The Rangers vs Celtic rivalry, known as the Old Firm derby, is one of the fiercest rivalries in World Football. The two clubs, both located in Glasgow, have been the most powerful sides in Scotland since the turn of the 20th century and their fans share an intense hatred for each other. Often on game day, when these two sides meet, hordes of policemen would swarm the city to ensure no violence would take place.There were also parts of the city where one, in their right frame of mind, did not venture into, if they were a supporter of the opposite club. What makes this rivalry so fierce, however, is not just the game of football, it is the identity that comes with it.
Glasgow, where the two teams are located, is considered a sectarian city and the fierce rivalry between Celtic F.C. and Rangers F.C. reinforces this.
Celtic have a historic association with the Irish people and Scots of Irish descent, both of whom are predominantly Roman Catholic. On the other hand, fans of rivals Rangers came from Scottish or Northern Irish Protestant backgrounds and support British Unionism. The cultural identities linked with these clubs can be seen in their flags, colors, and emblems. Celtic fans are often seen waving the Irish tricolor, their team colors are green and white, and the four-leafed clover (symbol of Ireland) occupies the centre of their logo. Rangers fans tend to wave the Union Jack, their team colors are royal blue, white, and red, and their logo features a lion (symbol of Britain). Hence, the Rangers vs Celtic games became much more than a simple football rivalry; it symbolized the tensions in Religion (Protestants vs Catholics), National Identity (British Unionists vs Irish Nationalists), and Politics (Loyalists vs Republicans). With so many complex disputes infused within this rivalry, the football game generated a ferocious passion in the fans and meant so much to the people of Glasgow.
Glasgow, as a result, is a city quite literally divided by it's football. Parts of the city are referred to as 'Rangers' (and hence Protestant and British Unionist) areas or 'Celtic' (and hence Catholic and Irish Republican) areas based on places where their respective fans live, and where they commute on a daily basis. There are parts of town which people will avoid due to their religion or their football affiliation. If you are caught wearing the wrong colors (Celtic - green, Rangers - blue) in the wrong area, you are likely to get attacked, and even stabbed. These are the precautions that people must take on a normal day.
On days where Rangers and Celtic are scheduled to play each other, the whole scene changes. Celtic Park and Ibrox Stadium are absolutely bouncing with excitement and supporters are singing sectarian songs to insult the opposition. Hundreds of police officers are required to keep the peace in an incredibly toxic and hate-fueled environment. Certain roads in the city are blocked to ensure both sets of fans don't ever come in contact with each other. The fans are so difficult to control that the Old Firm derbies are often scheduled at midday, or at the latest early afternoon, to try and prevent alcohol consumption from plaguing the derby and endangering the police and supporters alike.
Religion, Politics, and Nationalistic Identity are already powerful emotional stimulants and when they are infused with an emotional sport like football, they can cause passionate atmospheres that quickly turn into extreme chaos and violence.
In Glasgow, sectarianism, fueled by the Old Firm derby, has reached a stage where it is more of a way of behaving rather than a way of believing. Perhaps someday the songs the supporters sing at an Old Firm game will actually be about football.
- By Sriram Chidambaram
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