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Old Firm Derby ready to reignite after four years out of the spotlight
The Old Firm derby's been one of soccer's most intense rivalries since Celtic and Rangers first met in 1888. The game goes far beyond just sport, with the two teams not only representing two sides of Scotland's fierce religious divide between Catholicism and Protestantism, but also Northern Ireland-related politics, national identity and social ideology. The two teams haven't gone head to head in Scotland's top flight since Rangers entered liquidation in 2012, but on Saturday, they're set to renew one of the sporting world's fiercest struggles.
After 401 matches between the two, the rivalry is remarkably even. Rangers have won 159 of the meetings, and Celtic have taken 145, with the teams sharing the spoils 97 times since 1888. The two most successful teams in Scotland, they've won 101 Scottish League Championships between them (54 for Rangers and 47 for Celtic).
The Old Firm derby came to a rude halt in 2012 when Rangers were liquidated due to financial difficulties and relegated to Scotland's fourth tier. Saturday's match marks the first meeting between the two in league play since Rangers were demoted, although the Light Blues do hold the edge, having beaten Celtic in the Scottish Cup semi-finals in April. Fittingly, despite having only played three and four matches each, the two Glasgow sides sit atop the Scottish Premiership, and they both look good for yet another head-to-head title challenge this season.
Former Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers is now Celtic's head man, and he's got Celtic humming so far this season. They've won three out of three in the league, scoring 10 goals, conceding just four, and they're sitting pretty alone at the top of the Scottish League. Rangers boss Mark Warburton hasn't done so badly himself after signing on at the beginning of last season; so far he's taken the 'Gers to a league and cup double, earning promotion to the Scottish Premiership and winning the Scottish Challenge Cup in his first season.
This is the first Old Firm derby for both managers, and both men have fully embraced the importance of the moment. Rodgers spoke to Celtic TV about the matchup: "It's games that I have watched, games that I have listened to all my life, so to actually be involved in pole position in the game is going to be exciting, especially being the first game at home." Mark Warburton shared his sentiments, telling Rangers' official website: "we have to enjoy it, and if you don't enjoy these games, then our recruitment is wrong in terms of having the wrong type of players coming to the club, and they shouldn't be playing football ... If you can look back in years to come and say you were involved in this sort of game, especially one where there hasn't been a league Old Firm game for a few years now, that's great, and the interest is obvious throughout the UK and globally too."
Rangers visit Celtic Park on Saturday. It should be anything but boring.
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