Old Firm

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Lore & Background

Between them the two clubs are among the most trophied in the world, having won a combined 111 Scottish League championships (Celtic with 56 and Rangers with 55), 77 Scottish Cups (Celtic with 43 and Rangers with 34), and 50 Scottish League Cups (Rangers with 28 and Celtic with 22). 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 won the league, and in the first half of the 1980s with the challenge of the New Firm of Aberdeen and Dundee United. Since 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. 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. While Rangers climbed back through the divisions, Celtic were champions in each of the next nine campaigns; Rangers won the title in 2020–21 to prevent a tenth for Celtic, which would have beaten a record set by Celtic in the 1960s and 1970s and matched by Rangers in the 1980s and 1990s. 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. The clubs have large fan bases around Glasgow and Scotland and have supporters clubs in many towns throughout Scotland and in cities around the world. In 2005 the presence of Rangers and Celtic was estimated to be worth £120 million to the Scottish economy each year.

In Their Own Story

Between 1946 and 1965, five other clubs interrupted the Old Firm's dominance, but since the 1985–86 season, one half has won every Scottish League title. The first half of the 1980s saw challenges from Aberdeen and Dundee United known as the 'New Firm.' In the early 2010s, Rangers faced liquidation in 2012, forcing them into the fourth tier; many Celtic supporters argue this ended the Old Firm identity, preferring the term 'Glasgow derby' for current matches. As Rangers climbed back, Celtic won nine consecutive titles until Rangers secured the 2020–21 championship, preventing a historic tenth straight win that would have matched records from the 1960s and 1980s. By 10 May 2026, the clubs had met 452 times in major competitions: both won 172 matches each with 108 draws.

Reader's Guide

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 between the sides, depicting an elderly man with a sandwich board reading 'Patronise The Old Firm: Rangers, Celtic Ltd', highlighting the mutual commercial benefits of their meetings. 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 (although others from that group, such as Heart of Midlothian and St Mirren, also continue to play at the highest level to this day). At the turn of the 21st century, 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.

Did You Know?

• The rivalry has roots in Northern Ireland as well as Scotland, reflected in flags and cultural symbols.
• Rangers had an unwritten rule against signing Catholic players until Graeme Souness brought Mo Johnston to the club.
• The 1909 Scottish Cup final between the two clubs ended in a riot after two draws, and the trophy was withheld.