Glasgow Derby: A tale of two cities

Bill Shankly was once quoted as saying, “Some people believe football is a matter of life and death, I am very disappointed with that attitude. I can assure you it is much much more important than that”. Nowhere is this quote more apt than to describe the Old Firm Derby. Scottish football’s biggest and most bitter rivalry, it occurs between two of the most successful clubs in Scotland: Glasgow Celtic and Glasgow Rangers. On derby day, the city of Glasgow resembles a war zone. The city itself is literally shut down and the police are out in large numbers trying to prevent any violent incidents that usually takes place on the day. The roots of the bitterness lie not in the on field action itself but rather in many off-field issues.

Not a lot of people outside Scotland know the real reason behind the hatred between the two clubs. Essentially, the derby is plagued by sectarian issues. These political issues ironically have its origins not in Scotland but in nearby Ireland. While Celtic fans are considered to be Irish Scots, the Rangers fans are traditionally Ulster Scots. In addition to this, Celtic are considered to be a Catholic club having been founded by a Catholic priest while Rangers are a strong Protestant club. It is also noted that while Rangers fans are Loyalists in that they support Northern Ireland (and its integration into the UK), the Celtic fans are Republicans who lean more towards the Republic of Ireland. Right from the outset, it can be observed that this is a volatile mix, a ticking time bomb that could explode at any time without warning.

As a result of all these political overtures to the Old Firm Derby, what then transpires on match day descends into chaos with brutal attacks by both sets of fans, rioting on the streets and even deaths. In 1980, following a Celtic victory over Rangers in the Scottish cup final, there was a massive pitch invasion, often described as one of the worst in the history of football. Both sets of fans charged at each other with chaos and anarchy being the order of the day. This incident eventually led to the banning of alcohol at football grounds in Scotland. The chanting that is heard on the terraces of Ibrox and Parkhead too are nothing short of vile and have no bearing on the present day scenario. Derogatory chants about the IRA, Northen Ireland and the Irish famine have been heard at the grounds. This has led to a coining of a term by authorities to describe both sets of fans: “90 minute bigot”. Essentially, it could be defined as the phenomena in which fans during football matches turn into bigots and after that time go back to their normal selves.

The Scottish parliament has tried to ban certain chants at grounds but in vain. The fans feel that it builds an atmosphere. One can sympathise with the fans though as Scottish football isn’t exactly the most exciting to watch and the product isn’t very great and it needs that extra spark of controversy to spice things up.

Confrontations between the managers of the two clubs aren’t an uncommon sight either. After a particularly heated Scottish cup match in 2011, Neil Lennon(manager of Celtic) clashed with Ally McCoist(manager of Rangers). Words were exchanged and a physical altercation was just about prevented by the coaching staff.

Ironically, it has also been observed that not many Scottish flags are on display at the derby, rather the Union Jack and the Irish tricolor are on proud display. Just goes to show how much the events of the past in Northern Ireland still have a bearing on this fixture. A documentary by Vice chronicles the sectarian element of the derby by interviewing both sets of fans and many of the football hooligans who form the firms of each clubs. The blood curling tales of the bust ups between the two firms is quite chilling. It is quite amazing to see how Celtic and Rangers fans refuse to be friends outside off the pitch and merely acknowledge each other as ‘acquaintances’. It just goes to show the passion that the derby incites. For a neutral though this derby is mouthwatering to watch. The passion on display is a football connoisseur’s delight and really defines what the beautiful game is all about.

The religious implications have led to quite widespread repercussions between the two clubs. Rangers were a traditionally Protestant club and refused to sign any Catholic players. Astonishingly, this policy stood for 118 years – an unheard phenomenon in football circles around the world. On the other hand, Celtic had no such restrictions on their transfer policy and happily signed both Catholic and Protestant players and under the able guidance of manager Jock Stein won the European Cup and nine league titles in a row leaving Rangers struggling.

It was only in 1989, when Souness was the manager of Rangers, that they decided to dump this policy of no Catholic signings and signed Mo Johnston, who was not only a Catholic but also an ex-Celtic player. A very bold move at the time, it took many by surprise and Rangers fans initially were very hostile towards Johnston. A dangerous, and yet, brave move by the visionary Souness, it ultimately paid off when Rangers won the league and would go on to win nine titles in a row winning, matching Celtic’s record. This helped in breaking the policy that had blighted Rangers for too long, and since then, several Catholic players have been signed by the club. It must be noted that while Rangers did sign catholic players before 1989, they were not high profile ones like Mo Johnston and their religious backgrounds had been kept a secret.

Recently though, with Rangers having been demoted to the third division following financial irregularities the Old Firm derby has been declared dead. Following the announcement, the reactions in Glasgow could not have been more different. While the blue half of the city mourned the demotion like death, the green half celebrated it like it was St Patrick’s Day. It’s a shame really as Scottish football needs the Old Firm Derby more than one can imagine. Without it, what was a two horse race before for the title, has essentially been turned into a cakewalk for Celtic as they have dominated the league, a clear 16 points ahead of their nearest rivals Motherwell.

As much as Celtic fans celebrated the ‘death’ of Rangers, they have lost sight of the fact that Celtic themselves have lost the competitive edge they had due to the presence of Rangers. This was in clear evidence when Juventus outclassed them in the Champions League knockout stage.

For critics who proclaim that the Old Firm isn’t relevant anymore, one need only look at the events of the U-17 Old Firm Derby that took place recently. Six thousand fans turned up for the game that was marred by pitch invasions, ripped up seats and flares being thrown. The level of excitement and passion on display just for a junior Old Derby game just goes to show how much the fans miss the game.

As much as this derby is known for its off the field problems more than on field ones, the football on display is very exciting. Both teams know how much is at stake when the two clubs meet and give it their all to make the fans happy. Bragging rights in the Old Firm derby is the be all and end all for the fans even if it means not winning the league.

The Old firm derby may not be as famous or well known as say the El Clasico or Liverpool vs Manchester United fixtures, but its significance must not be undermined in the football world. One hopes that Rangers ultimately do get promoted back to the premier division of Scottish football and that the football connoisseurs then get to enjoy one of the most passionate derby games the world has ever witnessed.