The Old Firm, regarded as one of the best derbies in football, is officially back in 2020. The clubs’ rivalry goes back a century, with countless stories, epic matches, and embarrassing moments. Racism, sectarianism, and hatred are just a few words that come to mind. The rivalry has calmed in the past twenty years, but there still is a rivalry between the two fan groups and at times the players. If you want to learn more about the Old Firm, I highly recommend doing some research, as it truly is great. On the pitch the quality is no El Clasico, but fans get pure blue-collar football, hard-work, and a great atmosphere. Where did Rangers go if this was such a great rivalry? Well since I am not a businessman the simple answer is that they were liquidated in 2012 and dropped down to the Third Tier of Scottish football. However, Rangers, led by the beloved Steven Gerrard (that’s right, you all know him), are back in Premier league and in title contention this season, and it is great. It is so great, that even me, as a Celtic supporter, welcomes the pressure and wants Rangers to keep winning to make the title run more fun. Now the question is why?
You may be reading this and wondering why you should care about Scottish football. Well, before we get into why this season of the Scottish Premier League is amazing, I will acknowledge everything the high money earning, champions league playing, National broadcast teams’ followers think. As my girlfriend’s roommate from Liverpool said, “Scottish football, S@%t football,” and yes, they are not relevant in top European football every year. Yes, they have only two teams that people know. Yes, it is an easy league to win, and the budgets of the other teams are peanuts compared to Celtic and Rangers. I am fully aware of all the criticisms that someone may have towards football north of England. However, take my word for it, this year is the best in many years. The title race is on, and their head to head matches have been very exciting.
Celtic was without Rangers in the Premier League for four years and during those years, though Celtic had title races with other clubs, there was something missing. The main rival of Celtic during those years was Aberdeen FC (for those Man United fans, Sir Alex Ferguson’s team in the late 70’s and 80’s). In the 2014-2015 season, Celtic was down a point to Aberdeen on Jan. 1, 18 matches into the season. Fast forward to the end of February of that season, Celtic were only three points clear of Aberdeen. The following season, Celtic were only six points clear at the end of February. By the end of both seasons, Celtic won the title with relative ease, but why was the feeling different for Celtic fans even though there was a title race those seasons? Aberdeen is not Rangers, and there was a difference without Rangers pushing Celtic for the title.
During the two seasons in 2014-2016, the Press did their best to play up the title race. Aberdeen even beat Celtic a couple of times. Their head to head matches were exciting to watch, and I had that angry fan feeling when your club loses to a close rival. However, in the end, Aberdeen was simply filling a void that Celtic needed, and no matter how much Celtic were pushed by Aberdeen it never felt the same as Rangers. In my opinion the reason was that Celtic and their fans had an arrogance that they were simply better than Aberdeen. So, though on points it was close, and Celtic would lose a head to head match, in the end Celtic fans knew that they would win the title. They were right. Obviously for attention, and making people care about football, the media built up Aberdeen to the best of their ability, while Celtic themselves helped by having uninspiring performances and a mediocre manager, Ronny Delia (new manager at NYCFC). Credit to Aberdeen for 2/3 of those seasons giving Celtic a test and pushing them, but they were not Rangers. Only winning a title would have given Celtic fans a true respect, but instead they were a rebound significant other, who only helped fill the void of the amazing ex.
Rangers were promoted to the top league four years ago, but this year is the first that the two clubs are going blow for blow. Both clubs have clearly separated themselves from the rest of the table with massive win margins, big goal differential, winning in Europa League, and making it to the Scottish League Cup final. Unlike previous seasons with a weaker Rangers club, or Aberdeen trying their hardest, Celtic never had someone truly running the marathon next to them the whole way. The marathon includes the league, cups, and Europe; and in this current season, the one next to you at the lead of the marathon is your century old rival. The other difference is that, liked or not, Rangers are respected. Every match Celtic fans keep an eye on the Rangers match and when Rangers drop points, that win feels that much better. On the other hand, when Celtic drop points, the fans have a legitimate worry, because of that respect for Rangers. Perhaps Celtic fans care about Rangers only because they want to laugh at Rangers when they lose, but at least for some of us, we pay attention because we respect their threat. From a much higher respected opinion, Franklin Foer argues, “the city has kept alive its soccer tribalism, despite the logic of history, because it provides the city with a kind of pornographic pleasure.” Whichever reason you choose to believe, this season every match matters, because it is Rangers. Every time Celtic increases their gap the win tastes even better, and when Celtic loses the gap, it makes that loss so much worse. Isn’t that why we watch football? For the emotion, the pure euphoria you feel when your club gets that late goal? The elation when the final whistle blows and the 90 minutes of hell holding onto a one goal lead ends and you are victorious? Those feelings do not come every match for every fan, but when you are in a title race against your long-time archrival, you get those feelings much more often, and it is wonderful. Celtic fans have reunited with their ex, and they are enjoying it. Wouldn’t that be something if that happened in real life?
I get it readers, any league would love a title race, but it has been nine years for Celtic to truly have one and it feels so good. A lackluster Celtic faced a dominant Rangers in the Scottish League cup final, but Celtic squeaked a win out in a match with a saved penalty and only 10 men. Just before the Winter break, Rangers beat a tasteless Celtic in the league to go 2 points behind with a game in hand. Both Celtic and Rangers have reached the knock-out round of Europa League; Rangers currently in the Round of 16, and Celtic losing in the Round of 32. Anyone who is a competitor like me would love this competition week in and week out. For me the hope of coming out on top as the best club in Scotland this season against the best Rangers squad in years will make that feeling that much better.
If anyone wants to try an Old Firm match, BR Live (same company who show you Champions League) will have their match live stream for $3 on March 15th 7am.
Author: Collin Xavier, Collegiate Soccer player, NCAA tournament 2012 and 2013, certified teacher, volleyball coach, adjunct professor, mediocre Football Manager, but loyal and devout Football fan every day of the year.