The Old Firm derby may not have as much star quality in recent times but it is still one of the fiercest rivalries that the football world has to offer.
Celtic and Rangers have provided some truly memorable moments over the years – good and bad – and the two titans of Scottish football go toe-to-toe again on 30th December 2023 at the home of the Bhoys.
Compared to other derbies from across the globe such as Argentina’s Superclasico and Spain’s El Clasico, the Old Firm rivalry is right up there as it is more than just about football.
Local bragging rights, national identity and religion all come in to the equation but why has the Old Firm derby between Celtic and Rangers lost it’s glamour?
Here at SportsLens, we take a closer look at both club’s recent record in European competitions, their H2H record and why the Old Firm derby has taken a fall from grace.
Celtic Vs Rangers H2H
The very first meeting between the sides came way back in May 1888 in a friendly fixture which saw Celtic run out 5-2 winners.
It is widely accepted that both sets of players enjoyed a dinner after the match and wished each other well and toasted good health.
Somehow, this provided the catalyst for one of the biggest football rivalries in the world to develop over the years in to what we know it as today.
Overall, the Celtic vs Rangers H2H record is pretty even. Since 1891, when they first met in a competitive fixture, the Old Firm derby has been contested 437 times.
332 of those have been in the Scottish league with the Gers boasting 169 wins compared to the Hoops 166. Therefore, there has been 102 draws between the Glasgow giants.
Celtic And Rangers Trophies
Scottish football’s fiercest rivals have undoubtedly lifted more silverware than any other club based north of the border. Similar to the Celtic vs Rangers H2H record, their trophy hauls are almost identical but it’s Rangers who can just about take the bragging rights.
The Gers have won 118 major honours compared to Celtic’s 116. Rangers have won the Scottish league and Scottish League Cup more times than their rivals but Celtic boast more Scottish Cup victories and they also won the European Cup in 1967 under Jock Stein.
🏟️ Glasgow Derby 🔜#CELRAN | #cinchPrem | #COYBIG🍀 pic.twitter.com/uqBCst6wP6
— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) December 28, 2023
Celtic And Rangers Trophies Summary
- Scottish League – Celtic (53) Rangers (55)
- Scottish Cup – Celtic (41) Rangers (34)
- Scottish League Cup – Celtic (21) Rangers (28)
- European Cup/Champions League – Celtic (1) Rangers (0)
- European Cup Winners’ Cup – Celtic (0) Rangers (1)
Celtic European Cup Record
Perhaps one of the main reason the Old Firm derby between Celtic and Rangers has lost it’s glamour is not down the actual rivalry itself, but to how poor they have both performed in European competitions in recent times.
Celtic were the first ever British team to win the European Cup when they got the better of a legendary Internazionale side 2-1 in the final in 1967. They would later become known as the ‘Lisbon Lions’ (where the showpiece event was held).
Nowadays, the Bhoys are nowhere near the level they were at in the 1960s (where they also finished as runners-up in 1969/70) and they have won just one of their last 12 UEFA Champions League matches.
It’s almost as if the lure of playing for Celtic has disintegrated somewhat but 20 years ago, the Hoops had the likes of Henrik Larsson, Stiliyan Petrov, Didier Agathe, Johan Mjällby and Paul Lambert in the ranks for the UEFA Cup final.
In the present era, Celtic don’t boast any players of the same calibre as the aforementioned which does beg the question; is playing for Celtic not as attractive as it used to be? The answer is surely yes, but why?
👀 Scott Brown gives his prediction for Celtic vs Rangers…
Agree or disagree? 👇 pic.twitter.com/Sikjmy822c
— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) December 26, 2023
Rangers Record In Europe
The same can be said for arch rivals Rangers. It just doesn’t seem to appeal to top level players to ply their trade in Scotland anymore.
The only plausible explanation for this – other than the weather and club finances – is that their bipolar form in Europe is turning top players away from them.
In 2022, Rangers went all the way to the UEFA Europa League final and only lost out to Frankfurt on penalties. It was a herculean effort to get that far but in reality, the Gers should be doing better in Europe’s elite competition.
A season later, they lost all six Champions League group stage games which evidently goes to show the gulf in class between the top two major European competitions.
Rangers only success on the continent came back in 1971/72, where they beat Dynamo Moscow in the Cup Winners’ Cup final at the Camp Nou.
2023/24 Scottish Champions
The final Old Firm derby of 2023 will almost certainly be an explosive affair as Celtic and Rangers meet at Celtic Park but which Glasgow giant will be celebrating the win?
The best UK betting sites make Brendan Rodgers side the 6/5 match favourites with the draw at 13/5, Rangers can be backed at 23/10.
In terms of the title race, Celtic hold a five-point lead but Philippe Clement’s men have two games in hand. A win at the home of their bitter rivals will give the Gers the upper hand to go on and win the 2023/24 Scottish Premiership.
Just imagine, a good old fashioned title race between Celtic and Rangers coupled with both sides making positive strides in the Champions League in future seasons will no doubt put the glamour back in to the Old Firm derby.
Fans of both sides absolutely deserve it and football supporters from all over the world will likely reignite their interest in one of football’s oldest and greatest rivalries.
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