On January 2nd, we will witness one of the great clashes of European Football, a match that is much more than just football.
Through a series of articles, we will explore the history of clubs, leagues, matchups, and players whose stories extend beyond the 90 minutes of football that fans enjoy week after week. These various tales will take us through different countries, competitions, and clubs that have made football more than just a sport; we have all heard about the story of Socrates and his connection to social and political themes, or Eric Cantona’s infamous kick at a fan and his subsequent declarations.
This time, we focus on the upcoming clash on January 2nd, 2025, where we will see one of the most characterful, historic, and significant derbies in European leagues. The Rangers (second in the league) will host the leaders of the Scottish Premiership, Glasgow Celtic, at Ibrox Stadium.
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We recently witnessed this rivalry in the League Cup, where Celtic emerged victorious after a penalty shootout, following a thrilling 3-3 draw. Beyond this latest encounter, Celtic, under Brendan Rodgers, is riding a seven-derby unbeaten streak. Energized by players like Kuhn, Maeda, and McGregor, they aim to widen the points gap in the league, pushing their historic rivals further back by more than ten points.
Although not a league where casual fans typically turn their attention, we are used to seeing these two Scottish teams competing at the highest levels in European competitions. Celtic triumphed in the 1966 European Cup Final against Inter and faced Porto in a recent UEFA Final in 2002, where they lost 3-2 after extra time at the Cartuja Stadium in Seville.
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Beyond this specific encounter on the 2nd, the derby between these two titans of European football is much more than just a local match. Arrigo Sacchi once said that football is the most important of the least important things, but in reality, this sport and everything surrounding it relates far more to history, politics, and various other elements than we often perceive.
To understand the connection between football, history, politics, and religion, we delve into one of the most enduring and complex conflicts in British history. It is a conflict between Catholics and Protestants, rooted in the Scottish Reformation of 1560, which severed ties with the Catholic Church. This led to a period of tremendous religious and political upheaval that transformed Scottish society. The Reformation, driven by figures like John Knox, solidified Protestantism in Scotland, establishing Presbyterianism as the dominant form of Christianity in the country.
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This shift triggered a series of tensions with the Catholic population that remained loyal to Roman traditions. As Protestantism gained a foothold, Scottish laws and policies favored Protestants, marginalizing Catholics in various areas of public and private life. The situation escalated during the 17th century, as religious conflict intensified, leading to violent confrontations and persecutions that deeply marked Scotland’s history.
The religious divide affected not only politics and law but also social and cultural relationships. Catholic and Protestant communities lived in separate neighborhoods and developed their own educational and charitable institutions. Rivalries were perpetuated across generations, leaving a legacy of distrust and animosity even after discriminatory laws were abolished in the 19th century.
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In the 20th and 21st centuries, while modern legislation and policies have sought to address inequalities and promote integration, the scars of this past remain visible in Scottish society. Historical tensions continue to affect community and cultural life, reflecting how past conflicts can endure and influence contemporary social dynamics.
And what does this have to do with football? Quite a lot; Scotland experiences this massive derby every year in its national competition between Celtic and Rangers, both Glasgow clubs. Their historic rivalry is deeply embedded in the aforementioned religious, cultural, and social conflicts. This derby, known as the ‘Old Firm,’ arises from the origins of the contenders; Celtic, founded in 1887, maintains strong ties with the Catholic community and Irish immigration, while Rangers was established slightly earlier, in 1872, representing the Protestant community and closely linked to Scottish and British identity.
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Both clubs have experienced periods of dominance, always with derbies charged with tensions and historical grudges. The debts that led Rangers to a reformation in 2012, forcing them to start anew from the fourth division, temporarily halted these confrontations. Despite retaining their crest, colors, and stadium, the former Glasgow Rangers became The Rangers Football Club; however, this did not extinguish the fierce rivalry with their Glasgow neighbor.
On Thursday, we will witness two teams seeking control, but with Rangers showing inconsistent form in recent matches, claiming only one victory in their last five outings. In their latest encounter, they managed a 2-2 draw against Motherwell, thanks to two late goals from Hamza Igamane. These recent performances have created a level of discontent among fans and put manager Philippe Clement in a somewhat precarious position.
On the other hand, Celtic, managed by Northern Irish coach Brendan Rodgers, is coming off a positive streak, having achieved consecutive 4-0 victories over Motherwell and St Johnstone. They boast remarkable defensive solidity, conceding only four goals in 18 matches while netting 52.
In summary, we will see a Rangers side looking for revenge and to close the gap in the league, while Celtic will aim to deal a potentially knockout blow to their Glasgow neighbors.
