World famous, ferocious and historic: there are few sporting occasions which match the Old Firm derby.
The rivalry between Celtic and Rangers is arguably one of the biggest in world football.
Granted, it was stopped in its tracks by Rangers’ demotion in 2012, and it may not have the talent to match the days of old, when the likes Brian Laudrup, Paul Gascoigne and Henrik Larsson were around.
Steven Gerrard’s appointment as Rangers boss and their return to the Scottish Premiership has upped the ante again, as far as football is concerned, but this is so much more than a simple sporting rivalry.
Grounded in religion and politics, the bitterness between Celtic and Rangers has shaped the very cultural fabric of Scotland.
While Celtic traditionally stands for Catholicism and socialism, Rangers have always represented Protestantism and conservatism, resulting in fierce sectarian violence between the two clubs.
Jim Bett, the former Rangers midfielder, actually declined the chance to return to Ibrox later in his career specifically because of the sectarianism associated with life as a footballer in Glasgow.
Those values have dwindled over the years, and thankfully, serious incidents are less common than they used to be.
Plus, ticket allocations for visiting fans have been reduced from 8,000 to less than 1,000 due to a dispute between the two clubs.
But there can be no doubt a genuine hatred exits between Celtic and Rangers, creating a white hot atmosphere on derby day which is unmatched the world over.
Coupled with two fantastic stadiums and the most passionate fans around, the Old Firm derby can rival any fixture for noise.
Here, we take a look at what it’s like to play in an Old Firm derby, according to those who experienced it first hand.
Legendary former Celtic striker Henrik Larsson played in his fair share of big matches, including El Clasico during his time at Barcelona.
But Larsson insists the Old Firm derby is the biggest fixture in world football.
“Nothing compares to Celtic playing Rangers — absolutely nothing.
“You can talk about Barca against their old rivals from Madrid, but, believe me, it’s not even close. I’ve played in two of those matches, so I know what I am talking about.
“There is nothing bigger than the Glasgow derby.”
Back in the day, Rangers refused to knowingly sign Catholics or former Celtic players.
As player-manager of the Gers, Graeme Souness brought former Hoops forward Mo Johnston to the club in 1989 to basically end the practice.
The Scotsman is no stranger to a heated atmosphere, having played for both Liverpool and Galatasaray.
However, according to him, nothing compares to the Old Firm derby.
“It isn’t just another game. It’s the biggest derby I’ve ever been involved in.
“Everton vs Liverpool, the Galatasaray one was a big game, but it still doesn’t come near this.”
Passion for football in Amsterdam is incredible, but still not quite on the same level as Glasgow, according to Ronald De Boer.
Having played in De Klassieker, the derby between Ajax and Feyenoord, as well as El Clasico during his time with Barcelona, the Dutchman had seen it all when he arrived at Ibrox in 2000.
At least, he thought he had.
“The experience was like, you’ve heard about it and people say you’ve never experienced something like this before and it was true. It was amazing.
“And you see the change in the Scottish players, a button turns: red eyes, they’re like angry wolves. They were in another world and they kicked everything that was green and white, vice versa also.
“I’d never seen so much kicking in my life in a football game. And the referee was like, ‘it’s okay’. Normally in Holland, it would be a red card or at least yellow.
“The intensity – an unbelievable privilege to stand on the pitch. It’s part of life as a Glaswegian.”
Rangers legend Brian Laudrup, who featured in the Milan derby and the Fiorentina-Juventus rivalry in Italy, admits he was ‘terrified’ by the Old Firm derby.
“As soon as you join one of these clubs, from the very first minutes you are told about this game,” he admitted
“To play in one was terrifying. It was a bit scary but on the other hand it’s tremendous to be involved in one of the world’s biggest derbies.”
