Glasgow’s Heartbeat: Inside the Unrivalled Passion of the Old Firm

In the world of football, certain rivalries go beyond the sport, becoming cultural events that resonate far beyond the field. Among these, Glasgow’s Old Firm stands alone. It’s a derby steeped in history, fueled by passion, and defined by a lasting, often fierce, rivalry that extends far beyond scores and standings.

Many storied derbies exist across the globe, but few manage to encompass all the elements quite like the Old Firm. This isn’t just a match; it’s a collision of identities, a clash between two groups whose intertwined history has shaped not only the football landscape of Scotland but the very spirit of Glasgow itself.

From “Old, Firm Friends” to Bitter Rivals: The Beginning of a Rivalry

Ironically, the term “Old Firm” itself originated from a perceived sense of camaraderie. In the 1880s, a famous Glasgow newspaper headline described Celtic and Rangers as being “like two old, firm friends,” as the clubs frequently arranged matches to capitalize on the growing popularity and financial gains of these encounters. However, any notion of friendship quickly vanished as the fixture became deeply ingrained in Scottish culture, highlighting and worsening political, religious, and social divisions throughout the country.

To understand the intensity of this rivalry, one must delve into the distinct identities of the two clubs. The seeds of the Old Firm animosity were sown in their very foundations, each with a unique origin story. Celtic FC, established in November 1887, was born from a noble purpose. Brother Walfrid, an Irish Marist Brother, founded the club as a charitable endeavor, seeking to ease the severe poverty within Glasgow’s growing Irish immigrant community in the city’s East End. “A football club will be formed for the maintenance of dinner tables for the children and unemployed,” he famously stated.

At the time, Irish immigrants, predominantly Catholic, faced prejudice and were often viewed as unwelcome in an overwhelmingly Protestant Scotland. Celtic, therefore, became more than just a football club; it was a symbol of hope, pride, and identity for a marginalized community. Today, Celtic fans continue to celebrate their historically Irish culture and origins, often expressing support for Irish Republicanism through songs and chants that recall events like the Easter Uprising of 1916 and the 1981 IRA Hunger Strikers.

Rangers, founded 15 years earlier in 1872, emerged from a different background. Playing their home games at Ibrox stadium in the city’s South Side, Rangers became embraced as “the quintessential British club,” embodying Unionism, the Royal Family, and Protestantism. This identity was further solidified by an unwritten “no Catholics” signing policy that persisted until 1989.

The signing of Mo Johnston, a Catholic and former Celtic player, in 1989 sent shockwaves through Scottish football. Instead of celebrating the breaking down of social and religious barriers, many Rangers fans reacted with outrage, burning season tickets in protest. The Chairman of the Rangers Supporters Association declared, “It’s a sad day for the club… I don’t want to see a Roman Catholic at Ibrox.” The protest extended beyond the fans, with all Scottish Rangers players boycotting the press conference announcing Johnston’s signing. Even the club’s kitman, Jimmy Bell (who, remarkably, still holds the same position today), refused to lay out Johnston’s jersey, a clear display of resistance to a Catholic presence in the Rangers dressing room.

Dominance, Drama, and Dark Days: Tales from the Old Firm

Beyond the socio-political factors, the Old Firm’s unique intensity stems from the sheer dominance of these two clubs. As of November 2023, they boast a combined tally of 180 league championships and Scottish Cups. Rangers have historically held a narrow statistical edge in the derby itself, with 169 wins to Celtic’s 167, while 93 matches ended in a draw. In terms of league titles, as of 2023, Rangers lead with 55, and Celtic follow closely with 53. In the Scottish Cup, Celtic are ahead with 41 wins to Rangers’ 34. Celtic also lead in the Scottish League Cup, with 21 wins compared to Rangers’ 28.

The rivalry has produced countless memorable moments. Celtic’s 7-1 thrashing of Rangers in the 1957 League Cup final, a record scoreline for a British domestic cup final that still stands, remains etched in the memory of Bhoys supporters. Rangers fans, in turn, cherish their 100th league victory over their rivals, a 3-0 win at Celtic Park in 1999 that secured the title and sparked chaotic scenes.

But the Old Firm’s history is not without its darker chapters. In 1931, Celtic goalkeeper John Thomson tragically died after a collision during a match. The 1971 Ibrox disaster, in which 66 Rangers fans lost their lives, cast a further shadow over the fixture. These tragedies served as stark reminders of the human cost of such intense rivalry.

A Rivalry in Transition: The Modern Old Firm

In recent times, the Old Firm has undergone a period of change. The deeply moving sight of Rangers manager Walter Smith and assistant Ally McCoist helping to carry the coffin of Celtic legend Tommy Burns in 2008 was a powerful symbol of unity.

However, the rivalry took a dramatic new turn in 2012 when Rangers entered liquidation, forcing the club to restart from the bottom tier of Scottish football. This period of rebuilding added a new dimension to the story, with Celtic enjoying a period of dominance, winning nine consecutive league titles from 2012 to 2020. Rangers’ resurgence under Steven Gerrard, culminating in their 2021 league title win, and their continued competitiveness under subsequent managers have reignited the competitive balance.

Yet, even with Rangers on a journey of recovery and Celtic adapting to new managers, the allure of the Old Firm remains undiminished. As Henrik Larsson, a veteran of both El Clásico and De Klassieker, once said, “I never experienced anything, either before or after, that compared to my Old Firm games in Scotland. That was the best atmosphere and those were the most fierce encounters I ever played in.”

The Enduring Legacy

The Old Firm is more than just a football match; it’s a cultural institution, a reflection of Glasgow’s complex history and identity. It’s a rivalry that has captivated fans worldwide, a testament to the power of football to ignite passions, forge identities, and create moments of unforgettable drama. While the intensity may ebb and flow, the Old Firm’s place in the pantheon of great sporting rivalries is secure, a timeless saga that will continue to enthrall and divide for generations to come. As of the end of the 2022-23 season, the total number of trophies won by both teams stands at 286 (Rangers with 141 and Celtic with 145), a testament to their enduring dominance in Scottish football. But numbers alone cannot capture the essence of the Old Firm – it’s the passion, the history, and the cultural significance, born from a friendly, almost ironic, beginning, that make it truly unique.