Crowd at football match between Celtic F.C. and Rangers F.C. at Celtic Park.

The term Old Firm refers to the rivalry between the Scottish football teams Celtic F.C. and Rangers F.C., both based in Glasgow. Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Football (soccer) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia /**/ @import /skins-1. ... Celtic Football Club (pronounced seltik in IPA; AIM: CCP) is a Scottish football club, competing in the Scottish Premier League, the highest form of competition in Scotland. ... Rangers Football Club is a football club from Glasgow, Scotland, which plays in the Scottish Premier League. ... Celtic Park is a football stadium in the Parkhead area of Glasgow in Scotland. ... Motto (Latin) No one provokes me with impunity Cha togar mfhearg gun dioladh (Scottish Gaelic)1 Wha daur meddle wi me?(Scots)1 Anthem (Multiple unofficial anthems) Scotlands location in Europe Capital Edinburgh Largest city Glasgow Official languages English, Gaelic, Scots Government Constitutional monarchy  -  Queen Queen Elizabeth II... Football (soccer) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia /**/ @import /skins-1. ... Celtic Football Club (pronounced seltik in IPA; AIM: CCP) is a Scottish football club, competing in the Scottish Premier League, the highest form of competition in Scotland. ... Rangers Football Club is a football club from Glasgow, Scotland, which plays in the Scottish Premier League. ... Glaswegian redirects here. ...

One theory has it that the expression derives from Celtic's first game in 1888, which was played against Rangers. A newspaper report stated that both sets of players "got on so well that you would believe that they were old firm friends." However, William J. Murray states that the term derives from the commercial benefits of the two clubs' rivalry, which were viewed with distaste in some quarters in the early days of the game.^[1]

The two clubs are easily the most successful in Scotland, having won between them 63 Scottish Cups and 93 Scottish Premier League championships (as of 2007). Interruptions to their ascendancy have occurred infrequently, most recently with the challenge of the New Firm of Aberdeen and Dundee United in the first half of the 1980s. Starting with the 1995-96 season, the Old Firm clubs finished in the top two places in every season until 2005-06, when Hearts finished second behind Celtic. As of May 5, 2007, Rangers and Celtic had played each other 375 times, with Rangers winning 149 matches, Celtic 134 matches and 92 draws.^[2] The two clubs normally compete four times a year in the SPL and are regularly drawn against each other in the two Scottish cup competitions. The Scottish Cup The Scottish Football Association Challenge Cup, also known as The Scottish Cup, is the national cup knockout competition in Scottish football. ... The Scottish Premier League (SPL) is the top division within the current structure of football in Scotland. ... 2007 is a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar. ... New Firm is the term used to describe the rivalry between Scottish football clubs heaarts]] and hibs]]. The name originates from the 1980s when Hearts and Hibs both had high levels of success in Scottish football at the expense of Scotlands more established clubs Rangers and Celtic, who are... Aberdeen Football Club is a football team from Scotland, who compete in the Scottish Premier League. ... Dundee United Football Club is a Scottish professional football club located in the city of Dundee. ... The introduction to this article provides insufficient context for those unfamiliar with the subject matter. ... Competitive football has been played in Scotland since 1890 The 2005-06 season was the 109th season of competitive football in Scotland. ... Heart of Midlothian F.C. (most commonly referred to as Hearts) is a professional football club from Edinburgh, Scotland which plays in the Scottish Premier League. ... May 5 is the 125th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (126th in leap years). ... 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the CE era. ... The Scottish Premier League (SPL) is the top division within the current structure of football in Scotland. ...

The clubs' large supports, which are far greater than those of other Scottish clubs, means that the Scottish Premier League - which has always been dominated by the Old Firm - has become less competitive. Even in cities such as Edinburgh and Dundee, there is a large Old Firm fan base, in addition to support for the cities' own clubs. The other clubs in Scottish football have traditionally had far fewer football successes (except for spells in the 1890s, 1950s and 1980s), supporters, and money than the Old Firm teams. This has led to some acrimony between these teams and the Old Firm, which is amplified by widespread disgust towards the religious bigotry some associate with these two clubs, and by a general feeling that the primary national loyalties of Rangers and Celtic fans lie not with Scotland, but with the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland respectively. However, it has been said that the presence of Rangers and Celtic is worth £120 million to the Scottish economy, and that if the two clubs left the Scottish Premier League, the other teams would lose out.^[3] Football (soccer) is the most popular sport in Scotland and is the countrys national sport. ...

The result of the combination of the two clubs' dominance of Scottish football, and their significance in social, cultural and political terms, is that both Celtic and Rangers are prominent institutions in Scottish life, to a degree beyond what would be expected for large football clubs elsewhere in the United Kingdom.

Rivalry

Main article: Sectarianism in Glasgow

The competition between the two clubs has its roots in more than just a simple sporting rivalry. It is infused with a series of complex disputes, sometimes centred on religion (Catholic and Protestant) and Northern Ireland politics (Loyalist and Republican). The result has been an enduring enmity between fans that has extended beyond the kind of intra-city footballing rivalry that might be expected in situations where two clubs dominate a country's footballing scene. This has been manifested in a history laden with sectarian violence, sometimes leading to deaths. Sectarianism in Glasgow takes the form of religious and political sectarian rivalry between Roman Catholics and Protestants. ... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... Northern Ireland is a part of the United Kingdom lying in the northeast of the island of Ireland, covering 5,459 square miles (14,139 km², about a sixth of the islands total area). ... This article does not cite its references or sources. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Sectarian violence or sectarian strife is violence inspired by sectarianism, that is, between different sects of one particular mode of thought, not necessarily religious (e. ...

Increasingly in recent years, both clubs have frequently participated in initiatives and campaigns along with religious organisations and the Scottish Executive directed at removing the sectarian undercurrent, including supporting pressure group Nil by Mouth. However, disagreements about what constitutes sectarian behaviour have undermined progress in these matters, and consensus over what types of songs and flags are acceptable remains difficult to achieve. The Executives logo, shown with English and Scottish Gaelic caption The term Scottish Executive is used in two different, but closely-related senses: to denote the executive arm of Scotlands national legislature (i. ... Nil by Mouth is an anti-sectarian charity based in Glasgow, Scotland. ...

The ferocity of the rivalry has made it rare for a player to represent both teams during his career. Players who have played for both sides of the Old Firm include Alfie Conn, Jr., Maurice Johnston, Kenny Miller, Steven Pressley and Mark Brown. Rangers' signing of Johnston caused particular controversy because, although by no means the first Catholic to play for Rangers^{[4] [5]}, he was by far the highest-profile openly Catholic player to do so since World War I.^[6] Alfred James Conn (born 5 April 1952, in Kirkcaldy) was a professional footballer, who was the first post-war player to play for both Celtic and Rangers. ... Maurice Mo Johnston (born April 30, 1963 in Glasgow) is a Scottish soccer forward, who made his name with Celtic before becoming the first Catholic player since World War II to play in the first team with Rangers. ... Kenneth Kenny Miller (born 23 December 1979 in Edinburgh) is a professional footballer currently playing for Celtic and the Scottish national team. ... Steven John Pressley (born October 11, 1973 in Elgin, Moray) is a Scottish international footballer, currently playing for Scottish Premier League club Celtic. ... Mark Brown (born 28 February 1981 in Motherwell) is a professional footballer currently playing for Scottish Premier League side Celtic F.C.. // Brown, a goalkeeper, previously played for Rangers, where he made five first team appearances as a young player, before moving on to Motherwell. ... “The Great War ” redirects here. ...

Possibility of Old Firm joining English Premier League

Both Celtic and Rangers have expressed a desire to leave the Scottish league system and become part of the English Premier League. Both clubs currently receive less in television revenue than many English clubs with significantly smaller fan bases. A move to the Premiership would give both Old Firm clubs a significant financial boost. This, however, is not the wish of most clubs in the Premiership: the smaller clubs fear their displacement and consequent loss of revenue; the larger clubs fear a reduced potential for qualification for European competitions. Some clubs in the Football League Championship have also argued against this move on the grounds that it would reduce their chances of promotion to the Premiership. Motto (French) God and my right Anthem God Save the King (Queen) England() – on the European continent() – in the United Kingdom() Capital (and largest city) London (de facto) Official languages English (de facto) Government Constitutional monarchy  -  Queen Queen Elizabeth II  -  Prime Minister Tony Blair MP Unification  -  by Athelstan 967  Area... The original FA Premier League logo, in use until the name was changed in 2007 The Premier League (officially known as the Barclays Premier League for sponsorship reasons, previously known as The Premiership), is a professional league competition for football clubs located at the top echelon of the English football... The Football League Championship (often referred to as The Championship for short, the Coca-Cola Football League Championship for sponsorship reasons) is the highest division of The Football League and second-highest division overall in the English football league system after the Premier League. ...

Regardless of the level of support from English clubs, a remaining stumbling block is that both national football associations, (the Scottish Football Association & The Football Association), and Europe's governing body (UEFA), have to agree to the switch. In this light, it is unlikely that either Rangers or Celtic will be playing in the Premiership in the foreseeable future. The Scottish Football Association (SFA) is the governing body for the sport of football in Scotland. ... The Football Association (The FA) is the governing body of football in England and the Crown dependencies of Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man. ... The Union of European Football Associations, almost always referred to by the acronym UEFA (pronounced (you-AY-fuh) or (oo-Ay-fuh) or ), is the administrative and controlling body for European football. ...

Footnotes

For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... September 5 is the 248th day of the year (249th in leap years). ... BBC News Online logo The BBC News Website in February 2006. ... 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... June 29 is the 180th day of the year (181st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar, with 185 days remaining. ... 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... June 29 is the 180th day of the year (181st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar, with 185 days remaining. ...

Further reading

• Bradley, Joseph M. (2002). "The Patriot Game: Football's Famous `Tartan Army'". International Review for the Sociology of Sport 37 (2): 177-197. DOI:10.1177/1012690202037002004. Retrieved on 2006-11-20. 
• Burdsey, Daniel; Chappell, Robert (2001). "‘And If You Know Your History ‘. An Examination of the Formation of Football Clubs in Scotland and their Role in the Construction of Social Identity" (PDF). The Sports Historian 21 (1): 94-106. Retrieved on 2006-11-20. 
• McMenemy, David; Poulter, Alan (May, 2005). "An Identity of Two Halves? Glasgow Celtic Supporters, Identity, and Scottish Society". Irish Studies Review 13 (2): 139-150. DOI:10.1080/09670880500060749. Retrieved on 2006-11-20. 
• Murray, William J. (1984). The Old Firm: sectarianism, sport, and society in Scotland. Edinburgh: J. Donald Publishers; Atlantic Highlands, N.J.. ISBN 0-85976-121-5. 
• Murray, William J. (1988). Glasgow's giants: 100 years of the Old Firm. Edinburgh: Mainstream. ISBN 1-85158-111-1. 
• Murray, William J. (1998). The Old Firm in the new age: Celtic and Rangers since the Souness revolution. Edinburgh: Mainstream. ISBN 1-85158-984-8. 
• Murray, William J. (2003). Bhoys, bears and bigotry: the Old Firm in the new age. Edinburgh: Mainstream. ISBN 1-84018-810-3. 

For album titles with the same name, see 2002 (album). ... A digital object identifier (or DOI) is a standard for persistently identifying a piece of intellectual property on a digital network and associating it with related data, the metadata, in a structured extensible way. ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... November 20 is the 324th day of the year (325th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2001 (MMI) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar. ... PDF is an abbreviation with several meanings: Portable Document Format Post-doctoral fellowship Probability density function There also is an electronic design automation company named PDF Solutions. ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... November 20 is the 324th day of the year (325th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... A digital object identifier (or DOI) is a standard for persistently identifying a piece of intellectual property on a digital network and associating it with related data, the metadata, in a structured extensible way. ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... November 20 is the 324th day of the year (325th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... See also: 1983 in literature, other events of 1984, 1985 in literature, list of years in literature. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... It has been suggested that this article be split into multiple articles. ... See also: 1987 in literature, other events of 1988, 1989 in literature, list of years in literature. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... See also: 1997 in literature, other events of 1998, 1999 in literature, list of years in literature. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... See also: 2002 in literature, other events of 2003, 2004 in literature, list of years in literature. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ...

See also

• New Firm (Scotland)
• Major football rivalries
• Local derby
• Sectarianism in Glasgow
• Culture in Glasgow
• Timeline of Glasgow history
• Ethnicity and football
• Football (soccer) culture
• Sport in Scotland

New Firm is the term used to describe the rivalry between Scottish football clubs heaarts]] and hibs]]. The name originates from the 1980s when Hearts and Hibs both had high levels of success in Scottish football at the expense of Scotlands more established clubs Rangers and Celtic, who are... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... In many countries the term local derby, or simply just derby (pronounced dar-bee after the English city) means a sporting fixture between two (generally local) rivals, particularly in Association Football. ... Sectarianism in Glasgow takes the form of religious and political sectarian rivalry between Roman Catholics and Protestants. ... The city of Glasgow, Scotland, has many amenities for a wide range of cultural activities, from curling to opera and from football to art appreciation; it also has a large selection of museums that include those devoted to transport, religion, and modern art. ... This article is intended to show a timeline of the history of Glasgow, Scotland, up to the present day. ... Ethnicity and football is a description of the global acceptance of the sport of Association Football, with players from many different races and countries participating. ... Football culture is a descriptive term of the cultural aspects surrounding the game of association football. ... The Old Course at St Andrews. ...

External links

• The Old Firm, The Scotsman
• "possibility of a religious blessing being treated as a criminal offence", Sunday Herald, 27 August 2006