Most memorable/infamous Moments is the Celtic-Rangers rivalry

By: Matt | March 25th, 2008

Bawwy
Behind the politics, religious undertones, and fan stupidity at times, the Celtic-Rangers rivalry has seen some pretty good football at times and some very interesting moments, to say the least. It is hard to narrow them down to five, but I will try to do it. Obviously I will have a bias, but because of the magnitude of the rivalry, not only are these moments legendary in Scottish football, but in football around the world. Some of these moments are from before our time and some are more recent. Some are moments of footballing brilliance and some make every Tim laugh as they are moments of getting it right up your sworn enemy. So enjoy and leave what your favorite moments of this legendary rivalry.

1. Hampden in the Sun.-I’m sure that most Celtic fans would agree that when the Bhoys play that mob in blue, they don’t just want to beat them, they want to embarrass them. Well on October 19th 1957, the final of the Scottish League Cup against Rangers, a precedent of sheer beat downs of the Huns was set. This was the type of victory that had songs created in its honor, and just such a song was created called ironically “Hampden in the Sun” which goes like “Oh Hampden in the Sun, Celtic 7 Rangers 1, was the score when time was up, the Timalloys had won the Cup!” Jimmy McGrory and his bhoys in green and white had seen their cross town rivals off with this huge defeat, which is still a record score in major “British” final history, “Old Firm” history, and a record defeat for Rangers

2. August 27th 2000 Celtic 6-Rangers 2-If Hampden in the Sun is the king of all Celtic victories over Rangers, then this would be the crown prince (I think royal metaphors and jokes are ironic when talking about this topic, but I digress). This game is special to me as first I was actually alive for it, and second it was the beginning of my affair with Celtic. This was one of my first Celtic-Rangers games viewed and perhaps I was spoiled by the dominating victory. It was a great time in Celtic history, with players like Chris Sutton, Paul Lambert, Lubo, and Henrik Larsson. You had the sense that this team was capable of coming together and doing great things, such as winning the Scottish Treble, which they did that year. This early season victory over the hated Rangers helped set the tone for a winning season and next to “Hampden in the Sun” is one of the most memorable victories over Rangers. Henrik Larsson showed why he was the “King of Kings” in this game by scoring two goals in perhaps the biggest derby in the world.

3. “Blessing Yourself is not a crime!”-When Artur Boruc first showed up in Glasgow, no one on either side of Glasgow really thought that he would be quite the catalyst of the rivalry. However, King Artur has certainly done a lot to provoke feelings of love for Celtic fans and sheer hatred from Rangers fans. The Celtic Rangers rivalry is one that is unique as religion (whether rightly or wrongly) is firmly (no pun intended) entrenched with the match. This was no more true when Boruc blessed himself, a sign of the Catholic faith, in Ibrox in front of Rangers supporters who, to put mildly, are not fans of the Catholic faith. Needless to say, the Rangers supporters weren’t happy and public enemy #1 in Hun land was Artur Boruc. Surprisingly, the police got involved and charged Boruc with creating a public disturbance. Putting on my political hat, I must say that it is amazing that someone can be persecuted in a developed western country for practice their faith.

4.“While you’re watching the Bill, we’ll be in Seville!”-The run to the UEFA Cup finals of 2003 was a magical one for Celtic and its supporters. Of course, with this success comes the opportunity to rub the Huns face in it. Such an occasion occurred late in the season to a trip to Ibrox right after the UEFA Cup semi-final in 2003. Shouts of “While you’re watching the Bill, we’ll be in Seville” were heard from the Celtic end. Not only that, Celtic brought a little flavor of the Spanish coast as they threw beach balls and flotation devices on the pitch before the start of the game to show their Glasgow rivals just what they will be experiencing in the sun of Spain. While I don’t like to give credit to Rangers supporters and usually their chants are of bigotry and hatred, after the disappointing UEFA Cup final loss to Porto, Rangers fans asked “We were at the Bill, what was the score in Seville?”

5.1980 Scottish Cup Riot -For every tongue in cheek, fun chant or act like Beach ball Sunday, their are sadly violent and stupid acts associated with this rivalry. An example of this is the 1980 Scottish Cup final. Celtic was victorious 1-0, but the reason this game is remembered is not for the play on the pitch, but the fan riots on it afterwards. Celtic fans came onto the pitch to celebrate the victory, but Rangers fans also came on to meet them. There were fights galore and police tried to separate the fans. After this game, alcohol was banned from football in Scotland and is still not allowed.

There it is, my most influential, memorable, and famous moments of this rivalry. Obviously most are more recent because of my young age, but I think it is a fair representation of the rivalry. What are your top moments?