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Celtic and Rangers – the so-called Old Firm – have produced some of the most notable – and notorious – derby matches in the history of world football.
The rivalry has as its underpinnings a complex cocktail of social, political and, yes, religious and ethnic issues that divide supporters of the two Glasgow clubs, creating a tension that has led to fierce battles both on and off the pitch.
However, this Sunday’s Scottish Cup semi-final will mark only the second time the two storied rivals have faced each other over the past four years. Financial problems even more complicated than the historic divisions between the two sides forced the relegation of Rangers in 2012 to the lowest levels of Scottish football.
With Rangers set to return to the Premiership next season, regular Old Firm matches will soon return to the regular fixture list and Celtic, on the verge of winning its fifth league title in a row, will once again face a stiff challenge on the domestic front.
Until then, however, we have Sunday’s match to whet our appetites. What do we have to look forward to?
Here are some of the most memorable games in the history of the Old Firm:
1. Celtic 2, Rangers 2 – October 17, 1987
Tabloids love to use the headline “Shame Game” to describe Old Firm clashes, and there are several matches that live up to the monicker.
This contest featured three red cards (and two fights) on the pitch and 62 arrests in the stands. Four players were later charged with “conduct likely to cause a breach of the peace.”
2. Celtic 1, Rangers 0 – March 2, 2011
This match was rough from the onset, but the pyrotechnics for Shame Game II – this Scottish Cup third-round tie at Celtic Park – were set off by the sending off of mercurial Rangers striker El-Hadji Diouf.
At the final whistle, then-Celtic manager Neil Lennon faced off with then-Rangers assistant manager Ally McCoist.
3. Rangers 1, Celtic 1 – January 2, 1971
Shame Games aside, sometimes even the most bitter of enemies can come together in times of trouble. After Rangers scored a late equalizer to tie this Old Firm match at Ibrox, supporters exiting the park via stairway 13 soon encountered an overcrowding problem. The exact cause remains unknown, although it has been attributed to a chain reaction resulting from the fall of a young child being carried by his father. In the crush of humanity that ensued, 66 supporters were killed and more than 200 were injured.
Jock Stein, then the manager at Celtic, found out about the tragedy at the final whistle. For security reasons, he loaded his players onto the team coach, then took the club medical staff back into the stadium to offer assistance.
4. Celtic 1, Rangers 0 – May 10, 1980
Celtic won this encounter to take home the Scottish Cup, but the match is best remembered for the riot that occurred in its aftermath.
Amazingly, there were reportedly only 12 police officers at Hampden Park that day. Not surprisingly, they were unable to the calm the crowds. This match resulted in the banning of alcohol sales at Scottish football matches.
5. Rangers 3, Celtic 0 – May 2, 1999
This match marked the first time Rangers ever clinched the league title at Celtic Park. The occasion was, of course, marred by referee Hugh Dallas being struck by a projectile thrown from the stands and three supporters being arrested for invading the pitch.
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6. Rangers 3, Celtic 2 – April 29, 2013
The date is not a misprint. No, this was not a first-team match. Yes, Old Firm rivals clashed in the stands even during the U17 Glasgow Cup Final between the two clubs, with significant damage done to Firhill Park, home of Partick Thistle.
Violence during a youth match. Now THAT’s a rivalry!
