Here’s all you need to know about the biggest rivalry in Scottish football, why it’s called the Old Firm and more.
Celtic vs Rangers is one of the most passionate – and heated – club football rivalries in the world, matching the intensity of the likes of El Clasico between Barcelona and Real Celtic
The two Scottish teams have a storied rivalry, their match-up extending past the limits of football and into deeper themes of national identity, politics and religion.
GOAL has everything you need to know about why it’s called the Old Firm derby, the history behind the two clubs and more.
Why is Celtic vs Rangers called the Old Firm derby?
It is understood that the Celtic-Rangers rivalry has been dubbed the “Old Firm” since the early 20th century, when the two faced each off against each other in the 1904 Scottish Cup Final.
The magazine The Scottish Referee had drawn up a satirical cartoon of the two rivals in the lead-up to the game, acknowledging the commercialisation of their high-profile meetings that attracted large crowds and fervent support. A panel in the comic showed a man with a sandwich board that read: “Patronise The Old Firm: Rangers, Celtic Ltd”.
Why do Celtic fans say there is no Old Firm derby?
Many Celtic fans take the antagonistic view that the Old Firm derby does not exist any more following the financial collapse of Rangers in 2012, which led to Rangers being run by a new company.
Instead, some Bhoys supporters and, indeed, the club itself, prefer to use the term ‘Glasgow derby‘ to describe meetings between the two teams. By contrast, Rangers, notably, continue to officially use ‘Old Firm’.
Relatedly, due to their ‘death’ and ‘rebirth’, Rangers and their fans are commonly disparagingly referred to by Celtic’s support as ‘zombies’.
Why do Celtic and Rangers have such a deep rivalry?
Celtic and Rangers are the most successful in Scottish football, but that’s only one facet of their heated, deep-seated rivalry with one another.
Their rivalry is rooted in a divide of views regarding religion, identity and politics, as well their relationship with Ireland, particularly Northern Ireland.
Traditionally, Rangers supporters align themselves as native Scots or Ulster Scots as well as Protestant and Loyalist, while Celtic fans tend to be Irish-Scots and Catholic and Republican.
Rangers fans also tend to identify more as pro-British, waving Union Jack flags at matches while Celtic supporters are more commonly seen waving the Irish tricolour.
Rangers’ history is deeply rooted in the Protestant community, and until Graeme Souness became manager in 1986, went decades without signing a Catholic player. Souness signing ex-Celtic forward Mo Johnstonin 1989 brought an end to the practise, which is no longer continued.
When the transfer of Johnston was confirmed, the reported that he was Rangers’ “first major Roman Catholic signing”, further relating that the deal “caused some fans to demand their money back for season tickets”.