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Sunday night saw Celtic and Rangers clash in the time-honoured Old Firm match. The football wasn’t pretty, but don’t say that these two sides have mellowed in the last twenty years.
Due to the state of Scottish football, the match was not a classic exhibition. However, the match is a throwback to the days when if you broke someone’s leg, all you would get would be a yellow card.
The two teams were ferocious in tackling and the referee let most of it run allowing the game to flow. This derby is the most passionate of any sport in the world. The two teams and their fans both despise each other.
While the Merseyside derby is considered the “friendly derby” between fans, when the Old Firm clash you’d best stay at home in Glasgow. Fans of both clubs have died just because of their football allegiances.
This hatred stems from religious and historical connections. Celtic’s supporter base stem from Irish immigrants who dreamed of a united, independent Ireland. When the troubles hit Northern Ireland, they became associated with the united Ireland and IRA cause.
Rangers on the other hand were formed by Protestants in 1873 and had a policy of not signing Catholics until the era of Graeme Souness. They were associated with the loyalists (people who favoured remaining with the United Kingdom) in Northern Ireland.
This is shown with Celtic fans bringing Irish flags to matches whereas the Rangers fans bring Union Jack’s and English flags to old firm matches. Also sectarian songs became a nasty part of the old firm with each team’s supporters trying to antagonise the others.
Thankfully, both clubs are trying to eliminate this practice but still the Irish connection looms large over the match.
So when Australian sport fans talk about hating the English cricket team, NSW despising the “Cane Toads” or Port Adelaide if you are a Crows fan; watch an Old Firm match.
I can guarantee you that an Old Firm match makes Australian sporting rivalries seem insignificant.
It is the best derby in the sporting world. There is no middle ground, it is either one or the other.
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