-
Celtic and Rangers share one of the fiercest rivalries in world football
-
The two Glasgow clubs play each other three times in the league per season
-
Rangers have the edge historically over their 425 meetings in major competition
Not many football betting occasions can rival Celtic vs Rangers. The two biggest and most successful clubs in Scotland have massive and committed fan bases.
They have over a century of history as rivals, and they share a city which is as passionate about its football as any in Europe.
Their prominence in European football picks has waned over the last few decades. Scottish football cannot compete with the riches in England, Spain, Italy and Germany, but Old Firm derbies are still must-watch for football fans worldwide.
A good rivalry needs history. It needs to be a close live betting matchup. Celtic and Rangers tick all the boxes – here’s all you need to know about one of sport’s great duels…
Celtic vs Rangers Rivalry
The Celtic vs Rangers rivalry is well over 100 years old. It has long been acknowledged as one of Britain’s biggest derbies, and with good reason. Referred to as the ‘Old Firm’, it’s unclear where the name came from.
Some believe its their status as founder members of the Scottish Football League, while others would argue it’s a reference to a cartoon ahead of a Scottish Cup Final in the early years of the 20th century.
Where other sporting rivalries are modern developments, or focused on on-pitch scuffles, the Old Firm is far deeper than two football clubs disliking each other.
It’s more than football. This Celtic vs Rangers rivalry encompasses religion, Northern Irish politics, societal outlook and national identity.
The hostile atmosphere in the stadia for the Old Firm matches has often boiled over. The nature of the rivalry has resulted in plenty of unsavoury incidents, and this has even ended in some alarming scenes on the pitch.
Back in 1987, for instance, four players were charged with breach of the peace, with two of them (Chris Woods and Terry Butcher) ultimately being convicted and fined.
Players have been caught making gestures to the crowd, and infamously in 2000, Rangers midfielder Barry Ferguson was sent off in the match and involved in a brawl with Celtic fans at a hotel later that night.
Rangers’ financial collapse in 2012 meant a brief pause for the rivalry. Some even claimed it was the end of the rivalry, though the SPFL chief executive deemed Rangers are a continuation of the same club, meaning that statistics carry over.
Celtic vs Rangers Head To Head
Like everything with these two teams, the head-to-head record is relatively close. Rangers have a slight edge with 130 total wins to Celtic’s tally of 119, but there’s little to choose between them when it comes to goal scoring.
Cup football, however, favours Celtic. They have 25 wins over Rangers in the Scottish Cup, and have won the competition seven more times.
The League Cup has been kinder to The Gers, though, having lifted the trophy 27 times. They are dead even in League Cup matches with 24 wins apiece.
-
Celtic wins vs Rangers: 119
-
Celtic vs Rangers draws: 90
-
Rangers wins vs Celtic: 130
-
Celtic goals vs Rangers: 457
-
Rangers goals vs Celtic: 472
Celtic vs Rangers League Results
Celtic and Rangers first clashed in the league in 1891. They have matched up 323 times since then, with Rangers having the upper hand in league encounters. It’s 125 Rangers wins in league action compared to 110 for Celtic.
Although making up ground following Rangers’ financial troubles, Celtic are still four league titles behind their arch rivals.
Rangers have been crowned Scottish champions on 55 occasions, a tally which matches up with some of the most successful clubs in world football.
Celtics vs Rangers League H2H Record
-
Celtic wins – 110
-
Rangers wins – 125
-
Draws - 88
Next Celtic vs Rangers Match
Celtic are scheduled to host Rangers for only one league meeting in 2021/22 as it stands.
This is due to be played on 2nd January 2022, with Celtic looking for their first win at Celtic Park against Rangers since March 2019.
Next Rangers vs Celtic Match
The next match between Rangers and Celtic at Ibrox is due to take place on 29th August 2021.
Rangers are carrying a five-match unbeaten run into the fixture. Steven Gerrard’s team were the dominant force in Scottish football last season, winning their first top flight title since 2011.
Biggest Celtic win vs Rangers:
- Celtic 7-1 Rangers on 19th October 1957.
Biggest Rangers win vs Celtic:
- Rangers 5-0 Celtic on 2nd September 1893 and 1st January 1894.
Most Celtic vs Rangers Appearances
Alec Smith has the most appearances in Old Firm history with 87. Smith played for Rangers in the fierce rivalry between 1894 and 1913, and he’s 13 appearances clear of the next most.
Paul McStay is Celtic’s leader in Old Firm appearances. McStay’s career is a lot more recent than Smith’s, though his final Old Firm outing was still back in 1997.
McStay is the top of the pile when it comes to league matches. The Celtic great made 54 of his 70 appearances in the league.
As of the end of 2018/19, only seven players had made 40 or more Old Firm appearances in league matches. One of which is the universally loved Ally McCoist, who features throughout the Old Firm record books…
Celtic vs Rangers Top Scorer
Ally McCoist is better known for his superb co-commentary these days, but he’s the owner of plenty of goal scoring records.
McCoist has the most goals in Old Firm history, and while he might not feature among the SPFL top scorers, he sits fifth all-time in Scottish League goals scored.
McCoist scored 26 goals in 55 Old Firm outings. That return puts him three ahead of R.C. Hamilton, and five clear of Celtic’s all-time Old Firm leading scorer. That honour goes to Jimmy McGrory, who scored 22 times in 35 derby appearances.
*Credit for the main photo belongs to Scott Heppell / AP Photo*
FIRST PUBLISHED: 24th July 2021
