On 2 January 2023, the Green and Blue teams from Glasgow, Scotland will meet in the 432 Old Firm derby, providing a preview of the year in Scottish football.
Old Firm, as it is known in Scotland, is the term used to describe the Glasgow derby. Although Edinburgh is the capital, Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland. As a result, it is home to the two biggest teams in Scotland, Celtic and Rangers.
The Old Firm’s dominance of Scottish football is unique. The last time a team other than Celtic or Rangers won the Scottish top flight was in 1985. The team was Aberdeen, managed by none other than Alex Ferguson.
This season has been no different. Celtic and Rangers have dominated the other 10 teams in the league. The Rangers currently have a 17-point lead over the team below them. However, they are still in second place behind Celtic, who sit 9 points further on.
Following the midweek round of games, it looks increasingly unlikely that Celtic will stumble on their way to a second successive title and 53rd overall. Of 19 games played, Celtic won 18, drew 0 and lost 1.
With the second Old Firm derby this weekend, live on CBS Sports Network, on paper it doesn’t look like there’s much to play for. While Celtic’s advantage is probably insurmountable, there is more to play for than bragging rights.
The Old Firm preview shows the importance of the turn of the year
After a humiliating exit from the UEFA Champions League, Rangers sacked head coach Giovanni van Bronckhorst. New head coach Michael Beale has made a positive impact so far, leading Rangers to 4 wins from 4 games, since Scottish Premiership action resumed.
The Old Firm match will be Beale’s first real test. Celtic demolished Rangers 4-0 in the last meeting of September. The outcome of this game won’t have much of an impact on the title, but it will be an indicator of whether things have improved under the new Rangers manager.
After dismal performances, both Celtic and Rangers are out of European competition this season. However, both teams continue to compete in two domestic cup competitions, the Scottish Cup and the Scottish League Cup.
These competitions represent an opportunity for Michael Beale to win his first silver medal as Rangers boss. A victory this Sunday will indicate if the Rangers have improved enough to challenge for the silver medal.
In four consecutive seasons between 2016 and 2020, Celtic achieved the domestic treble by winning the Premiership, the Scottish Cup and the Scottish League Cup. Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou will want to cement his legacy as one of Celtic’s greatest managers by joining Jock Stein, Martin O’Neill and Brendan Rodgers, who all managed this difficult feat.
the measure of success
Rangers and Celtic will want to end the season with trophies. The fans demand it. Finishing the season without at least one trophy will be seen as a failure.
For Rangers to end the season empty-handed, plus the horror of exiting the Champions League, would be an abject failure. For Celtic to end the season with only the Premiership title to prove it would be a disappointment.
The expectations in Scottish football are through the roof for these two teams. If glory and trophies aren’t within reach, beating the other team up always seems to satisfy the fans, at least for a while.
PHOTO: IMAGO/PA Images
