Old Firm

Verified Timeline

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.

In Their Own Story

In April 1902, a wooden stand at Ibrox collapsed during a Scotland v England match, killing 25 and injuring hundreds. Rangers sold star players to rebuild, allowing Celtic to win six consecutive titles from 1905–1910. The 1904 Scottish Cup final, where the term 'Old Firm' may have originated, saw intense rivalry grow as both clubs profited financially. In 1909, after two draws and a replay ordered due to rioting fans who suspected result-fixing for profit, the trophy was withheld amid injuries and damage at Hampden Park. The 2010s brought turmoil: Rangers' liquidation in 2012 led some Celtic supporters to claim the rivalry no longer exists under the Old Firm identity, preferring 'Glasgow derby'. Yet in 2020–21, Rangers won the title, stopping Celtic's bid for a tenth consecutive championship—a record set by Celtic in the 60s/70s and matched by Rangers in the 80s/90s.

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. Neil McGarvey of Kerrydale Street noted changing demographics: once no Rangers fans existed in his Catholic school, now about 5% support them. 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.
• Rangers were forced to re-enter the fourth tier of Scottish football after liquidation in 2012.
• Between 1946 and 1965, five different clubs interrupted the Old Firm's league dominance.
• In 2005, the combined economic impact of both clubs was estimated at £120 million annually.