Frank Christian
The origins of the Celtic and Rangers rivalry date back to their first encounter in 1888, a friendly match followed by a dinner where the teams toasted each other’s health. Little did they know the fierce rivalry that would ensue, with Celtic emerging victorious 5-2 in their inaugural game, setting the tone for years to come.
Both clubs were neck and neck in terms of trophies and head-to-head records before the 2023/24 season. Celtic’s triumph in the Scottish Cup final secured another domestic double, leveling the playing field between the Glasgow giants.
Let’s delve into the historical results and trophy hauls of these Scottish football powerhouses.
Historical Results Between Celtic and Rangers
After the 3-3 draw at Ibrox, Rangers and Celtic found themselves on equal footing in competitive matches. Their 335th league encounter marked another milestone, with Celtic sealing the double by defeating Rangers 1-0 in the cup final.
The total number of competitive meetings between these two teams stands at an impressive 440.
| Celtic wins | Rangers wins | Draws |
| 169 | 169 | 103 |
Trophy Count Comparison
Rangers hold a slight edge with 118 major honors compared to Celtic’s 117 trophies.
The debate rages on among fans about the significance and timing of these accolades. Both clubs have enjoyed periods of dominance, providing ample fodder for rival supporters to relish each other’s failures.
Noteworthy streaks include Celtic’s nine consecutive league titles between 2012 and 2020 and Rangers’ response with a championship win the following season.
Celtic boasts a lead of eight Scottish Cup victories over Rangers, while the tables turn in the Scottish League Cup realm. A standout moment was Celtic’s 7-1 thrashing of Rangers in the 1957 final, a record in UK domestic cup finals.
Trophies Won by Celtic and Rangers
| Team name | Scottish top-tier league titles | Scottish Cup | Scottish League Cup | European Cup/Champions League | European Cup Winners’ Cup | Total |
| Celtic | 53 | 42 | 21 | 1 (1967) | 0 | 117 |
| Rangers | 55 | 34 | 28 | 0 | 1 (1972) | 118 |
Origins of the Old Firm Derby Name
Early 20th-century encounters between Celtic and Rangers led to the moniker “Old Firm,” likely inspired by the commercialization and popularity of their fixtures, notably the 1904 Scottish Cup Final.
Another theory suggests that the term stemmed from commentators likening the teams to “old, firm friends” during an initial match.
The Deep-Seated Rivalry
More than just a battle for titles, the Celtic-Rangers rivalry is steeped in historical divides involving religion, identity, and politics, with strong ties to Ireland, especially Northern Ireland.
Supporters of Rangers typically align with Protestantism and Loyalism, while Celtic fans lean towards Catholicism and Republicanism, reflecting broader societal and cultural tensions.
Their clashes on the field are notorious for their intensity, surpassing even the fervor of other historic football rivalries worldwide.
Incidents like pitch invasions and instances of vandalism in the late ’90s underscored the fierce competition and deep-rooted animosity between the two clubs.
