This Sunday sees the first of the Scottish Premier League’s Old Firm derby matches and as usual the build-up to this game is already under way. It’s no surprise, to say there is no love lost between these two Scottish giants. Both Rangers and Celtic have been at loggerheads with each other for over 120 years. For those football purists out there that love their football played with guile, skill and agility – best stay clear of this match. This has more to do with passion than football, rivalry dug so deep and brimming with a dark undertone.

There has been many incidents, historically noted down through the years showing the true rivalry of these clubs and what it means to support either Celtic or Rangers. Scottish football has faced bigotory within the Old Firm head-on but today, we highlight some of the famous and infamous meetings between the Old Firm and let you have a brief insight into a game that has been regarded as many as the most intense and biggest football derby in the World.

The Hugh Dallas Incident

Back in May 1999, Celtic Park was the venue for a title decider between Rangers and Celtic. After this game the SPL decided they would never again allow an Old Firm fixture decide the title race. It was a game where Hugh Dallas, was struck by a coin, attacked by Celtic supporters during the game, saw 3 players sent off, a Celtic fan fell from the top tier of Celtic Park, fighting break out between backroom staff of both clubs, Rangers and Celtic fans around Glasgow and the Central Belt of Scotland clash with serious injuries and finally also see Hugh Dallas’ house get smashed up.

The Mo Johnston Affair

For nearly 100 years the blue side of the Old Firm had a policy of never signing a Catholic player. With the arrival of Graeme Souness at the club as player / manager he blew apart this tired, aged old tradition. However, it was the controversy surrounding Souness’ first Catholic player for Rangers – Mo Johnston.

Mo Johnston had days earlier appeared in front of the cameras at Celtic Park in what looked like a return of Celtic’s prodigal son after playing stints in England and France. That deal broke down and Souness was quick to pounce, signing Johnston up for Rangers. It brought anger from both parts of the Old Firm with Rangers fans proclaiming they would never step inside Ibrox again to watch their team and with Celtic fans aghast that Johnston could ever sign for their bitter rivals.

Scottish Cup Riots

Back in 1980, during the Scottish Cup final between Rangers and Celtic a last minute deflected goal by Danny McGrain won the cup for Celtic. What followed will forever live long as shameful scenes from Scottish Football’s History. Both sets of fans ran raging battles on the pitch while TV beamed live images across the globe. Eventually, Police on horseback charged both sets of fans to help disperse the fighting crowds. After that match, alcohol, was banned at all top football matches in Scotland.

The Ibrox Disaster

On the 2nd of January 1971, another New Year Old Firm game was coming to a close. With Celtic leading 1-0 and Rangers looking unlikely to score many Rangers fans started heading for the exits. With merely seconds to go, Rangers equalised. Many of the exiting fans turned back to the ground to celebrate and the barriers on Stairway 13 gave way, killing 66 people, many of them just kids and injuring around 200. The new Ibrox stadium was borne from that disaster and is a lasting memory to those who lost their lives.

Old Firm Facts

The largest Old Firm crowd was back in 1969 at a Scottish Cup final that saw 132,870 people cram into Hampden.
Out of 378 Old Firm derbies (League, Scottish Cup and Scottish League Cup) Rangers have won 150 times, Celtic have won 136 matches while 92 matches have been drawn.

So, next time you spl betting fans happen to notice the Old Firm are playing (like this Sunday) sit down and watch a thunderous 90 minutes fly past but remember that this game doesn’t stop after the final whistle sounds – it is more of a breather until the next time this pair are ready to do battle again.