Brendan Rodgers’ Old Firm record as Celtic manager makes him the most successful boss in the fixture’s 135-year history.
The first meeting between the two was a “friendly” in 1888, which Celtic won 5-2. Since then, there have been 437 Old Firm derbies over the years, with Rangers edging the head-to-head record in competitive fixtures.
They have won 169 to Celtic’s 166, with 102 drawn matches. But in the entire history of the bitter rivalry, no manager has achieved a better winning percentage than current Celtic boss, Brendan Rodgers.
From the likes of Jock Stein and Bill Struth to Martin O’Neill and Steven Gerrard, there have been some legendary managers in both dugouts on Old Firm Day.
Plenty of bosses have earned their place in the history books for both clubs. While trophies have been important, their records in the Old Firm derby are what matters most to many fans.
And with this weekend hosting yet another incarnation of one of football’s biggest derbies, it’s the current Celtic boss who takes top spot.
Best Old Firm Win Records As A Manager
- Brendan Rodgers (Celtic) – 79% – P14 W11
- Steven Gerrard (Rangers) – 62% – P13 W8
- Martin O’Neill (Celtic) – 59% – P27 W16
- Bill Struth (Rangers) – 57% – P116 W66
- Ange Postecoglou (Celtic) – 55% – P11 W6
- Graeme Souness (Rangers) – 52% – P37 W14
- Walter Smith (Rangers) – 50% – P56 W28
- Jock Stein (Celtic) – 50% – P58 W29
- Scot Symon (Rangers) – 48% – P61 W29
- Billy McNeill (Celtic) – 48% – P46 W22
Celtic’s Brendan Rodgers has won 11 and lost just one of his 14 Old Firm derbies in charge of the Hoops. His win rate of 79% is the best of any manager in the fixture’s history – for either club.
Steven Gerrard takes top spot on the blue side of Glasgow. Gerrard took charge of the club on 1 June 2018 after former boss Graeme Murty was dismissed. On 29 December, Gerrard guided Rangers to their first win over Celtic since 2012, winning 1-0.
The former Liverpool legend led Rangers through one of the best season’s in the club’s history in 2020/21. They claimed back-to-back Old Firm wins, and topped their Europa League group.
In March 2021, Rangers won the Scottish Premiership without losing a single game, picking up 102 points and conceding just 13 goals in 38 matches.
But since then, Celtic have had the upper hand in Old Firm games. Of the fifteen times they have met since Rangers lifted the title, Celtic have won seven to Rangers’ five, with three draws.
Their most dominant spell came under Rodgers in his first stint at the club, though. From September 2016 until December 2018, Celtic won ten from 13 Old Firm games, and lost just once.
With the two sides going head to head again this weekend, Celtic fans will be hoping for more of the same, whilst those backing Rangers expect an improvement on recent results.
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