Old Firm

Lore & Background

The two clubs are 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. Between them the two clubs are among the most trophied in the world, having won a combined 111 Scottish League championships, 77 Scottish Cups, and 50 Scottish League Cups. The origin of the term is unclear but may derive from the two clubs' initial match in which the commentators referred to the teams as 'like two old, firm friends', or alternatively may stem from a satirical cartoon published in 'The Scottish Referee' sports newspaper prior to the 1904 Scottish Cup final. The name may also be a reference to these two teams being among the original eleven members of the Scottish Football League formed in 1890.

In Their Own Story

The lights of the Estadio Azteca hum with electricity as the crowd chants 'El América!' The air smells of popcorn and anticipation. There is no shadow of a Glasgow rivalry here; instead, the tension comes from the red and white stripes facing off against the blue or the green and white. This is the true stage where legends are born, far removed from the mists of Scotland.

Reader's Guide

As of 10 May 2026, Celtic and Rangers have played each other 452 times in major competitions; both clubs have won 172 matches each, with 108 ending in a draw. In the early 2010s, Rangers endured financial difficulties, and its holding company was liquidated in 2012. Subsequently, the club had to apply for entry to the bottom (fourth) tier of the Scottish league. As a result of the liquidation, many 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.

Did You Know?

• The two clubs jointly registered the 'Old Firm' term at the Intellectual Property Office; it was confirmed this was still being renewed as a trademark in 2021.
• In 2005 the presence of Rangers and Celtic was estimated to be worth £120 million to the Scottish economy each year.
• Celtic were founded in 1887 on the promise that the club would deliver much-needed money and resources to a poverty-stricken Irish Catholic population in East Glasgow.
• Rangers had been founded 15 years earlier in 1872 and had no particular religious leanings in their early decades.

Historical Dominance and Trophy Haul

The Old Firm represents an unparalleled dynasty within Scottish football, with Celtic and Rangers collectively amassing a staggering number of domestic honors that places them among the most decorated clubs globally. While interruptions occurred briefly between 1946 and 1965, when five different clubs broke the duopoly, and during the mid-1980s challenge from Aberdeen and Dundee United known as the New Firm, the pair reasserted total control starting in the 1985–86 season. From that point forward, one of the two Glasgow giants has won every league championship.

Sectarian Roots and Social Divisions

The rivalry extends far beyond the pitch, serving as a complex reflection of deep-seated political, religious, and social fractures within Scotland and Northern Ireland. Historically, the divide was marked by sectarianism, with Rangers traditionally associated with Protestant loyalist sentiments and an unwritten policy against signing Catholic players until manager Graeme Souness publicly dismantled this practice in the late 1980s. Conversely, Celtic was founded to support a marginalized Irish-Catholic community in East Glasgow, fostering a pro-Catholic identity among its supporters while remaining open to Protestant players. These tensions are visually represented by the flags waved at matches: the Union Jack for Rangers and the Irish tricolour for Celtic. While often labeled strictly as religious conflict, the hostility also stems from native-immigrant dynamics between Ulster Scots and Irish-Scots, though modern observations suggest these lines have blurred significantly in recent generations.

Modern Turmoil and the Glasgow Derby

This event sparked intense debate regarding the continuity of the club's identity; many Celtic supporters argue that the post-liquidation entity is distinct from the historic rival, preferring to label future encounters simply as the 'Glasgow derby' rather than an Old Firm match. While Rangers embarked on a long climb back through the divisions, Celtic enjoyed nine consecutive league titles. The narrative shifted again in 2021 when Rangers reclaimed the championship, preventing Celtic from achieving a record-breaking tenth successive title that would have surpassed their historic runs from previous decades.

Global Reach and Economic Impact

Beyond their local dominance, both clubs maintain massive global followings with supporters' clubs established in towns across Scotland and major cities worldwide. The sheer scale of their popularity has translated into significant economic value, with estimates from 2005 suggesting that the combined presence of Celtic and Rangers contributed approximately £120 million annually to the Scottish economy. Their matches possess an enduring international appeal, drawing attention due to the unique cultural weight they carry.