Glasgow Derby

The Old Firm: one of the world's biggest football derbies.

Rangers have a long-standing rivalry with Celtic, the two Glasgow clubs being collectively known as the Old Firm. Considered one of the world's biggest football derbies, this contest is deeply linked to sectarianism in Glasgow, with Rangers and its fanbase associated with Protestantism and British unionism. The first-ever match between the sides took place in 1888, a year after Celtic's establishment. In that debut friendly, Rangers lost 5–2 against an opposition composed largely of guest players from Hibernian.

Quick Facts

First meeting: 1888
Home grounds: Ibrox Stadium (Rangers), Celtic Park (Celtic)
Competitive status: Active

Lore & Background

Rangers achieved a record aggregate victory over Celtic in the Southern Football League during the wartime regional setup, winning 8–1. Conversely, they suffered their biggest Old Firm margin of defeat when losing 7–1 to Celtic under manager Scot Symon's tenure. On 2 January 1939, the traditional New Year's Day match at Ibrox set a British league attendance record with 118,567 fans turning out as Rangers beat Celtic. The intensity of these fixtures is further underscored by the tragic events of 2 January 1971, when large-scale crushing on a stairway exit during an Old Firm game claimed 66 lives.

Reader's Guide

For supporters, the Old Firm represents the pinnacle of Scottish football. With more than 600 Rangers supporters' clubs in 35 countries worldwide, the fanbase is immense, holding the record for the largest travelling support when an estimated 200,000 fans arrived in Manchester for the 2008 UEFA Cup final and 100,000 in Seville for the 2022 UEFA Europa League final. The atmosphere at Ibrox Stadium, a Category B listed building opened in 1929, is defined by this global devotion.