One of the fiercest rivalries in world football

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Scottish Clubs

The name Old Firm (sometimes called the Auld Firm) is a collective term for the Glaswegian football clubs, Rangers and Celtic. Its modern usage is generally as a neutral shorthand for the two clubs, for example when describing their derby matches. more...

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Its origin, however, is as a pejorative term to imply that the two clubs are running the scene, together, against the wishes of the other clubs in Scotland. The term is derived from the lucrative nature of contests between the two, and the suspicion that the clubs have colluded to ensure their profitability, at the expense of other teams.

The two clubs are easily the most successful in Scotland, having won between them 63 Scottish Cups and 91 League championships (as of 2006). Interruptions to their ascendancy have occurred infrequently, most recently with the challenge of the New Firm of Aberdeen and Dundee United in the first half of the 1980s. Starting with the 1995-96 season, the Old Firm clubs finished in the top two places in every season until 2005-06, when Hearts finished second behind Celtic. The clubs' large supports, which are far greater than those of other Scottish clubs, means that the Scottish Premier League - which has always been dominated by the Old Firm - has become even less competitive.

The result of the combination of the two clubs' dominance of Scottish football, and their significance in social, cultural and political terms, is that both Celtic and Rangers are prominent institutions in Scottish life to a degree beyond what would be expected for large football clubs elsewhere in Britain.

Players who have played for both sides of the Old Firm include Alfie Conn, Jr., Maurice Johnston and Kenny Miller.

As of September 23, 2006, the two teams had played each other 372 times, with Rangers winning 147 matches, Celtic 134 matches and 91 draws.

Rivalry

The competition between the two clubs has its roots in more than just a simple sporting rivalry. It is infused with a series of complex disputes, sometimes centred on religion (Catholic and Protestant) and Northern Ireland politics. The result has been an enduring enmity between fans that has extended beyond the kind of intra-city footballing rivalry that might be expected in situations where two clubs dominate a country's footballing scene. This has been manifested in a history laden with sectarian violence, sometimes leading to deaths.

Increasingly in recent years, both clubs have frequently participated in initiatives and campaigns along with religious organisations and the Scottish Executive directed at removing the sectarian undercurrent, including supporting pressure group Nil by Mouth. However, disagreements about what constitutes sectarian behaviour have undermined progress in these matters, and consensus over what types of songs and flags are acceptable remains difficult to achieve.