Introduction
If you follow Scottish football even a little, you already know that celtic vs rangers is not just a match. It is an event. Two clubs from the same city, Glasgow, meet on the pitch and the whole country stops to watch. I still remember the first time I watched an Old Firm derby. The noise, the tension, the sheer emotion on both sides told me this was something bigger than ninety minutes of football.
This article breaks down everything you need to know about celtic vs rangers. You will find the latest result, the current head to head record, why this rivalry runs so deep and what to expect from the next clash between these two Glasgow giants. Whether you are a lifelong fan or just curious about why this fixture gets so much attention, you are in the right place.
What Is Celtic vs Rangers?
Celtic vs Rangers, widely known as the Old Firm, is the football rivalry between Celtic Football Club and Rangers Football Club, both based in Glasgow, Scotland. It is one of the oldest and most watched derbies in world football, with the two clubs first meeting in a friendly back in 1888. Since then, celtic vs rangers has become the defining fixture of Scottish football every single season.
The two clubs have combined to win well over one hundred Scottish league titles between them. No other club in Scotland comes close to matching their dominance, which is exactly why every meeting between them carries so much weight.
Why Celtic vs Rangers Is One of the Biggest Rivalries in World Football
Football rivalries usually come from geography or trophies. Celtic vs rangers has both, plus a layer of history, identity and culture that few other derbies can match. Here is why it stands out globally.
- Shared city, opposite identities. Celtic Park and Ibrox sit only a few miles apart, yet the clubs represent very different communities and traditions.
- Religious and social roots. Celtic was founded by Irish Catholic immigrants, while Rangers has traditionally drawn support from the Protestant community. This history still shapes the atmosphere today.
- Constant title battles. For most of Scottish football history, the league title has come down to whichever of these two clubs finishes on top.
- Global fan base. Supporters clubs exist across Ireland, England, North America and beyond, so millions tune in for every celtic vs rangers fixture, not just fans in Glasgow.
I find that this mix of passion, pride and history is what separates celtic vs rangers from almost every other club fixture on the planet.
When Is the Next Celtic vs Rangers Match?
The first Old Firm derby of the new season is confirmed for Sunday, September 20, at Celtic Park, kicking off at midday and shown live on Sky Sports. The two sides then meet again at Ibrox on Saturday, January 2, before a third league meeting at Celtic Park on Saturday, February 27. If either club goes deep in the domestic cups, extra meetings are always possible on top of these three league fixtures.
Who Won the Last Old Firm Match?
The most recent celtic vs rangers meeting took place on May 10 at Celtic Park in the Scottish Premiership. Celtic won the match 3 to 1, closing out a season that ended with Celtic lifting the league title. It capped off a dramatic campaign in which both sides traded results across multiple Old Firm meetings, including a fiery 3 to 1 Rangers win in January and a wild 2 to 2 draw at Ibrox in March that saw Rangers throw away a two goal lead.
Key Moments From the Latest Match
- Celtic controlled large spells of possession and pressed high from kickoff.
- The home crowd at Celtic Park created a wall of noise that visibly rattled Rangers early on.
- Celtic’s attacking movement in the second half proved decisive in turning the game away from Rangers.
- The result confirmed Celtic’s position at the top of the table heading into the closing weeks of the season.
Where Can I Watch Celtic vs Rangers?
Old Firm matches are among the most heavily broadcast fixtures in Scottish football. In the United Kingdom, Sky Sports typically holds live rights to celtic vs rangers matches. In the United States, coverage has appeared on outlets like CBS Sports and their streaming platform. Availability changes by region and by season, so always check your local broadcaster or official league listings closer to matchday for exact channel and streaming details.
What Is the Head to Head Record?
The numbers behind celtic vs rangers tell their own story of balance and history. As of the most recent meeting, the two clubs have played each other 452 times across all major competitions. source: ESPN
- Celtic wins: 172
- Rangers wins: 172
- Draws: 108
That is right, the all time series sits perfectly level between the two clubs, which only adds fuel to the rivalry every time they meet. The largest ever victory in the fixture’s history was a 7 to 1 Celtic win in a Scottish League Cup match back in 1957, a scoreline Rangers fans still wince at today.
Why Is It Called the Old Firm?
The nickname Old Firm dates back over a century and reflects the idea that both clubs, despite their fierce rivalry on the pitch, have long benefited commercially and financially from playing each other. Big crowds, huge media attention and constant public interest mean both Celtic and Rangers profit from the fixture every single time it is played. Some fans dislike the phrase because it suggests business over passion, but it has stuck as the accepted term for celtic vs rangers regardless.
Current League Standings and Title Implications
Celtic enters the new campaign as reigning Scottish Premiership champions after claiming their most recent league title. Rangers finished the previous season looking to close the gap and enter this new campaign under new manager Derek McInnes, who takes charge for his first full season at Ibrox. Every celtic vs rangers fixture this season will carry direct weight in the title race, and an early result in September could shape momentum heading into the winter meetings.
Who Has Won More Old Firm Matches?
Right now nobody has the edge. Celtic and Rangers have each won exactly 172 matches out of 452 meetings, making this the most evenly balanced major rivalry in football when you consider its length. Some stretches of history favor Rangers, other stretches favor Celtic, but across more than a century of football the scales have landed perfectly even.
Why Is Celtic vs Rangers Such a Fierce Rivalry?
Beyond the football, celtic vs rangers touches on identity, community and history in a way that goes far beyond sport. The clubs represent different cultural backgrounds within Glasgow, and generations of families have passed their loyalty down through the decades. Add in decades of title race drama, controversial refereeing decisions and packed stadiums holding tens of thousands of passionate fans, and you get a fixture that feels less like a game and more like a citywide occasion.
Expected Lineups, Key Players and Tactical Analysis
Ahead of any celtic vs rangers fixture, both managers usually stick close to their strongest available squads given how much is on the line. Celtic tend to favor an attacking, possession based style built around quick wide play and pressing high up the pitch. Rangers under their new management setup are expected to focus on a organized defensive block with fast transitions and set piece threat, an approach that has troubled Celtic in recent meetings.
Key players to watch typically include Celtic’s creative midfielders who dictate tempo, and Rangers’ pacey wide players who look to exploit space on the counter attack. Injuries can shift plans quickly in matches this intense, so always check the latest team news the day before kickoff for confirmed lineups.
Form Guide and Match Statistics
Recent celtic vs rangers meetings have been high scoring and unpredictable. Three of the last four Old Firm derbies produced three or more goals, and two ended with a side coming from behind to salvage a result. This kind of back and forth form makes predicting the next celtic vs rangers match genuinely difficult, which is part of why fans find it so entertaining to follow. source: Facebook · SNN Sports
Match Predictions
Given how tightly matched these two sides remain, most neutral observers expect close, tense contests rather than one sided results. Home advantage tends to matter more than usual in this fixture because of crowd intensity, so expect the home side to hold a slight edge in each of the three scheduled meetings this season.
Conclusion
Celtic vs rangers remains the heartbeat of Scottish football, blending history, culture and pure competitive drama like few fixtures anywhere in the world. With the all time record locked at 172 wins apiece, every new meeting has the power to shift the balance, even if only slightly. As the new season kicks off with the first Old Firm derby on September 20, both sets of fans will be counting down the days. Which side do you think comes out on top this time? Share your prediction and keep this page bookmarked for updates on every celtic vs rangers clash this season.
FAQS
What does Old Firm mean?
Old Firm is the nickname for the celtic vs rangers rivalry, reflecting how both Glasgow clubs have long profited from their intense and heavily watched matches against each other.
How many times have Celtic and Rangers played each other?
The two clubs have met 452 times across all competitions, with the record split evenly at 172 wins each and 108 draws.
When was the first Old Firm match?
The very first celtic vs rangers meeting took place as a friendly on May 28, 1888, with Celtic winning 5 to 2.
Who is the biggest rival of Celtic?
Rangers is Celtic’s biggest rival, and their meetings form the Old Firm, the most significant fixture in Scottish football.
Is Celtic vs Rangers the biggest derby in the world?
It is widely regarded as one of the biggest derbies in world football due to its long history, even title record and passionate global fan base.
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About the Author : Hamid Ali is a sports writer who covers football rivalries, match analysis and league coverage across Europe. He enjoys breaking down the stories behind the biggest fixtures and helping readers understand what makes them special.
email: johanharwen@314gmail.com
Author Name: Hamid Ali