Glasgow, the largest city in Scotland (though not its capital) is known for being football crazy. This vibrant football culture is largely driven by two of the best-supported clubs in Scottish and British football: Rangers and Celtic.
These clubs, known collectively as the Old Firm, have a fierce rivalry that dates back over a century. The two are the most successful clubs in Scotland by a significant margin, and the two tend to share the honours in the country.
An Overview of Glasgow's Football Teams
There are 4 professional football teams based in Glasgow: Rangers and Celtics (which together make up the Old Firm). More recent clubs include Patrick Thistle and Queen's Park. All clubs are part of the Scottish professional league system.
There are a lot of clubs around the country, of course, and Edinburgh has more football clubs with rich histories and some big rivalries, but the Glasgow Derby is known all over the world, and rivals anything in world football.
Even the rivalries in London's football clubs and the North West of England are not usually as fierce and may not be as well-attended as these Old Firm games.
Rangers
Rangers Football Club, founded in 1872, is one of the oldest football clubs in Scotland.
⚽️ 55 Scottish League Titles
🏆 34 Scottish Cups
🥇 27 Scottish League Cups
With a record 55 Scottish League titles, 34 Scottish Cups, and 27 Scottish League Cups, Rangers are one of the most successful clubs in the world by many peoples’ metrics.
Their home, Ibrox Stadium, has been a fortress where many memorable matches have taken place. Ibrox is also the name of a suburb of Glasgow, Scotland, South of the river Clyde, and this is where the club is based. More than 50,000 people flock to the stadium to watch their beloved club.
Crucially, Rangers play in blue and white, which is a stark difference to rivals Celtic. A bit like clubs in the North West or other football hubs in the UK, fans are keen to show their colours and who they support.
The club's most notable period came under the management of Bill Struth, who led Rangers to numerous league titles and cups. More recently, Steven Gerrard's tenure saw Rangers reclaim the Scottish Premiership title in the 2020-2021 season, ending Celtic's long dominance.
Glasgow Rangers went into receivership and had to start again in the Scottish 3rd division following a debt crisis. This effectively meant that the team had to start again after a spell of being in the top flight. They lost some hugely important players, and though they retained their massive fanbase, Rangers’ comeback was impressive.
In recent years, Rangers have not only re-established their dominance in Scottish football but also made significant strides in European competitions. They reached the 2022 UEFA Europa League final where they took Eintracht Frankfurt to penalties where they ultimately lost to the German team.
Rangers Women
Rangers Women have been making significant progress since their formation. Initially playing a more modest role in Scottish women's football, they have seen substantial growth in investment and development, paralleling the men's team’s success.
The women's team has been competing in the Scottish Women's Premier League (SWPL), with notable improvements in their performance each season. The club's focus on youth development and professional training facilities has started to yield results, with Rangers Women now regularly challenging for top honours and having senior international players.
The introduction of full-time professional contracts has been a game-changer, allowing the team to attract and retain top talent. This commitment to the women's game reflects a broader trend in Scottish football, where women's teams are gaining increased support and recognition.
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Celtic FC
Celtic Football Club, founded in 1887, has a history that revolves around Scotland’s Irish community, which is absolutely huge.
Scottish League Titles
Their home ground, Celtic Park, often referred to as Parkhead, is known for its electric atmosphere. 60,000 people pack into the stadium for the big games and the stadium is iconic for European nights where it is laden with green and white (the colours of Celtic), though the club does not see as much success as the London or Manchester football clubs.
One of Celtic's most significant achievements came in 1967 when they became the first British club to win the European Cup, under the management of Jock Stein. This legendary team, known as the "Lisbon Lions," remains a source of pride for the club and its supporters and the tales have been passed on through the generations.
It is fair to say that since the turn of the century, Celtic have been the most successful team in the country by a mile.
In the past decade, Celtic has dominated Scottish Premiership football, winning nine consecutive league titles from 2012 to 2020. Under the guidance of managers like Brendan Rodgers and Neil Lennon, Celtic also enjoyed considerable success in domestic cup competitions and made respectable runs in European tournaments.
Making history: the Lisbon Lions is the nickname given to the Celtic team that managed to win the European Cup at the Estádio Nacional in Lisbon, Portugal on 25 May 1967. They were the first British team to win it.
Celtic Women
Celtic Women have been a key player in the development of women's football in Scotland. Celtic Women have enjoyed success in the SWPL, consistently finishing near the top of the table and competing for major honours, winning it once and finishing second four times. The club's commitment to the women's team is evident in their investment in facilities, coaching, and player development.
The women's team has also participated in the UEFA Women's Champions League, gaining valuable experience and exposure on the European stage. This involvement not only boosts the team's profile but also helps raise the standard of women's football in Scotland.
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Glasgow City Women
Glasgow has some parallels with London clubs, and like London clubs, there are teams that compete in the women’s game that don’t compete in the men’s.
Founded in 1998, Glasgow City Women is a dominant team for women in Glasgow, providing competitive opportunities for female footballers. The club quickly grew to dominate the Scottish Women's Premier League (SWPL). Glasgow City Women have secured multiple league titles and Scottish Cups, demonstrating consistent excellence and ambition.
The club's success extends beyond national competitions. Glasgow City Women have regularly competed in the UEFA Women's Champions League, where they've achieved notable success, including reaching the quarter-finals. This international exposure has helped elevate the profile of Scottish women's football.
The club wears orange, and plays home games at Petershill Park.
Off the pitch, Glasgow City does a lot that helps promote women's sports and empowering female stars through various community programs and initiatives. The team has done incredibly well having launched so recently (a lot of football clubs stem from the 1800s).
The Old Firm Rivalry
It is impossible to write a post about this footballing city without discussing rivalries. While some rivalries like the Bristol teams aren’t known to be too fierce, the rivalry between Rangers and Celtic is one of the most intense in world football.
Known as the Old Firm, matches between these two clubs are more than just football games; they are cultural events steeped in history, politics, and religion. The rivalry extends beyond the men's teams, with the women's matches also drawing significant attention and passion from fans.
The Old Firm rivalry reflects deeper social and cultural divisions in Glasgow, particularly between the Protestant and Catholic communities. Unfortunately, there have been incidents at the games, but the sport can also bring people together in the city of Glasgow.
Celtic FC vs Rangers Comparison
| Achievement | Celtic FC | Rangers FC |
|---|---|---|
| Scottish Top-Tier League Titles | 54 | 55 |
| Scottish Cup | 42 | 34 |
| Scottish League Cup | 21 | 28 |
| European Cup/Champions League | 1 | 0 |
| European Cup Winners' Cup | 0 | 1 |
| Total Major Honors | 117 | 118 |
Historical Highlights
- First Meeting: The first official match between the two clubs was in 1888, which Celtic won 5-2.
- Most Memorable Victory: Celtic's 7-1 win over Rangers in the 1957 Scottish League Cup final remains the largest margin of victory in a British domestic cup final.
- Recent Form: Celtic secured the latest Scottish Cup final win in May 2024, defeating Rangers 1-0.
Learn About Football In Glasgow With Superprof
Those best-known clubs, Rangers and Celtic, represent more than just sports teams – they are cultural figures in the city, with rich histories and passionate fanbases.
Their women's teams, now gaining prominence, highlight the growing importance of women's football in Scotland, and Glasgow City is even an independent women’s team that has grown a lot in the recent years.
If you’re looking to learn more about football in Birmingham, Superprof can help. Maybe your wish is to become a professional, or just to boost your performance in local, amateur football. There are a lot of options for Glasgow football fans to learn more about the sport. Get started at a time to suit you today. Start your search for a football coach or tutor right here on Superprof.
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