The Old Firm Derby is one of the biggest and most hotly-contested matches in world football. Glasgow giants Celtic and Rangers are great rivals and have been trading blows at the summit of Scotland’s top table for decades.
In this Celtic vs Rangers rivalry report, we look into what makes the Old Firm Derby so special, and where it ranks among the biggest derbies in the beautiful game. We also give you a guide on how to bet on the Celtic vs Rangers games in the 2023-24 season.
Celtic
Celtic are one of the oldest British football clubs, having been founded way back in 1887. The Bhoys played their first official match the following year, beating Rangers in a “friendly”.
The Celts have gone on to become one of the most successful football clubs in terms of honours and trophies. They have won 53 Scottish titles, 41 Scottish Cups, and 21 Scottish League Cups.
In Europe, Celtic won the European Cup in 1967, beating Inter Milan in the final in Lisbon. They were back in the European Cup final three years later, this time losing out to Feyenoord in Milan.
The Hoops have dominated Scottish football in recent years, winning 11 titles in the last 12 years. They have also enjoyed plenty of success in the Old Firm Derby of late.
Several huge names have donned the famous green and white jersey over the years. There are 27 former Celtic players in the Scottish Football Hall of Fame, including Jimmy Johnstone, Kenny Dalglish, Jock Stein, and Gordon Strachan.
Rangers
Rangers’ history dates back to 1872, with their first-ever match finishing in a 0-0 draw with Callander on Glasgow Green. Just 18 years after forming, Rangers won their first Scottish football league title.
The Teddy Bears are the record Scottish champions, lifting the trophy 55 times. They were the dominant force of Scottish football in the early 20th century and have consistently challenged for the championship ever since.
Rangers have also won 34 Scottish Cups and a record 27 League Cups. They won the European Cup Winners’ Cup and have been in two European finals this century. Most recently, the Light Blues finished runners-up in the 2021-22 UEFA Europa League.
After dropping down a few divisions due to administration in the early 2010s, the Gers had to sit back and watch rivals Celtic dominate the top tier for a decade. However, they ended the Hoops’ dominance by winning the 2020-21 Scottish Premiership, which was their first top-flight championship in ten years.
Rangers have also been graced with several world-class players over the years. Brian Laudrup was voted the club’s greatest-ever foreign player, while John Greig was named their greatest player of all time. The likes of Paul Gascoigne, Jim Baxter, and Ally McCoist are also Ibrox heroes.
History of the Old Firm Derby
The first-ever Celtic vs Rangers matchup to take place was a friendly fixture in May of 1888. Even though Rangers had been around longer, Celtic won the match by five goals to two.
There are well-documented political and social differences between the two Glasgow neighbours, which has no doubt added fuel to the fire over the years. On the pitch, we have seen a whole host of spicy encounters, with red cards and heated moments aplenty.
The ‘Old Firm’ term has been around since the start of the rivalry, though it remains unclear as to when and why it was first used. In the early 21st century, both clubs registered ‘Old Firm’ at the Intellectual Property Office.
A few years ago, Celtic and Rangers cut the away allocations at Celtic Park and Ibrox, with under 1000 away spectators now being allowed at Old Firm matches. Nevertheless, the atmosphere remains raucous, and attending an Old Firm game is still on the bucket list of many Celtic fans and Rangers fans alike.
Out of all the derbies throughout the world, the Old Firm Derby is up there with the fiercest and most dramatic games. The pair play each other often these days, but every single Celtic vs Rangers game is bigger than the last one.
The city of Glasgow comes to a standstill on Old Firm matchday, and the clubs generate hundreds of millions of pounds for the Scottish economy each year. The Celtic vs Rangers fixture is much more than just a game of football.
Classic Old Firm Derby Moments
The Old Firm Derby has thrown up countless classic moments over the years. One of the most memorable was Celtic’s 7-1 win in the 1957 Scottish League Cup final. The 7-1 scoreline remains the biggest margin of victory in Old Firm history and the biggest scoreline in a major British final.
Celtic outplayed their rivals in front of over 80,000 Rangers and Celtic supporters at Hampden Park, with Billy McPhail scoring a memorable hat-trick. The Bhoys netted seven goals and hit the woodwork four times in what was one of the most one-sided professional football finals of all time.
We’re used to seeing fireworks on the field between the two sets of players, but there have been occasions in the Old Firm game when tempers have flared on the touchline. In a Scottish Cup tie at Celtic Park in 2011, managers Neil Lennon and Ally McCoist had a famous bust-up at the final whistle. Celtic won 1-0 but the result was marred as three red cards were shown to Rangers players to the dismay of Rangers supporters.
In a game in 1987, the Old Firm was shamed after three players were sent off in a memorable 2-2 draw. Four players later appeared in court and were charged with breaching the peace.
Several players have controversially played for both clubs during their careers. Big names such as Mo Johnston and Kenny Miller have worn both shirts, which was greeted with fierce backlash from the supporters. Signing for a rival after playing for the other team is a cardinal sin in football.
The Old Firm Derby Today
The Old Firm Derby today is still as big as ever. With both teams expected to finish in the top two, they usually face off four times in a regular Scottish Premiership season. They are also likely to meet in domestic cup competitions.
In the 2022-23 Scottish Premiership season, the duo went head-to-head on six occasions in various competitions. There were eight goals scored across the first two meetings, with Celtic winning 4-0 at home and the reverse league meeting at Ibrox finishing 2-2.
Celtic went on to beat Rangers in the League Cup, Premiership, and FA Cup. However, Rangers finally got the better of their rivals for the first time in seven league and cup games with an emphatic 3-0 win over the Bhoys at Ibrox in the last meeting of the 2022-23 campaign.
Betting on the Old Firm Derby
You can bet on the Old Firm and all Celtic and Rangers matches with talkSPORT BET. We have betting markets for every Scottish Premiership game, with odds available on the match result, both teams to score, correct score, over/under goals, and more. We also havein-play betting options available.
You can bet on the outright title winner before and during the season. Backing the winner of the Scottish Premiership is always popular, and there are always competitive odds available when Old Firm games come around.
Keep an eye out for football offers throughout the 2023-24 season here at talkSPORT BET.
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Head-To-Head Comparison
Celtic have been the favourites to win the title in recent years, and they are usually fancied before the head-to-head meetings. The Hoops have dominated Scottish football over the past decade and remain the team to beat in Scotland these days.
However, Rangers have the edge in the overall head-to-head record. The Light Blues have won 169 of the 436 total meetings. In terms of the biggest goal-margin wins, the Bhoys have won by six goals once and five goals on two occasions. Rangers have beaten Celtic 5-0 twice, although the last of those wins came in the 19th century.
Not only have Rangers won the most Old Firm games, but they are also the record Scottish champions. The Gers have 55 titles, while the Celts have won 53. However, Rangers have picked up just one Scottish top-flight championship since 2011.
