Football world: History of the Old Firm
Let's explore the history of one of the world's most unique sporting rivalries
We will also examine some of the best matches between the two sides
Picture taken from 2021/2022 season
What is the Old Firm?
The Old Firm is the collective name for Celtic and Rangers. The two clubs are by far the most successful and popular in Scotland, and the rivalry between them has become deeply embedded in Scottish culture. It has reflected and contributed to, political, social, and religious division and sectarianism in Scotland. As a result, the fixture has had an enduring appeal in all areas of the world.
Dominance of Scottish football
Between them, the two clubs have won 107 Scottish League championships, Rangers with 55 and Celtic with 52. 74 Scottish Cups, Celtic with 40 and Rangers with 34 and 47 Scottish League Cups (Rangers with 27 and Celtic with 20). Interruptions to their ascendancy have occurred rarely, mainly in the two decades after the Second World War from 1946 to 1965 when five other clubs all won the senior league, and in the first half of the 1980s with the challenge of the New Firm of Aberdeen and Dundee United.
Beginning with the 1985–86 season, one-half of the Old Firm has won the Scottish League every season and in all but one of seventeen seasons between 1995–96 and 2011–12, both clubs finished in the top two places.
Financial problems for Rangers
In the early 2010s, Rangers endured financial difficulties, and its holding company was liquidated in 2012. Subsequently, the team had to apply for entry to the bottom tier of the Scottish league. They climbed to the top division in four seasons and winning the title again in 2020–21. Celtic were champions in each of the intervening nine campaigns but failed to claim the tenth, which would have beaten a record set by them in the 1960s/70s and matched by Rangers in the 1980s/90s. The 2020/2021 season was a disaster for Celtic and the failure to catch that elusive 10th title cost Neil Lennon his job and forced the Celtic board to make serious changes to their club.
Is the Old Firm actually dead?
As a result of these circumstances, a proportion of Celtic supporters maintain that the current Rangers is distinct from the pre-2012 club and the rivalry no longer exists under the Old Firm identity; instead, they (and often Celtic themselves) use the more generic term "Glasgow derby" to refer to the rivalry These financial problems were met with great sympathy from Celtic fans.
Memorable matches between the two clubs
Do you remember the first time?
The first game between Celtic and Rangers was a friendly in 1888. It´s thought that around 2,000 people were in attendance. It is believed that this could have been greater but for the International Exhibition taking place the same day through in the West End. Can you imagine a friendly between the two sides now?
Celtic 6 - 2 Rangers. 2000
A game that is still spoken about by Celtic fans today. The game was a sign that Celtic were on the cusp of something special. One title aside, in 1998, Celtic had been miles behind Rangers for the previous decade. The Bhoys would go onto finish the season by winning the domestic treble. Celtic fans can watch the highlights of that match in the video below. Footage from SPFL - YouTube
Rangers 3 - 2 Celtic. 2002 Scottish Cup Final
An extraordinary final that was settled by a late header from Lovenkrands. The goal caused complete mayhem in the Rangers end of the ground. You can relive that incredible match by watching the highlights below.