Old Firm

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Lore & Background

The origin of the term 'Old Firm' is unclear. It may derive from commentators describing the teams as 'like two old, firm friends' after their first match, or from a satirical cartoon in 'The Scottish Referee' before the 1904 Scottish Cup final, showing an old man with a sandwich board reading 'Patronise The Old Firm: Rangers, Celtic Ltd'. The name may also reference them being among the original eleven members of the Scottish Football League formed in 1890. At the turn of the 21st century, the clubs jointly registered 'Old Firm' as a trademark, still being renewed in 2021. The rivalry has roots in more than sport, tied to Northern Ireland politics, religion (Protestant and Catholic), national identity (British or Irish Scots), and social ideology. Rangers' traditional support was largely Protestant, with an unwritten rule against signing Catholic players until Graeme Souness brought ex-Celtic forward Mo Johnston to the club. Celtic's support was largely Irish Roman Catholic, though the club signed many Protestants. Celtic fans often wave the Irish tricolour, while Rangers fans tend to wave the Union Jack. The 1909 Scottish Cup final saw supporters riot after two draws, assuming results were fixed for money; the trophy was withheld. In 1912, Belfast shipbuilders Harland and Wolff set up a Glasgow yard, and hundreds of Ulster Protestant workers adopted Rangers as their team.

In Their Own Story

In the early 2010s, Rangers endured financial difficulties, and its holding company was liquidated in 2012. The club had to apply for entry to the bottom (fourth) tier of the Scottish league. Many Celtic supporters maintain the current Rangers is distinct from the pre-2012 club, and the rivalry no longer exists under the Old Firm identity, instead using the term 'Glasgow derby'. While Rangers climbed back through the divisions, Celtic were champions in each of the next nine campaigns; Rangers won the title in 2020–21 to prevent a tenth for Celtic, which would have beaten a record set by Celtic in the 1960s and 1970s and matched by Rangers in the 1980s and 1990s. Interruptions to their ascendancy have occurred rarely, mainly in the two decades after the Second World War from 1946 to 1965 when five other clubs won the league, and in the first half of the 1980s with the challenge of the New Firm of Aberdeen and Dundee United. Since the 1985–86 season, one half of the Old Firm has won the Scottish League every season, and in all but one of seventeen seasons between 1995–96 and 2011–12, both clubs finished in the top two places. In 2005, the presence of Rangers and Celtic was estimated to be worth £120 million to the Scottish economy each year.

Reader's Guide

For Fiorentina fans, it is important to understand that the Old Firm is a purely Scottish phenomenon with no connection to Fiorentina's history. The rivalry between Celtic and Rangers is defined by sectarianism, with roots in Northern Ireland politics and religious divisions. Strathclyde Police incurred costs of £2.4 million for the seven derbies played during the 2010–11 season, with clubs contributing only £0.3 million. On Old Firm weekends, violent attacks increase ninefold over normal levels, and an increase in domestic abuse can be attributed to Old Firm fixtures. The majority of supporters do not get involved in sectarianism, but serious incidents occur, with actions of a minority dominating headlines. Fiorentina's own rivalries, such as the Derby d'Italia against Juventus, are rooted in different historical and cultural contexts. Confusing these distinct football cultures would misrepresent the true identity of Fiorentina's competitive landscape. The Old Firm remains a unique chapter in British sporting history, separate from the traditions of Italian football.

Did You Know?

• As of 10 May 2026, Celtic and Rangers have played each other 452 times in major competitions, with both clubs winning 172 matches each and 108 draws.
• Between them, the two clubs have won 111 Scottish League championships (Celtic 56, Rangers 55), 77 Scottish Cups (Celtic 43, Rangers 34), and 50 Scottish League Cups (Rangers 28, Celtic 22).
• The term 'Old Firm' was jointly registered as a trademark by the two clubs at the turn of the 21st century, and it was still being renewed in 2021.
• In the 1909 Scottish Cup final, supporters of both teams rioted after two draws, assuming results were being fixed to make more money; the trophy was withheld.
• Strathclyde Police incurred costs of £2.4 million for the seven derbies played during the 2010–11 season, with the clubs only contributing £0.3 million.