Old Firm

Glasgow's most successful clubs, Celtic and Rangers, whose rivalry defines Scottish football.

The Old Firm is the collective term for Celtic and Rangers, two Glasgow-based clubs that dominate Scottish football. Their rivalry is deeply embedded in culture, reflecting political, social, and religious divisions. Together they hold 111 League championships (Celtic 56, Rangers 55), 77 Scottish Cups (Celtic 43, Rangers 34), and 50 League Cups (Rangers 28, Celtic 22). They rarely lost the title to others except between 1946–1965 and in the early 1980s. Since 1985–86, one of them has won every league. Rangers faced liquidation in 2012, re-entering the fourth tier, while Celtic won nine titles straight until Rangers broke the streak in 2020–21. As of 10 May 2026, they have met 452 times: 172 wins each and 108 draws.

Quick Facts

Other names

Glasgow derby

Location

Glasgow, Scotland

First meeting

28 May 1888
Friendly
Celtic 5–2 Rangers

Latest meeting

10 May 2026
Scottish Premiership
Celtic 3–1 Rangers

Total meetings

452

Most wins

Both clubs (172)

Largest victory

Celtic 7–1 Rangers; Scottish League Cup (19 October 1957)

Lore & Background

The term 'Old Firm' likely stems from a satirical cartoon in The Scottish Referee before the 1904 Scottish Cup final, showing an elderly man with a board reading 'Patronise The Old Firm: Rangers, Celtic Ltd', highlighting their mutual commercial gain. It may also refer to both being original members of the 1890 Scottish Football League. At the turn of the 21st century, the clubs jointly registered the term as a trademark, renewed as late as 2021. The rivalry's roots extend beyond sport: founded in 1872 with no religious leanings, Rangers became associated with Protestant and Unionist identity after Ulster workers from Harland & Wolff moved to Glasgow in 1912. Their clashes mirrored Northern Ireland's politics, with flags like the Irish tricolour and Union Jack often flown instead of Scottish ones.

Reader's Guide

Derby days bring heightened tension: violent attacks rise ninefold on Old Firm weekends, with Strathclyde Police spending £2.4 million across seven matches in 2010–11 while clubs contributed only £0.3 million. Between April 2016 and December 2017, nine matches were played—three at each stadium and three at Hampden. While most fans avoid sectarianism, minority actions dominate headlines. In 2005, both clubs joined a project to tackle bigotry, yet prosecutions continued. Despite blurring religious lines and higher interfaith marriages, the fixture remains economically vital, estimated at £120 million annually to Scotland's economy in 2005.

Did You Know?

As of 10 May 2026, Celtic and Rangers have played each other exactly 452 times in major competitions.
Both clubs have won exactly 172 matches against each other, with 108 draws recorded.
Between 1946 and 1965, five different clubs interrupted the Old Firm's league dominance.