fans are known to each other as bluenoses...
, both based in
GlasgowGlasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
,
ScotlandScotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
.
The origin of the term is unclear. One theory has it that the expression derives from Celtic's first game in 1888, which was played against Rangers. However, author, William J. Murray states that the term derives from the commercial benefits of the two clubs' rivalry, which were viewed with distaste in some quarters in the early days of the game.
The two clubs are the most successful in Scotland, having won between them 96
Scottish LeagueThe Scottish Premier League , also known as the SPL , is a professional league competition for association football clubs in Scotland...
championships, 67
Scottish CupThe Scottish Football Association Challenge Cup,, commonly known as the Scottish Cup or the William Hill Scottish Cup for sponsorship purposes, is the main national cup competition in Scottish football. It is a knockout cup competition run by and named after the Scottish Football Association.The...
s and 41 Scottish League Cups (as of May 2011). Interruptions to their ascendancy have occurred infrequently, most recently with the challenge of the
New FirmThe New Firm was the short-lived term used, during the 1980s, to describe the rivalry between Scottish football clubs Aberdeen and Dundee United...
of
AberdeenAberdeen Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Aberdeen...
and
Dundee UnitedDundee United Football Club is a Scottish professional football club located in the city of Dundee. Formed in 1909, originally as Dundee Hibernian, the club changed to the present name in 1923...
in the first half of the 1980s and other times happening in the 1890s and 1950s. Since the 1995–96 season, the Old Firm clubs have finished in the top two places in every season, apart from 2005–06, when
HeartsHeart of Midlothian Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Gorgie, in the west of Edinburgh. They currently play in the Scottish Premier League and are one of the two principal clubs in the city, the other being Hibernian...
finished second ahead of Rangers. As of 18 September 2011, Rangers and Celtic had played each other 396 times: Rangers winning 158 matches, Celtic 143 matches and 95 draws. The two clubs normally compete four times a year in the
SPLThe Scottish Premier League , also known as the SPL , is a professional league competition for association football clubs in Scotland...
and are regularly drawn against each other in the two Scottish cup competitions.
The clubs have large support bases around Glasgow, but also have supporters clubs in most towns throughout Scotland and in many cities around the world. The presence of Rangers and Celtic has been estimated to be worth £120 million to the Scottish economy.
Rivalry and sectarianism
The competition between the two clubs has roots in more than just a simple sporting rivalry. It is infused with a series of complex disputes, sometimes centred on
religionReligion is a collection of cultural systems, belief systems, and worldviews that establishes symbols that relate humanity to spirituality and, sometimes, to moral values. Many religions have narratives, symbols, traditions and sacred histories that are intended to give meaning to life or to...
(
CatholicCatholicism is a broad term for the body of the Catholic faith, its theologies and doctrines, its liturgical, ethical, spiritual, and behavioral characteristics, as well as a religious people as a whole....
and
ProtestantProtestantism is one of the three major groupings within Christianity. It is a movement that began in Germany in the early 16th century as a reaction against medieval Roman Catholic doctrines and practices, especially in regards to salvation, justification, and ecclesiology.The doctrines of the...
) and
Northern IrelandNorthern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
-related politics (
LoyalistUlster loyalism is an ideology that is opposed to a united Ireland. It can mean either support for upholding Northern Ireland's status as a constituent part of the United Kingdom , support for Northern Ireland independence, or support for loyalist paramilitaries...
and
RepublicanIrish republicanism is an ideology based on the belief that all of Ireland should be an independent republic.In 1801, under the Act of Union, the Kingdom of Great Britain and the Kingdom of Ireland merged to form the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland...
). Another primary contributor to the intensity of the rivalry in the west of Scotland is that Rangers supporters are historically native Scots and Celtic supporters are historically
Irish-ScotsIrish-Scots are people who live in Scotland who are of immediate or traceably distinct Irish ancestry. Although migration between Ireland and Scotland has an established history owing to their close proximity, Irish migration to Scotland increased exponentially in the nineteenth century, and was...
. While the confrontation between the two sets of supporters is often lablelled as 'Sectarianism', 'Native-Immigrant tension' is an equally accurate catalyst for hostility between the two teams' supports in Scotland. Rangers' traditional support was largely from the Protestant community, while Celtic's was largely from those of
IrishThe Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
Roman Catholic backgrounds. One effect is that
Scottish flagThe Flag of Scotland, , also known as Saint Andrew's Cross or the Saltire, is the national flag of Scotland. As the national flag it is the Saltire, rather than the Royal Standard of Scotland, which is the correct flag for all individuals and corporate bodies to fly in order to demonstrate both...
s are rarer than might be expected amongst both sets of supporters; Celtic fans are more likely to wave the
Irish tricolourThe national flag of Ireland is a vertical tricolour of green , white, and orange. It is also known as the Irish tricolour. The flag proportion is 1:2...
while Rangers fans tend to wave the
Union FlagThe Union Flag, also known as the Union Jack, is the flag of the United Kingdom. It retains an official or semi-official status in some Commonwealth Realms; for example, it is known as the Royal Union Flag in Canada. It is also used as an official flag in some of the smaller British overseas...
.
The ferocity of the rivalry has made it rare for a player to represent both teams during his career. Players who have played for both sides of the Old Firm include
Alex BennettAlexander "Alex" Bennett was a Scottish footballer who played for Celtic, Rangers and the Scotland national team...
,
Scott DuncanAdam Scott Mattheson Duncan was a Scottish professional footballer and manager.-Playing career:Born in Dumbarton, Duncan was working as a law clerk when he joined his home-town club Dumbarton in 1906. He moved to Newcastle United in March 1908 for a fee of £150...
, Robert Campbell, and
George LivingstoneGeorge Turner "Geordie" Livingstone was a Scottish football player. His regular position was at inside-forward....
, who all played before the intensity of the rivalry had started prior to 1912, as well as later players:
Alfie ConnAlfred James "Alfie" Conn is a Scottish former professional footballer who was the first post-World War II player to play for both Rangers and Celtic.- Life and career :...
,
Maurice JohnstonMaurice John Giblin "Mo" Johnston is a former football striker.Johnston began his football career with Partick Thistle in 1981 before moving to Watford in 1983. With Watford Johnston scored 23 league goals, made his international debut, and helped the team reach the 1984 FA Cup Final...
,
Kenny MillerKenneth "Kenny" Miller is a Scottish footballer who plays as a striker for Cardiff City and the Scotland national football team...
,
Steven PressleySteven John "Elvis" Pressley is a retired Scottish footballer, who is now the manager of Scottish First Division club Falkirk. Pressley had a long playing career, playing for both halves of the Old Firm and making over 100 league appearances for both Dundee United and Hearts...
and
Mark BrownMark Brown is a Scottish professional footballer, currently playing for Scottish Premier League side Hibernian. Brown, a goalkeeper has played for both Old Firm clubs, Rangers and Celtic. Hibs is Brown's sixth Scottish Premier League club, having also played for Motherwell, Inverness CT and...
.
In 1980, opposing fans fought an on-pitch battle in the aftermath of Celtic's 1–0 victory in the Scottish Cup Final at Hampden. This remains one of the worst invasions onto a football pitch ever reported, and was instrumental in alcohol being banned from football grounds in Scotland.
There was serious fan disorder during an Old Firm match played in May 1999 at Celtic Park, as several missiles were thrown by Celtic fans, one of which struck referee
Hugh DallasHugh Dallas MBE is a Scottish former football referee. He officiated at two FIFA World Cup tournaments, in 1998 and 2002; he was appointed fourth official for the 2002 FIFA World Cup Final...
, forcing the game to be stopped while he received medical treatment. At least four Celtic fans invaded the field of play to confront Dallas during the game, and more missiles were thrown at players on the pitch after the game. Since the events of that day, Old Firm league matches have normally been played in the early afternoon and the possibility of an Old Firm title decider has been deliberately avoided.
The Old Firm rivalry fuels many assaults on Old Firm Derby days, and some deaths in the past have been directly related to the aftermath of Old Firm matches. An activist group that monitors sectarian activity in Glasgow has reported that on Old Firm weekends, violent attacks increase ninefold over normal levels. An increase in domestic abuse can also be attributed to Old Firm fixtures. A
freedom of informationThe Freedom of Information Act 2002 was an Act of the Scottish Parliament passed in 2002. It covers public bodies over which the Scottish Parliament has jurisdiction, fulfilling a similar purpose to the UK-level Freedom of Information Act 2000...
request found that
Strathclyde PoliceStrathclyde Police is the territorial police force responsible for the Scottish council areas of Argyll and Bute, City of Glasgow, East Ayrshire, East Dunbartonshire, East Renfrewshire, Inverclyde, North Ayrshire, North Lanarkshire, Renfrewshire, South Ayrshire, South Lanarkshire and West...
incurred costs of £2.4 million for the seven derbies played during the 2010–11 season, with the clubs only contributing £0.3 million towards that. Other high profile games involving Rangers and Celtic incurred much lower costs. The reason for the disparity in costs and the contribution made is that Strathclyde Police has to increase its activity elsewhere in Glasgow and beyond, while the clubs are only responsible for costs incurred in the vicinity of their stadium.
Head to head record
| Competition |
Played |
Rangers |
Celtic |
Draw |
| Scottish League The Scottish football league system is a series of generally unconnected leagues for Scottish football clubs. The Scottish system is more complicated than many other national league systems, consisting of two completely separate systems of leagues and clubs, senior football and junior football...
|
301 |
118 |
99 |
84 |
Scottish CupThe Scottish Football Association Challenge Cup,, commonly known as the Scottish Cup or the William Hill Scottish Cup for sponsorship purposes, is the main national cup competition in Scottish football. It is a knockout cup competition run by and named after the Scottish Football Association.The...
|
48 |
16 |
23 |
9 |
League CupThe Scottish League Cup is a football competition open to all Scottish Football League and Scottish Premier League clubs. At present it is also known as the Scottish Communities League Cup owing to the sponsorship deal in place with the Scottish Government. In the past it has been sponsored by...
|
47 |
24 |
21 |
2 |
| Totals |
396 |
158 |
143 |
95 |
Note: League championship statistics include play-off match for the 1904–05 title which Celtic won 2–1.
1888–1999 statistics obtained from RSSSF; Remaining stats obtained from Soccerbase
Biggest wins
* Four or more goals difference, OR the winning team scored five or above, friendly matches not included
Celtic
- Celtic 6–2 Rangers on 27 August 2000. Scottish Premier League
-Sporting Leagues:*Scottish Premier League, or Clydesdale Bank Premier League, the highest professional football league in Scotland*Saudi Premier League, or Zain Saudi Premier League, the highest professional football league in Saudi Arabia...
- Celtic 5–1 Rangers on 21 November 1998. Scottish Premier League
-Sporting Leagues:*Scottish Premier League, or Clydesdale Bank Premier League, the highest professional football league in Scotland*Saudi Premier League, or Zain Saudi Premier League, the highest professional football league in Saudi Arabia...
- Celtic 4–0 Rangers on 26 April 1969. Scottish Premier League
-Sporting Leagues:*Scottish Premier League, or Clydesdale Bank Premier League, the highest professional football league in Scotland*Saudi Premier League, or Zain Saudi Premier League, the highest professional football league in Saudi Arabia...
- Celtic 5–1 Rangers on 01 January 1966. Scottish Premier League
-Sporting Leagues:*Scottish Premier League, or Clydesdale Bank Premier League, the highest professional football league in Scotland*Saudi Premier League, or Zain Saudi Premier League, the highest professional football league in Saudi Arabia...
- Celtic 7–1 Rangers on 19 October 1957. Scottish League Cup
The Scottish League Cup is a football competition open to all Scottish Football League and Scottish Premier League clubs. At present it is also known as the Scottish Communities League Cup owing to the sponsorship deal in place with the Scottish Government. In the past it has been sponsored by...
- Celtic 6–2 Rangers on 01 January 1939. Scottish Premier League
-Sporting Leagues:*Scottish Premier League, or Clydesdale Bank Premier League, the highest professional football league in Scotland*Saudi Premier League, or Zain Saudi Premier League, the highest professional football league in Saudi Arabia...
- Celtic 5–0 Rangers on 21 March 1925. Scottish Cup
The Scottish Football Association Challenge Cup,, commonly known as the Scottish Cup or the William Hill Scottish Cup for sponsorship purposes, is the main national cup competition in Scottish football. It is a knockout cup competition run by and named after the Scottish Football Association.The...
- Celtic 4–0 Rangers on 01 January 1914. Scottish Premier League
-Sporting Leagues:*Scottish Premier League, or Clydesdale Bank Premier League, the highest professional football league in Scotland*Saudi Premier League, or Zain Saudi Premier League, the highest professional football league in Saudi Arabia...
- Celtic 4–0 Rangers on 10 March 1900. Scottish Cup
The Scottish Football Association Challenge Cup,, commonly known as the Scottish Cup or the William Hill Scottish Cup for sponsorship purposes, is the main national cup competition in Scottish football. It is a knockout cup competition run by and named after the Scottish Football Association.The...
- Rangers 0–4 Celtic on 01 January 1898 Scottish Premier League
-Sporting Leagues:*Scottish Premier League, or Clydesdale Bank Premier League, the highest professional football league in Scotland*Saudi Premier League, or Zain Saudi Premier League, the highest professional football league in Saudi Arabia...
- Celtic 6–2 Rangers on 01 January 1896. Scottish Premier League
-Sporting Leagues:*Scottish Premier League, or Clydesdale Bank Premier League, the highest professional football league in Scotland*Saudi Premier League, or Zain Saudi Premier League, the highest professional football league in Saudi Arabia...
- Celtic 5–3 Rangers on 01 January 1895. Scottish Premier League
-Sporting Leagues:*Scottish Premier League, or Clydesdale Bank Premier League, the highest professional football league in Scotland*Saudi Premier League, or Zain Saudi Premier League, the highest professional football league in Saudi Arabia...
- Celtic 5–3 Rangers on 01 January 1892. Scottish Cup
The Scottish Football Association Challenge Cup,, commonly known as the Scottish Cup or the William Hill Scottish Cup for sponsorship purposes, is the main national cup competition in Scottish football. It is a knockout cup competition run by and named after the Scottish Football Association.The...
Rangers
- Rangers 5–1 Celtic on 26 November 2000. Scottish Premier League
-Sporting Leagues:*Scottish Premier League, or Clydesdale Bank Premier League, the highest professional football league in Scotland*Saudi Premier League, or Zain Saudi Premier League, the highest professional football league in Saudi Arabia...
- Rangers 4–0 Celtic on 26 March 2000. Scottish Premier League
-Sporting Leagues:*Scottish Premier League, or Clydesdale Bank Premier League, the highest professional football league in Scotland*Saudi Premier League, or Zain Saudi Premier League, the highest professional football league in Saudi Arabia...
- Rangers 5–1 Celtic on 01 January 1989. Scottish Premier League
-Sporting Leagues:*Scottish Premier League, or Clydesdale Bank Premier League, the highest professional football league in Scotland*Saudi Premier League, or Zain Saudi Premier League, the highest professional football league in Saudi Arabia...
- Rangers 4–0 Celtic on 01 January 1963. Scottish Premier League
-Sporting Leagues:*Scottish Premier League, or Clydesdale Bank Premier League, the highest professional football league in Scotland*Saudi Premier League, or Zain Saudi Premier League, the highest professional football league in Saudi Arabia...
- Celtic 1–5 Rangers on 01 January 1961. Scottish Premier League
-Sporting Leagues:*Scottish Premier League, or Clydesdale Bank Premier League, the highest professional football league in Scotland*Saudi Premier League, or Zain Saudi Premier League, the highest professional football league in Saudi Arabia...
- Celtic 0–4 Rangers on 31 August 1955. Scottish League Cup
The Scottish League Cup is a football competition open to all Scottish Football League and Scottish Premier League clubs. At present it is also known as the Scottish Communities League Cup owing to the sponsorship deal in place with the Scottish Government. In the past it has been sponsored by...
- Rangers 4–0 Celtic on 01 January 1950. Scottish Premier League
-Sporting Leagues:*Scottish Premier League, or Clydesdale Bank Premier League, the highest professional football league in Scotland*Saudi Premier League, or Zain Saudi Premier League, the highest professional football league in Saudi Arabia...
- Rangers 4–0 Celtic on 01 January 1949. Scottish Premier League
-Sporting Leagues:*Scottish Premier League, or Clydesdale Bank Premier League, the highest professional football league in Scotland*Saudi Premier League, or Zain Saudi Premier League, the highest professional football league in Saudi Arabia...
- Celtic 0–4 Rangers on 01 January 1948. Scottish Premier League
-Sporting Leagues:*Scottish Premier League, or Clydesdale Bank Premier League, the highest professional football league in Scotland*Saudi Premier League, or Zain Saudi Premier League, the highest professional football league in Saudi Arabia...
- Rangers 4–0 Celtic on 14 April 1928. Scottish Cup
The Scottish Football Association Challenge Cup,, commonly known as the Scottish Cup or the William Hill Scottish Cup for sponsorship purposes, is the main national cup competition in Scottish football. It is a knockout cup competition run by and named after the Scottish Football Association.The...
- Celtic 0–4 Rangers on 01 January 1899. Scottish Premier League
-Sporting Leagues:*Scottish Premier League, or Clydesdale Bank Premier League, the highest professional football league in Scotland*Saudi Premier League, or Zain Saudi Premier League, the highest professional football league in Saudi Arabia...
- Rangers 5–0 Celtic on 01 January 1894. Scottish Premier League
-Sporting Leagues:*Scottish Premier League, or Clydesdale Bank Premier League, the highest professional football league in Scotland*Saudi Premier League, or Zain Saudi Premier League, the highest professional football league in Saudi Arabia...
Players who have played for both teams
- Tom Dunbar (Celtic 1888–1891, Rangers 1891–1892, Celtic 1892–1898)
- Allan Martin (Rangers 1891–1892, Celtic 1895–1896)
- George Livingstone
George Turner "Geordie" Livingstone was a Scottish football player. His regular position was at inside-forward....
(Celtic 1901–1902, Rangers 1906–1909)
- Alex Bennett
Alexander "Alex" Bennett was a Scottish footballer who played for Celtic, Rangers and the Scotland national team...
(Celtic 1903–1908, Rangers 1908–1918)
- Tom Sinclair (Rangers 1904–1906, Celtic 1906–1907)
- Robert Campbell (Celtic 1905–1906, Rangers 1906–1914)
- Hugh Shaw (Rangers 1905–1906, Celtic 1906–1907)
- Willie Kivlichan
William F. Kivlichan was the first player to play for both Scottish football sides Rangers and Celtic in the early 1900s. He became the first player to cross the Old Firm divide twice....
(Rangers 1905–1907, Celtic 1907–1911)
- David Taylor
David Taylor was a Scottish professional footballer who won the FA Cup in 1911 with Bradford City, and in 1914 with Burnley.-Career:...
(Rangers 1906–1911, Celtic 1918–1919 wartime guest)
- Davie McLean (Celtic 1907–1909, Rangers 1918–1919)
- Scott Duncan
Adam Scott Mattheson Duncan was a Scottish professional footballer and manager.-Playing career:Born in Dumbarton, Duncan was working as a law clerk when he joined his home-town club Dumbarton in 1906. He moved to Newcastle United in March 1908 for a fee of £150...
(Rangers 1913–1918, Celtic 1918–1919 wartime guest)
- James Young (Celtic 1917–1918, Rangers 1917–1918)
- Tully Craig
Thomas 'Tully' Craig was a Scottish footballer who is best known for his time with Rangers. He was a versatile player who could play up front, in midfield or defence....
(Celtic 1919–1922, Rangers 1923–1935)
Post war
- Alfie Conn
Alfred James "Alfie" Conn is a Scottish former professional footballer who was the first post-World War II player to play for both Rangers and Celtic.- Life and career :...
(Rangers 1968–1974, Celtic 1977–1979)
- Maurice Johnston
Maurice John Giblin "Mo" Johnston is a former football striker.Johnston began his football career with Partick Thistle in 1981 before moving to Watford in 1983. With Watford Johnston scored 23 league goals, made his international debut, and helped the team reach the 1984 FA Cup Final...
(Celtic 1984–1987, Rangers 1989–1992)
- Kenny Miller
Kenneth "Kenny" Miller is a Scottish footballer who plays as a striker for Cardiff City and the Scotland national football team...
(Rangers 2000–2001, Celtic 2006–2007, Rangers 2008–2011)
- Steven Pressley
Steven John "Elvis" Pressley is a retired Scottish footballer, who is now the manager of Scottish First Division club Falkirk. Pressley had a long playing career, playing for both halves of the Old Firm and making over 100 league appearances for both Dundee United and Hearts...
(Rangers 1990–1994, Celtic 2006–2008)
- Mark Brown (Rangers 1999–2001, Celtic 2007–2010)
External links