Old Firm facts for kids
The Old Firm is the name given to the big rivalry between two football teams in Scotland: Rangers F.C. and Celtic F.C.. These two clubs are based in Glasgow and have a long history of competing against each other. Their matches are some of the most famous and intense football games in the world.
Contents
How They Compare
These two teams have played against each other many times in different competitions. Here's a quick look at their record:
| Competition | Played | Rangers | Draw | Celtic |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scottish League | 288 | 112 | 82 | 94 |
| Scottish Cup | 46 | 16 | 8 | 22 |
| League Cup | 45 | 23 | 2 | 20 |
| Totals | 379 | 151 | 92 | 136 |
A Look at Their History
The history of the Old Firm goes way back to around 1888. This was when Celtic played their very first match, and it was against Rangers! A newspaper at the time said that the players "got on so well that you would believe that they were old firm friends." Another idea is that the name came from how much money the rivalry brought in for both clubs.
These two clubs are the most successful in Scotland. Together, they have won 63 Scottish Cups and 93 Scottish Premier League championships (as of 2007). They usually play each other four times a year in the SPL. They also often meet in the two Scottish cup competitions.
Both clubs have huge groups of supporters in Glasgow. They also have fan clubs in many towns across Scotland and in cities all over the world. The Old Firm rivalry is very important to the Scottish economy. It is estimated to be worth about £120 million.
Historically, the fans of these two clubs have often been divided by their religious backgrounds. Many Celtic supporters have been Catholics, while many Rangers supporters have been Protestants. This difference has been a part of their rivalry for a long time.
Players Who Played for Both Teams
Many famous players have played for both Rangers and Celtic. This is quite rare because of the strong rivalry between the clubs. Some of the recent players who have done this include Kenny Miller, Maurice Johnston, Steven Pressley, Mark Brown, and Barry Robson. Kenny Miller is special because he played for Rangers, then Celtic, and then went back to play for Rangers again!
Images for kids
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The tunnel behind the main stand at Celtic Park.
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Side-by-side comparison of Celtic's and Rangers' final league positions from 1891 to 2017.
See also
In Spanish: Old Firm para niños
