Editing Old Firm (section)

==Rivalry and sectarianism==
{{Main|Sectarianism in Glasgow}}
{{see also|Celtic F.C. supporters|Rangers F.C. supporters}}

{{blockquote|"When I was growing up, I went to a [[Catholic school#Scotland|Catholic school]], and there wasn't one Rangers fan in the entire school," said Neil McGarvey, 43, who is involved in the operation of Kerrydale Street, a popular Celtic fan Web site. "It's much more mixed now – my boy goes to a Catholic school, and there are maybe 5 percent Rangers fans now."|''The New York Times'', 2012<ref name="borden20120809" />}}

The competition between the two clubs had roots in more than just a simple sporting rivalry.<ref name="FIFA"/> It has as much to do with Northern Ireland as Scotland and this can be seen in the flags, cultural symbols, and emblems of both clubs.<ref name="Alottodo">{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/2324152/Old-Firm-rivalry-Its-a-lot-to-do-with-football.html|title=Old Firm rivalry? It's a lot to do with football|work=The Telegraph|location=London|first=Roddy|last=Forsyth|date=26 October 2007|access-date=4 November 2017|archive-date=7 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107074023/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/2324152/Old-Firm-rivalry-Its-a-lot-to-do-with-football.html|url-status=live}}</ref> It was infused with a series of complex disputes, sometimes centred on [[religion]] ([[Protestantism|Protestant]] and [[Catholicism|Catholic]]), [[Northern Ireland]]-[[Politics of Northern Ireland|related politics]] ([[Ulster loyalism|Loyalist]] and [[Irish republicanism|Republican]]), national identity (British or Irish Scots), and social ideology ([[Conservatism in the United Kingdom|conservatism]] and [[socialism]]).<ref>Richard Wilson, "Inside the Divide" (Edinburgh: Canongate Books, 2012), p. 87: "What is being asserted is two identities: Rangers and Celtic. There are other boundaries: Protestant and Catholic / Unionist and Republican / Conservative and Socialist...."</ref>

Another primary contributor to the intensity of the rivalry in the west of Scotland was that Rangers supporters are historically native Scots and [[Ulster Scots people|Ulster Scots]],<ref name=define/> and Celtic supporters are historically [[Irish-Scottish people|Irish-Scots]]. Although the confrontation between the two sets of supporters was often labelled as 'Sectarianism', 'Native-Immigrant tension' was an equally accurate catalyst for hostility between the two teams' supports in Scotland. Rangers' traditional support was largely from the Protestant community, and for decades the club had an [[unwritten rule]] whereby they [[Rangers F.C. signing policy|would not knowingly sign a player of the Catholic faith]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.scotzine.com/2012/12/fran-sandaza-interview-opens-up-old-wounds-of-sectarianism/ |title=Fran Sandaza interview opens up old wounds of Sectarianism at Rangers |work=Scotzine |date=2012-12-30 |access-date=2017-06-01 |archive-date=6 June 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170606135822/http://www.scotzine.com/2012/12/fran-sandaza-interview-opens-up-old-wounds-of-sectarianism/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The policy was decried by [[Graeme Souness]] when he became manager, and he brought ex-Celtic forward [[Mo Johnston]] to the club in a very public move away from the practice, which no longer continues.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rangers.co.uk/club/history/club-history/item/507-the-souness-revolution |title=The Souness Revolution |work=rangers.co.uk |publisher=Rangers FC |access-date=2 December 2017 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151005080733/http://www.rangers.co.uk/club/history/club-history/item/507-the-souness-revolution |archive-date=5 October 2015}}</ref><ref name=mojo>{{cite web |author=Ewan Murray |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2009/jul/10/maurice-mo-johnston-rangers-celtic |title=Why Mo Johnston still stirs emotions across Glasgow |work=The Guardian |date=10 July 2009 |access-date=2017-06-01 |archive-date=29 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170829123824/https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2009/jul/10/maurice-mo-johnston-rangers-celtic |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=mojo2>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2009/jul/11/rangers-sign-catholic |title=10 July 1989: Rangers sign a Catholic |first=Bill |last=McMurdo |work=The Guardian |date=11 July 2009 |access-date=4 October 2015 |archive-date=5 October 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151005023306/http://www.theguardian.com/football/2009/jul/11/rangers-sign-catholic |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=AFPdivide/> Celtic's support was largely from those of [[Irish people|Irish]] Roman Catholic backgrounds and while the club practiced no exclusion of Protestants and signed many of them to play for the team, there was a pro-Catholic mindset among some of the employees.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Smith|first1=Andrew|title=Tommy Gemmell: The Celtic full-back who took role to the future|url=http://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/teams/celtic/tommy-gemmell-the-celtic-full-back-who-took-role-to-the-future-1-4381762|access-date=1 June 2017|work=[[The Scotsman]]|date=4 March 2017|archive-date=2 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170402230707/http://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/teams/celtic/tommy-gemmell-the-celtic-full-back-who-took-role-to-the-future-1-4381762|url-status=live}}</ref> One effect is that [[Flag of Scotland|Scottish flag]]s are rarer than might be expected amongst both sets of supporters; Celtic fans are more likely to wave the [[Flag of Ireland|Irish tricolour]] while Rangers fans tend to wave the [[Union Jack]].<ref name=disunited/>

Celtic were founded in 1887<ref name=identity>{{cite web|url=https://www.ft.com/content/cfbddcce-9c12-11e4-a6b6-00144feabdc0|title=Glasgow Rangers: a club in danger of losing its identity|author=John McDermott|work=[[Financial Times]]|date=16 January 2015|access-date=11 September 2018|archive-date=11 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180911114255/https://www.ft.com/content/cfbddcce-9c12-11e4-a6b6-00144feabdc0|url-status=live}}</ref> on the promise that the club would deliver much-needed money and resources to a poverty-stricken Irish Catholic population in East Glasgow (although records indicated little of this income reached those causes)<ref name=define/> and quickly drew large crowds at their matches, becoming a symbol for that section of the local population which were marginalised in other areas of society<ref name=AFPdivide/> and had previously shown little interest in the emerging sport.<ref name=define/><ref name=fallout/> Rangers had been founded 15 years earlier in 1872 and had no particular religious leanings in their early decades, indeed they were described by the press as friends of Celtic in match reports at the turn of the 20th century.<ref name=explained/><ref name=fallout/> In that era Rangers had won three successive championships and expanded their stadium at great expense, only for one of the new wooden stands to [[1902 Ibrox disaster|collapse during a Scotland v England fixture in April 1902]], killing 25 and injuring hundreds of others.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/rangers/8230537/More-than-600-people-were-killed-or-injured-in-the-first-Ibrox-Disaster-in-1902-when-Scotland-played-England.html|title=More than 600 people were killed or injured in the first Ibrox Disaster in 1902 when Scotland played England|author=Ewing Grahame|work=The Daily Telegraph|date=30 December 2010|access-date=11 September 2018|archive-date=8 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180508062518/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/rangers/8230537/More-than-600-people-were-killed-or-injured-in-the-first-Ibrox-Disaster-in-1902-when-Scotland-played-England.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=temple>{{cite book|url=https://footballpink.net/2015/04/30/the-ibrox-disaster-1902-a-national-tragedy/|isbn=9781859838150|title=Temple of Dreams – The Changing face of Ibrox|author=Iain Duff|publisher=DB Publishing|year=2014|via=The Football Pink (30 April 2015)|access-date=11 September 2018|archive-date=11 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180911081852/https://footballpink.net/2015/04/30/the-ibrox-disaster-1902-a-national-tragedy/|url-status=live}}</ref> The disaster forced the club to rebuild Ibrox for a second time and financed this by selling off their best players, with Celtic, in particular, taking advantage of the weakness to win six successive titles between [[1904–05 Scottish Division One|1905]] and [[1909–10 Scottish Division One|1910]] before Rangers returned to their previous strength.<ref name=fallout>{{cite web|url=https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/competitions/premiership/fallout-of-first-ibrox-disaster-1-1380862|title=Fallout of first Ibrox disaster|work=The Scotsman|date=5 January 2003|access-date=11 September 2018|archive-date=11 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180911081718/https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/competitions/premiership/fallout-of-first-ibrox-disaster-1-1380862|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=temple/> The sporting side of the rivalry was now established, with their meetings providing considerable financial benefit as seen in the Scottish Cup finals of [[1903–04 Scottish Cup|1904]] (which appears to be the origin of the 'Old Firm' term)<ref name=classic/><ref name=explained/> and [[1909 Scottish Cup final|1909]] when they drew twice and a further replay was ordered, with supporters of both teams deciding to riot on the assumption the results were being fixed to make more money – amid multiple injuries and considerable damage to Hampden Park, the trophy was withheld.<ref name=joined/><ref name=mcarra/><ref name=explained/><ref name = "two tribes">{{cite news|url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/12714278.When_Two_Tribes_Go_To_War/|title=When Two Tribes Go To War|work=[[The Herald (Glasgow)|The Herald]]|date=16 October 1993|access-date=11 September 2018|first=Russell|last=Galbraith|archive-date=16 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180816113651/http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/12714278.When_Two_Tribes_Go_To_War/|url-status=live}}</ref>

The political aspect of the feud also developed in that period, with perhaps the most significant development occurring in 1912 when Belfast shipbuilders [[Harland and Wolff]] (a company which already had anti-Catholic hiring practices)<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/sectarianism-and-the-shipyard-1.916936|title=Sectarianism and the shipyard|newspaper=[[The Irish Times]]|date=29 November 2008|access-date=11 September 2018|archive-date=18 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181118224912/https://www.irishtimes.com/news/sectarianism-and-the-shipyard-1.916936|url-status=live}}</ref> set up a new yard in Glasgow due to instability in Ireland. Hundreds of [[Ulster Protestant]] workers, many of Scottish descent, also made the move, and they adopted Rangers – the closest large club to the [[Govan]] yard – as their new team.<ref name=AFPdivide>{{cite web|url=https://www.france24.com/en/20180521-religious-divide-heart-bitter-celtic-rangers-rivalry|title=Religious divide at heart of bitter Celtic-Rangers rivalry|publisher=[[France 24]]|agency=[[Agence France-Presse]]|date=21 May 2018|access-date=11 September 2018|archive-date=11 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180911081858/https://www.france24.com/en/20180521-religious-divide-heart-bitter-celtic-rangers-rivalry|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=explained>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2016/04/15/celtic-vs-rangers-the-old-firm-explained/|title=Celtic vs Rangers: The Old Firm explained|author=Roddy Forsyth|work=The Daily Telegraph|date=15 April 2016|access-date=7 September 2018|archive-date=11 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180911081810/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2016/04/15/celtic-vs-rangers-the-old-firm-explained/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=eternal>{{cite web|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/eternal-relationship-scotland-famous-football-rivalry-180327062903209.html|title='An eternal relationship': Scotland's famous football rivalry|quote="Old Firm games are absolutely toxic; they have fantastic atmospheres but are fuelled entirely by hate," Joyce, a Celtic fan, told Al Jazeera. "They are not nice places to be. You don't leave them feeling elated, you leave them feeling relieved."|author=David Child|publisher=[[Al Jazeera Arabic|Al Jazeera]]|date=28 March 2018|access-date=11 September 2018|archive-date=10 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180910205243/https://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/eternal-relationship-scotland-famous-football-rivalry-180327062903209.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Other events such as [[World War I]] and the [[Easter Rising]] contributed to the club being adopted as a symbol of the [[The Establishment|Scottish establishment]] and of British Unionism in the face of Irish Catholic rebellion personified by the success of Celtic<ref name=inside/><ref name=AFPdivide/><ref name=explained/> and from that time on, many across Scotland and Northern Ireland (and the diaspora of those communities in England, North America and elsewhere) became supporters of Rangers or Celtic over and above their local teams according to their own political and religious leanings, including polarised attitudes towards '[[The Troubles]]'.<ref name=eternal/><ref name=identity/>

Nevertheless, this dividing line seems to be blurred in 21st century Glasgow: religious adherence, in general, is falling,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-40467084|title=Religious affiliation in Scotland 'declines sharply'|work=BBC News|date=1 July 2017|access-date=11 September 2018|archive-date=11 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180911083358/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-40467084|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=eternal/> marriages between Protestants and Catholics have never been higher and the old certainties – the Rangers supporter voting [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative]] and the Celtic supporter voting [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour]] — are no longer in evidence.<ref name=inside>{{cite web |title=Inside the Divide: One City, Two Teams… The Old Firm by Richard Wilson –review |url=https://www.theguardian.com/books/2012/jan/08/inside-divide-richard-wilson-review |first=Kevin |last=McKenna |quote=For David Edgar, a Rangers supporter of many years standing, the pre-match tension is never diminished. "Nobody enjoys going to Old Firm games. It's a really strange, queasy sensation. You can't sleep, you try to force some food down, the heart's beating, your hands are shaking, you're twitchy, you're nervous, you're talking through your arse." |work=[[The Observer]] |date=8 January 2012 |access-date=17 November 2012 |archive-date=1 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131001001328/http://www.theguardian.com/books/2012/jan/08/inside-divide-richard-wilson-review |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=disunited>{{cite news |title=Rangers and Celtic: Disunited they stand |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/rangers-and-celtic-disunited-they-stand-2236083.html |first=Richard |last=Wilson |work=[[The Independent]] |date=9 March 2011 |access-date=17 November 2012 |archive-date=10 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131010064738/http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/rangers-and-celtic-disunited-they-stand-2236083.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2005 both Celtic and Rangers joined a project to tackle bigotry and sectarianism in sport,<ref name="BBC 26Aug2006">{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/5289202.stm |title=A rivalry tied up in religion |work=BBC News |date=26 August 2006 |access-date=22 April 2013 |archive-date=28 September 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130928234153/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/5289202.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> but there was little change in the behaviour and subsequent prosecution of the fans.

The majority of Rangers and Celtic supporters do not get involved in sectarianism, but serious incidents do occur with a tendency for the actions of a minority to dominate the headlines.<ref name="BBC 26Aug2006"/><ref name="Alottodo"/> The Old Firm rivalry fuelled many assaults on [[List of sports rivalries|derby]] days, and some deaths in the past have been directly related to the aftermath of Old Firm matches.<ref>{{cite book|last=Foer|first=Franklin|title=How Soccer Explains the World: An Unlikely Theory of Globalization|date=2010|publisher=Harper Perennial|isbn=978-0061978050|pages=36&ndash;37|edition=Reprint}}</ref> An activist group that monitors sectarian activity in Glasgow has reported that on Old Firm weekends, violent attacks increase ninefold over normal levels.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.prweek.com/news/110013/CAMPAIGNS-Public-Awareness---Nil-Mouth-fights-bigots-inScotland/?DCMP=ILC-SEARCH|title=CAMPAIGNS: Public Awareness – Nil by Mouth fights bigots in Scotland|access-date=23 December 2010|publisher=PR Week|first=Stephanie|last=France|date=9 March 2001|archive-date=17 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210417214007/https://www.prweek.com/article/110013/campaigns-public-awareness---nil-mouth-fights-bigots-scotland|url-status=live}}</ref> An increase in domestic abuse can also be attributed to Old Firm fixtures.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/glasgow_and_west/8557504.stm|title=Drop in domestic abuse incidents on Old Firm match days|access-date=23 December 2010|work=BBC News|date=9 March 2010|archive-date=12 July 2012|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120712012915/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/glasgow_and_west/8557504.stm|url-status=live}}</ref>

A [[Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002|freedom of information]] request found that [[Strathclyde Police]] incurred costs of £2.4 million for the seven derbies played during the 2010–11 season, with the clubs only contributing £0.3 million towards that.<ref name = "police cost">{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-14251800|work=BBC News|date=22 July 2011|access-date=23 July 2011|title=Cost of policing Old Firm fixtures was almost £2.4m|first=James|last=Cook|archive-date=22 July 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722171536/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-14251800|url-status=live}}</ref> Other high-profile games involving Rangers and Celtic incurred much lower costs.<ref name = "police cost"/> The reason for the disparity in costs and the contribution made is that Strathclyde Police had to increase its activity elsewhere in Glasgow and beyond, while the clubs were only responsible for costs incurred in the vicinity of their stadium.<ref name = "police cost"/> In a period between April 2016 and December 2017, when nine matches were contested (three each at the club's stadiums and three at Hampden), more than £550,000 was spent by Celtic, Rangers, the SFA and the SPFL on policing inside the stadium alone. Rangers paid more than Celtic despite having a smaller capacity and a plan for the away support at Ibrox which required less of a 'human barricade' of officers to separate the rival supporters than was necessary at Celtic Park.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/rangers-celtic-sfa-reveal-eye-12187534|title=Rangers pay more for policing Old Firm games than Celtic despite having smaller stadium|author=Peter Davidson|work=Daily Record|date=14 March 2018|access-date=7 September 2018|archive-date=7 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180907183242/https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/rangers-celtic-sfa-reveal-eye-12187534|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2015, former Rangers player [[Brian Laudrup]] said that the Old Firm topped all of the rivalries he had played in,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/scotland/34283983 |title=Tom English interviews former Rangers forward Brian Laudrup |work=[[BBC Sport]] |date=17 September 2015 |access-date=14 February 2018 |archive-date=20 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150920234050/http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/scotland/34283983 |url-status=live }}</ref> which included the [[Derby della Madonnina|Milan derby]] and the [[ACF Fiorentina–Juventus FC rivalry|Fiorentina-Juventus]] meetings<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.gazzetta.it/Calcio/SerieA/Squadre/Juventus/Primo_Piano/2009/01/22/juvefiorentina.shtml|title=Quell'antica ruggine tra Juve e Fiorentina|newspaper=[[La Gazzetta dello Sport]]|language=it|date=22 January 2009|access-date=16 September 2017|archive-date=1 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170701041610/http://www.gazzetta.it/Calcio/SerieA/Squadre/Juventus/Primo_Piano/2009/01/22/juvefiorentina.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref> in Italy; ex-Celtic striker [[Henrik Larsson]], who experienced [[El Clásico]] in Spain and [[De Klassieker]] in the Netherlands, has made similar comments.<ref name="FIFA"/> [[Jim Bett]], who had already played in Iceland prior to joining Rangers in the 1980s and thereafter moved to Belgium, stated that he declined an opportunity to return to the Ibrox club due to the sectarianism associated with life as a footballer in the west of Scotland, in contrast to his positive experiences living abroad.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.scotsman.com/sport/old-firm-religious-divide-stopped-jim-bett-from-making-rangers-return-1-1595427/amp|title=Old Firm religious divide stopped Jim Bett from making Rangers return|newspaper=The Scotsman|date=21 April 2011|access-date=7 December 2017|archive-date=7 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171207191942/https://www.scotsman.com/sport/old-firm-religious-divide-stopped-jim-bett-from-making-rangers-return-1-1595427/amp|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Disorder within stadiums===
Hundreds of opposing fans fought an on-pitch battle in the aftermath of Celtic's 1–0 victory in the [[1980 Scottish Cup final]] at [[Hampden Park|Hampden]], fuelled by alcohol and armed with the cans and bottles.<ref name = "blame"/><ref name=explained/><ref>[http://www.thecelticwiki.com/page/1980-05-10%3A+Celtic+1-0+Rangers%2C+Scottish+Cup Riot!] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200127163708/http://www.thecelticwiki.com/page/1980-05-10:+Celtic+1-0+Rangers,+Scottish+Cup |date=27 January 2020 }}, Sunday Mail, 11 May 1980, via The Celtic Wiki</ref> Despite previous instances of similar behaviour – less widespread and more speedily quelled, but still resulting in dozens of arrests – at the end of the [[1965 Scottish League Cup final]],<ref>[http://www.thecelticwiki.com/page/1965-10-23%3A+Celtic+2-1+Rangers%2C+League+Cup Penalties give Celtic cup; lap of honour cut short] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191230023011/http://www.thecelticwiki.com/page/1965-10-23:+Celtic+2-1+Rangers,+League+Cup |date=30 December 2019 }}, The Times, 25 October 1965, via The Celtic Wiki</ref> [[1969 Scottish Cup final]]<ref>[http://www.thecelticwiki.com/page/1969-04-26%3A+Celtic+4-0+Rangers%2C+Scottish+Cup 50 arrests at Hampden] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190509233027/http://www.thecelticwiki.com/page/1969-04-26:+Celtic+4-0+Rangers,+Scottish+Cup |date=9 May 2019 }}, Evening Times, 26 April 1969, via The Celtic Wiki</ref> and [[1977 Scottish Cup final]]<ref>[http://www.thecelticwiki.com/page/1977-05-07%3A+Celtic+1-0+Rangers%2C+Scottish+Cup+Final Bottles fly in Cup Final; 139 fans are arrested] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191228173001/http://www.thecelticwiki.com/page/1977-05-07:+Celtic+1-0+Rangers,+Scottish+Cup+Final |date=28 December 2019 }}, Scottish Sunday Express, 8 May 1977, via The Celtic Wiki</ref> between the same teams at the same venue, a senior police officer on duty at the time estimated the number of his colleagues inside the stadium in 1980 was barely into double figures, with almost all the estimated 400 police outside Hampden dealing with expected disorder issues, and perimeter fencing assumed sufficient to keep the fans off the pitch.<ref name = "blame"/> This remains one of the worst invasions onto a football pitch ever reported, and was instrumental in alcohol being banned from all football grounds in Scotland, a situation which was still in place 40 years on.<ref name=mcarra>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2009/may/18/seven-deadly-sins-rangers-celtic-wrath|title=Firm enemies – Rangers and Celtic, 1909–2009|access-date=28 January 2010|work=[[The Guardian]]|first=Kevin|last=McCarra|date=18 May 2009|archive-date=23 June 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140623223053/http://www.theguardian.com/football/2009/may/18/seven-deadly-sins-rangers-celtic-wrath|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name = "blame">{{cite news|url=https://www.scotsman.com/sport/tom-english-looks-back-at-the-1980-scottish-cup-final-riot-between-rangers-and-celtic-fans-and-asks-who-was-to-blame-1-1367411/amp|title=Tom English looks back at the 1980 Scottish Cup final riot between Rangers and Celtic fans and asks: Who was to blame?|work=[[Scotland on Sunday]]|date=9 May 2010|access-date=2 December 2017|first=Tom|last=English|archive-date=24 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200124210953/https://www.scotsman.com/sport/tom-english-looks-back-at-the-1980-scottish-cup-final-riot-between-rangers-and-celtic-fans-and-asks-who-was-to-blame-1-1367411/amp|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=pelted>{{cite news|url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/rangers-legend-davy-wilson-calls-1864866|title=Rangers legend Davy Wilson recalls day he was pelted with beer bottles as he calls for football booze ban to stay|date=2 May 2013|access-date=2 December 2017|newspaper=[[Daily Record (Scotland)|Daily Record]]|archive-date=20 May 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170520050634/http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/rangers-legend-davy-wilson-calls-1864866|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=moments>{{cite web|url=https://www.sportsjoe.ie/football/gazza-a-riot-and-three-of-the-other-maddest-moments-in-old-firm-history-11388|title=Gazza, a riot and three of the other maddest moments in Old Firm history|website=[[Joe (website)|Joe]]|author=Robert Redmond|date=16 April 2016|access-date=29 October 2018|archive-date=29 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181029152305/https://www.sportsjoe.ie/football/gazza-a-riot-and-three-of-the-other-maddest-moments-in-old-firm-history-11388|url-status=live}}</ref>

In January 1994, Rangers chairman [[David Murray (Scottish businessman)|David Murray]] announced that Celtic fans had been banned from [[Ibrox Stadium|Ibrox]] due to repeated instances of vandalism to the stadium which Celtic refused to take financial responsibility for.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/12700261.Ibrox_ban_on_Celtic_fans/ | title=Ibrox ban on Celtic fans | work=The Herald | date=27 January 1994 | access-date=26 May 2018 | archive-date=26 May 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180526190658/http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/12700261.Ibrox_ban_on_Celtic_fans/ | url-status=live }}</ref> Only one fixture, which ended 1–1, was played before the ban was rescinded<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.scotsman.com/sport/sound-of-silence-celtic-went-to-ibrox-under-strength-and-without-their-fans-but-still-snatched-a-point-1-1352126 | title=Sound of silence: Celtic went to Ibrox under-strength and without their fans but still snatched a point | work=The Scotsman | date=25 April 2009 | access-date=26 May 2018 | archive-date=26 May 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180526191129/https://www.scotsman.com/sport/sound-of-silence-celtic-went-to-ibrox-under-strength-and-without-their-fans-but-still-snatched-a-point-1-1352126 | url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=donnelly/> (the [[Scottish Football League]] passed a resolution preventing clubs from taking that action in future).<ref name = "worse for wear">{{cite news|url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/spl/aberdeen/tense-times-for-treble-chasers-ibrox-men-look-worse-for-wear-1.708341|title=Tense times for treble chasers Ibrox men look worse for wear|work=The Herald|publisher=Herald & Times Group|date=2 May 1994|access-date=18 November 2011|first=Jim|last=Traynor|archive-date=5 April 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120405130646/http://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/spl/aberdeen/tense-times-for-treble-chasers-ibrox-men-look-worse-for-wear-1.708341|url-status=live}}</ref>

There was serious fan disorder during an Old Firm match played on a Sunday evening in May 1999 at [[Celtic Park]], with the usual tensions heightened by the fact that Rangers could [[1998–99 Scottish Premier League|clinch the league title]] with victory (and it became clear that they would do so from the early stages of the match). Several objects were thrown by Celtic fans, one of which struck referee [[Hugh Dallas]] forcing the game to be stopped while he received medical treatment.<ref name = "dallas"/><ref name=disunited/><ref name=moments/> With many of those in attendance having spent a full weekend drinking alcohol prior to the event, at least four Celtic fans invaded the field of play to confront Dallas during the game,<ref name = "dallas">{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sport/football/scottish_premier/334094.stm|title=Rangers make history out of chaos|work=BBC News|date=3 May 1999|access-date=16 August 2010|archive-date=27 March 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120327223319/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/sport/football/scottish_premier/334094.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> and more missiles were thrown at players on the pitch after the game.<ref name = "dallas"/> Since the events of that day, Old Firm league matches have normally been played in the early afternoon and the possibility of an Old Firm title decider has been deliberately avoided.<ref>{{cite news|last=Drysdale|first=Neil|work=STV Sport|date=14 April 2010|access-date=28 November 2010|title=Old Firm derby reduced to a mere sideshow? Only in Scotland|url=http://sport.stv.tv/football/scottish-premier/170072-old-firm-derby-reduced-a-mere-sideshow-only-in-scotland/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100415215102/http://sport.stv.tv/football/scottish-premier/170072-old-firm-derby-reduced-a-mere-sideshow-only-in-scotland/|archive-date=15 April 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Some supporters of both clubs, when interviewed, have conceded that they do not particularly enjoy the intense atmosphere of Old Firm matches.<ref name=eternal/><ref name=inside/>

===Incidents involving players===
Over the hundreds of matches played between the rivals, players and staff have been involved in many incidents beyond the usual bad tackles and red cards commonly associated with derby matches around the world; in the modern age of video footage, such incidents are more frequently observed, reviewed and scrutinised. [[Rangers F.C. 2–2 Celtic F.C. (1987)|In 1987, four players were charged]] by the police with [[breach of the peace]] for their conduct during a match at Ibrox and had to appear at court,<ref name=moments/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/scotland/1120033.stm|title=Old Firm old boys prove popular|work=BBC Sport|date=16 January 2001|access-date=29 October 2018|archive-date=7 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210507140101/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/scotland/1120033.stm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wsc.co.uk/reviews/64-Players/3401-hard-as-nails|title=Review: Hard As Nails|work=[[When Saturday Comes]]|author=Archie MacGregor|date=1 April 2009|access-date=29 October 2018|archive-date=11 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180911191330/http://www.wsc.co.uk/reviews/64-Players/3401-hard-as-nails|url-status=live}}</ref> with two ([[Chris Woods]] and [[Terry Butcher]]) convicted and fined.<ref>{{cite news|last=McCallum|first=Andrew|title=Rangers players to appeal after fines|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=wDhAAAAAIBAJ&pg=3174%2C4089346|access-date=6 April 2015|work=The Glasgow Herald|date=16 April 1988|page=1|archive-date=5 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211205161841/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=wDhAAAAAIBAJ&pg=3174,4089346|url-status=live}}</ref> While warming up on the touchline at Celtic Park in January 1998, Rangers' [[Paul Gascoigne]] was caught on television reacting to verbal abuse from the stands by briefly miming the playing of a flute (representing "[[The Sash]]" and the typical repertoire of songs on an [[Orange walk]], considered an offensive gesture by Celtic's many supporters of an Irish Catholic background).<ref name=moments/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sport/football/44396.stm|title=SFA probes piper Gascoigne|work=[[BBC News]]|date=3 January 1998|access-date=29 October 2018|archive-date=5 March 2003|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030305041529/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sport/football/44396.stm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=antics>{{cite web|url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/entertainment/news/gazza-ira-threatened-me-after-my-flute-band-antics-31295900.html|title=Gazza: IRA threatened me after my flute band antics|work=[[The Belfast Telegraph]]|date=12 June 2015|access-date=29 October 2018|archive-date=29 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181029191636/https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/entertainment/news/gazza-ira-threatened-me-after-my-flute-band-antics-31295900.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Gascoigne, who had pleaded his ignorance of the situation after he made the same gesture in a friendly just after joining Rangers in 1995<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/gascoigne-on-song-but-still-plays-the-fool-1594113.html|title=Gascoigne on song but still plays the fool|work=[[The Independent]]|date=31 July 1995|access-date=29 October 2018|archive-date=29 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181029153810/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/gascoigne-on-song-but-still-plays-the-fool-1594113.html|url-status=live}}</ref> and had been sent off on his last visit to Celtic six weeks earlier,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sport/33102.stm|title=Five-match ban for Gascoigne|work=[[BBC News]]|date=20 November 1997|access-date=29 October 2018|archive-date=5 November 2002|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021105101644/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sport/33102.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> was fined for the provocative act<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sport/football/46264.stm|title=Gascoigne's flute reprimand|work=BBC Sport|date=10 January 1998|access-date=29 October 2018|archive-date=19 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170819002344/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sport/football/46264.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> and left the club later that year. He has stated that he later received threats via telephone calls from persons purporting to be members of the [[Provisional Irish Republican Army|IRA]] over his behaviour.<ref name=antics/>

In 2000, after being sent off during an Old Firm match, Rangers midfielder [[Barry Ferguson]] was involved in a violent brawl with Celtic fans at a hotel later in the same evening;<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/BARRY+WATCH+K.O.%3b+Reconstruction+of+what+really+went+on+at+the+Battle...-a064963416 |title=Barry Watch K.O.; Reconstruction of what really went on at the Battle of Bothwell Bridge |date=3 September 2000 |work=Sunday Mail |first=Charles |last=Lavery |via=The Free Library (Farlex) |access-date=29 October 2018 |archive-date=17 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181017001754/https://www.thefreelibrary.com/BARRY+WATCH+K.O.%3b+Reconstruction+of+what+really+went+on+at+the+Battle...-a064963416 |url-status=live }}</ref> a year later, Ferguson (by now club captain) was sitting in the stand when he appeared to throw ice packs towards the Celtic dugout after Rangers conceded a late goal, however the referee missed the incident and no action was taken.<ref name=action>{{cite web |title=Football: Clubs must take action |url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Football%3a+Clubs+must+take+action.-a078946600 |date=7 October 2001 |work=Sunday Mirror |first=Ray |last=Hepburn |via=The Free Library (Farlex) |access-date=29 October 2018 |archive-date=17 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181017001728/https://www.thefreelibrary.com/Football%3a+Clubs+must+take+action.-a078946600 |url-status=live }}</ref> In that same match, a Celtic supporter was photographed making an 'aeroplane' gesture towards American Rangers player [[Claudio Reyna]] a few weeks after the [[September 11 attacks]].<ref name=action/> A 2004 match at Ibrox which "descended into even more mayhem and madness than usual" led to a police enquiry over the conduct of the players and staff.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2004/nov/22/match.rangers|title=Inquiry into Old Firm mayhem|work=[[The Guardian]]|author=Graham Clark|date=22 November 2004|access-date=29 October 2018|archive-date=29 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181029152223/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2004/nov/22/match.rangers|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_prem/4025379.stm|title=Rangers 2–0 Celtic|work=BBC Sport|date=20 November 2004|access-date=29 October 2018|archive-date=16 January 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060116180716/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_prem/4025379.stm|url-status=live}}</ref>

In February 2006, Celtic goalkeeper [[Artur Boruc]] was cautioned by the police for gestures he made to Rangers supporters during a match at Ibrox; six months later, it was clarified that this was for "Conduct which appears to incite disorder" rather than simply making the [[sign of the cross]] as he entered his area, as some had thought.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/5292656.stm|title=Player caution 'not for blessing'|work=BBC News|date=28 August 2006|access-date=29 October 2018|archive-date=23 March 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120323164254/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/5292656.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> He also blessed himself in the fixture in December of that year, annoying Rangers fans who saw it as a provocative act, although the police stated that no offence had been committed.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.scotsman.com/news/celtic-keeper-makes-rangers-fans-cross-1-734722|title=Celtic keeper makes Rangers fans cross|work=The Scotsman|date=18 December 2006|access-date=29 October 2018|archive-date=29 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181029152102/https://www.scotsman.com/news/celtic-keeper-makes-rangers-fans-cross-1-734722|url-status=live}}</ref> Boruc, who became known as the 'Holy Goalie' for his overt displays of his Catholic faith, escaped personal punishment in 2008 for displaying a t-shirt with the slogan "God bless the Pope" and an image of fellow Pole [[Pope John Paul II]] after an Old Firm win at Parkhead in April 2008, although Celtic faced scrutiny from FIFA as it was an unauthorised garment under their regulations on slogans.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/celtic-keeper-boruc-escapes-sfa-action-over-old-firm-pope-tshirt-7266598.html|title=Celtic keeper Boruc escapes SFA action over Old Firm Pope T-shirt|work=[[London Evening Standard]]|date=29 April 2008|access-date=29 October 2018|archive-date=29 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181029201539/https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/celtic-keeper-boruc-escapes-sfa-action-over-old-firm-pope-tshirt-7266598.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/2298874/Celtic-may-carry-can-for-Boruc-behaviour.html|title=Celtic may carry can for Boruc behaviour|work=The Daily Telegraph|author=Ewing Grahame|date=30 April 2008|access-date=29 October 2018|archive-date=29 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181029191534/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/2298874/Celtic-may-carry-can-for-Boruc-behaviour.html|url-status=live}}</ref> He was fined £500 and warned for (non-religious) gestures made towards Rangers fans in a defeat at the same venue in September of the same year.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2008/sep/09/celtic.rangers|title=Boruc in trouble again over Old Firm 'gesture'|work=The Guardian|date=9 September 2008|access-date=29 October 2018|archive-date=29 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181029152342/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2008/sep/09/celtic.rangers|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2008/sep/09/celtic.rangers|title=Boruc escapes with £500 fine for stirring up Rangers fans|work=The Guardian|author=Ben Rumsby|date=24 October 2008|access-date=29 October 2018|archive-date=29 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181029152342/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2008/sep/09/celtic.rangers|url-status=live}}</ref> Prior to an international match between [[Northern Ireland national football team|Northern Ireland]] and [[Poland national football team|Poland]] in 2009, graffiti of a threatening nature mentioning Boruc appeared on walls in a Rangers-supporting area of Belfast.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/international/death-threat-to-celtic-star-boruc-before-world-cup-game-1655567.html|title=Death threat to Celtic star Boruc before World Cup game|work=The Independent|date=27 March 2009|access-date=29 October 2018|archive-date=29 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181029191703/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/international/death-threat-to-celtic-star-boruc-before-world-cup-game-1655567.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

In March 2011, an angry exchange took place on the touchline at Celtic Park between Celtic manager [[Neil Lennon]] and Rangers assistant coach [[Ally McCoist]], requiring police officers to separate them, at the end of a match in which three players had also been dismissed; again captured on live television footage, the incident resulted in both men being banned from the dugout for misconduct.<ref name=moments/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2011/mar/10/neil-lennon-ally-mccoist-sfa|title=Celtic's Neil Lennon and Ally McCoist of Rangers guilty of misconduct|work=The Guardian|author=Ewan Murray|date=10 March 2011|access-date=29 October 2018|archive-date=29 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181029152356/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2011/mar/10/neil-lennon-ally-mccoist-sfa|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/competitions/scottish-premier/8374330/Neil-Lennon-and-Ally-McCoist-banned-over-touchline-confrontation-during-Celtics-win-over-Rangers.html|title=Neil Lennon and Ally McCoist banned over touchline confrontation during Celtic's win over Rangers|work=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|author=Roddy Forsyth|date=10 March 2011|access-date=29 October 2018|archive-date=29 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181029191556/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/competitions/scottish-premier/8374330/Neil-Lennon-and-Ally-McCoist-banned-over-touchline-confrontation-during-Celtics-win-over-Rangers.html|url-status=live}}</ref> A 'crisis meeting' was convened involving the clubs, the Scottish Government and Strathclyde Police some days later regarding the trend of violence among supporters away from the pitch increasing on Old Firm matchdays and concerns that incidents during the matches was a factor.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/competitions/scottish-premier/8369897/Old-Firm-agree-six-point-plan-to-curb-derby-turmoil.html|title=Old Firm agree six-point plan to curb derby turmoil|work=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|author=Roddy Forsyth|date=8 March 2011|access-date=29 October 2018|archive-date=27 May 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110527235247/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/competitions/scottish-premier/8369897/Old-Firm-agree-six-point-plan-to-curb-derby-turmoil.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The incident occurred during the tense environment of [[2010–11 in Scottish football|a season]] where seven Old Firm matches took place (including a [[2011 Scottish League Cup final|League Cup final]] and a [[2010–11 Scottish Premier League|fight for the title]] eventually won by Rangers by one point).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/scot_prem/9484609.stm|title=Kilmarnock 1 – 5 Rangers|work=BBC Sport|date=15 May 2011|access-date=29 October 2018|archive-date=30 August 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130830213206/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/scot_prem/9484609.stm|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Visitor allocation, crushing incident===
[[File:Janefield Street - geograph.org.uk - 496860.jpg|thumb|left|The tunnel behind the North Stand at [[Celtic Park]], through which supporters were directed from either end of the stadium in the 2018 incident]]
During the 2018 close season, Rangers announced that they would be cutting the ticket allocation for Celtic fans at Ibrox from around 7,000 (the entire Broomloan Stand) to 800, situated in a corner where smaller travelling supports were usually accommodated, following a fan survey backing the proposal as well as an upturn in season ticket sales. In response, Celtic indicated they would do likewise, bringing to an end a long tradition of both clubs offering a generous proportion of their stadium to their rivals.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.scotsman.com/news/rangers-cut-celtic-ticket-allocation-to-800-1-4744615 |title=Rangers cut Celtic ticket allocation to 800 |work=The Scotsman |date=24 May 2018 |access-date=26 May 2018 |archive-date=24 May 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180524231757/https://www.scotsman.com/news/rangers-cut-celtic-ticket-allocation-to-800-1-4744615 |url-status=live }}</ref> The development was criticised by former players as diluting the famous atmosphere of the fixtures,<ref name=donnelly>{{cite web |url=http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/sport/16251770.Former_Celtic_striker_Simon_Donnelly__it_s_not_the_fans_that_make_the_difference_but_the_quality_of_the_players/ |title=Former Celtic striker Simon Donnelly: it's not the fans that make the difference but the quality of the players |work=Evening Times |date=26 May 2018 |access-date=26 May 2018 |archive-date=26 May 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180526191112/http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/sport/16251770.Former_Celtic_striker_Simon_Donnelly__it_s_not_the_fans_that_make_the_difference_but_the_quality_of_the_players/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/rangers-board-put-scottish-football-12598671 | title=Rangers board have put Scottish football back years with farcical Celtic ticket decision – Chris Sutton | work=Daily Record | date=26 May 2018 | access-date=26 May 2018 | archive-date=27 May 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180527023834/https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/rangers-board-put-scottish-football-12598671 | url-status=live }}</ref> although others praised the extra income the change would likely generate.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/rangers-decision-cut-celtics-ticket-12597588 |title=Rangers decision to cut Celtic's ticket allocation was justified as it will generate money for Steven Gerrard – Barry Ferguson |work=Daily Record |date=26 May 2018 |access-date=26 May 2018 |archive-date=27 May 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180527120651/https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/rangers-decision-cut-celtics-ticket-12597588 |url-status=live }}</ref> In the first fixture at Celtic Park under the new arrangements, a combination of a larger home support, the need to retain segregation for the smaller away support and general unfamiliarity with the new arrangements led to an incident of [[Crowd crush|crushing]] in the enclosed walkway behind the North Stand before kick off as supporters were directed to use the route to reach both of the end stands; several people scaled a high perimeter wall and fence to escape, and medical attention was required for five fans. Those involved expressed their anger afterwards regarding the arrangements and policing, with Celtic issuing an official apology.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-45396058 |title=Celtic apologise to fans after crush incident before Old Firm game |work=[[BBC News]] |date=3 September 2018 |access-date=6 September 2018 |archive-date=6 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180906061829/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-45396058 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/celtic-fans-demand-probe-terrifying-13183745 |title=Celtic fans demand probe into terrifying crush before Rangers game to ensure it never happens again |work=Daily Record |date=3 September 2018 |access-date=6 September 2018 |archive-date=6 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180906161745/https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/celtic-fans-demand-probe-terrifying-13183745 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/news/16686313.celtic-park-crush-dad-takes-traumatised-son-15-to-hospital/ |title=Celtic Park 'crush': Dad takes traumatised son, 15, to hospital |work=Evening Times |date=4 September 2018 |access-date=6 September 2018 |archive-date=5 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180905213917/http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/news/16686313.celtic-park-crush-dad-takes-traumatised-son-15-to-hospital/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Towards the end of the 2022–23 season, a dispute between the clubs over ticketing and supporter safety issues led to there being no away fans at all for the last two league fixtures, which was also the case throughout 2023–24<ref>[https://news.stv.tv/sport/celtic-formally-refuse-ibrox-ticket-allocation-for-next-old-firm-derby-with-rangers Celtic formally refuse Ibrox ticket allocation for next Old Firm derby], Andy Coyle, ''STV News, 17 August 2023</ref> and, despite an agreement being reached in March 2024 to end the stalemate and allow a 5% (~2,500) visiting allocation at each stadium,<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/68692167 Old Firm derby: Rangers and Celtic agree away ticket allocations from next season], ''BBC Sport'', 29 March 2024</ref> continued into 2024–25 (the prolongation was blamed by Celtic on the unpredictability of renovations at Ibrox which caused some matches to be played at Hampden and others with reduced capacity, although it was highly likely the work would have been finished by the relevant date of 2 January 2025).<ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/football/article/2024/aug/16/celtic-rodgers-accuses-rangers-over-away-fan-shutout ‘Nothing to do with Celtic’: Rodgers puts blame on Rangers for away fans shutout], ''The Guardian'', 16 August 2024</ref>

===Legislation===
From 1 March 2012, the police were given more powers to act against Sectarian acts at football matches through the new [[Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications (Scotland) Act 2012]]. The law was designed specifically to target the Old Firm rivalry by reducing the religious hatred between the two opposing sides.<ref name=eternal/> The Act created two new offences, one covering behaviour in and around football matches and the other related to posts sent by either electronic or postal methods. People convicted under the act could face up to five years imprisonment, a much higher sentence than was previously in place. It was hoped it would make it much easier to prosecute this misbehaviour, which had proved difficult in the past.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-20205917 |title=New sectarian law hailed a success by Lord Advocate |work=BBC News |date=5 November 2012 |access-date=21 July 2018 |archive-date=28 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181028092939/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-20205917 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In March 2013 a protest by a number of Celtic fans took place to protest against the new laws and the subsequent match bans that a number of fans had received for breaking the Act. The protesters, known as the "[[Green Brigade]]", had marched without police authority and the event was therefore cracked down on by local authorities resulting in thirteen arrests. The protestors claim that the police instigated the trouble that occurred at this march.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-21813699 |title=Arrests made as Green Brigade protest is broken up |work=BBC News |date=16 March 2013 |access-date=21 July 2018 |archive-date=30 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181030122502/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-21813699 |url-status=live }}</ref> Following the march, media coverage reported that the fans were growing further apart from the police than ever before. They claimed that the trust the fans hold with the police to work in cooperation with them is falling dramatically. The march that took place resulted in a number of complaints from both Celtic and Rangers fan groups that they were harassed by the police.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-21849341 |title=Old Firm fans in danger of 'losing trust in police', say MSPs |work=[[BBC News]] |date=19 March 2013 |access-date=21 July 2018 |archive-date=28 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181028093037/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-21849341 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Labour MSP [[James Kelly (Scottish politician)|James Kelly]] introduced the ''Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications (Repeal) (Scotland) Bill'' in June 2017. Kelly had described the 2012 legislation as having "completely failed to tackle sectarianism" and as "illiberal" which "unfairly targets football fans", and was "condemned by legal experts, human rights organisations and equality groups".<ref name=eternal/><ref>{{cite web|title=Official Report – 25 January 2018|url=http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/report.aspx?r=11325&mode=pdf|website=Scottish Parliament|access-date=11 September 2018|archive-date=11 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180911044847/http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/report.aspx?r=11325&mode=pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> Professor Sir [[Tom Devine]] previously spoke of the Football Act as "''the most illiberal and counterproductive act passed by our young Parliament to date''" and a "''stain on the reputation of the Scottish legal system for fair dealing''".<ref>{{cite web|title=Sheriff who called SNP's anti-bigotry law 'mince' steps down from bench after 27 years|url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/sheriff-who-called-snps-anti-8222982|work=Daily Record|date=19 June 2016 |access-date=11 September 2018|archive-date=11 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180911044850/https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/sheriff-who-called-snps-anti-8222982|url-status=live}}</ref> Much was made of when a Sheriff described the law as "mince".<ref>{{cite web|last1=Kelly|first1=James|title=Why the SNP must scrap the act|url=https://scraptheact.com/2018/01/23/agenda-column/|website=ScrapTheAct|access-date=11 September 2018|archive-date=18 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180218090335/https://scraptheact.com/2018/01/23/agenda-column/|url-status=live}}</ref>

After passing through the parliamentary process in early 2018,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-42804642|title=Football Act repeal bid passes first vote|date=25 January 2018|work=BBC News|access-date=11 September 2018|archive-date=6 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181006131117/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-42804642|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=msprepeal>{{cite news|title=MSPs vote to repeal football bigotry law|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-43405134|work=BBC News|date=15 March 2018|access-date=11 September 2018|archive-date=10 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181010063747/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-43405134|url-status=live}}</ref> on 19 April the bill received [[royal assent]], repealing the 2012 Act.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/Bills/105269.aspx|title=Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications (Repeal) (Scotland) Bill|website=parliament.scot|access-date=11 September 2018|archive-date=17 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180917085327/http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/Bills/105269.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Joint sponsorship===
Glasgow-based brewers [[Wellpark Brewery|Tennent's]] were the primary commercial sponsor of both teams for several years;<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_prem/8495426.stm|title=Celtic & Rangers sign sponsorship deal with Tennent's|work=BBC Sport|date=3 February 2010|access-date=16 September 2017|archive-date=22 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211122150404/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/scot_prem/8495426.stm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://sport.stv.tv/football/clubs/celtic/209075-celtic-announce-shirt-sponsorship-deal-with-magners/|title=Celtic and Rangers confirm end of joint sponsorship deals after 14 years|work=STV Sport|date=9 January 2013|access-date=16 September 2017|archive-date=4 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304025516/http://sport.stv.tv/football/clubs/celtic/209075-celtic-announce-shirt-sponsorship-deal-with-magners/|url-status=live}}</ref> any local business that only sponsored one would likely lose half its customers.<ref name="borden20120809">{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/09/sports/soccer/in-scottish-soccer-the-rangers-celtic-rivalry-is-rattled-to-its-core.html |title=Dissolving Scotland's Old Firm |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=9 August 2012 |access-date=19 October 2015 |last=Borden |first=Sam |pages=B18 |archive-date=24 October 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151024232732/http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/09/sports/soccer/in-scottish-soccer-the-rangers-celtic-rivalry-is-rattled-to-its-core.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Previously, glazing company [[CR Smith (company)|CR Smith]] (who later had a deal with Celtic alone),<ref name=share>{{cite news| url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/1999/feb/25/newsstory.sport1| title=Old Firm pair to share sponsor| newspaper=[[The Guardian]]| date=25 February 1999| access-date=16 September 2017| archive-date=16 September 2017| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170916182556/https://www.theguardian.com/football/1999/feb/25/newsstory.sport1| url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=double>{{cite news| url=http://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/competitions/premiership/magners-shirt-cash-for-celtic-ends-old-firm-double-deals-1-2727282| title=Magners shirt cash for Celtic ends Old Firm double deals| newspaper=[[The Scotsman]]| date=9 January 2013| access-date=16 September 2017| archive-date=16 September 2017| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170916225447/http://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/competitions/premiership/magners-shirt-cash-for-celtic-ends-old-firm-double-deals-1-2727282| url-status=live}}</ref> communications firm [[NTL Incorporated|NTL]]<ref>{{ cite news | url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-23732888.html| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150329175146/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-23732888.html| url-status=dead| archive-date=29 March 2015| title=Old Firm are united in £13m shirt deal| work=Times & Herald Group |first=Rob |last=Robertson| date=20 March 1999|access-date=16 September 2017}}</ref> and English brewers [[Carling brewery|Carling]]<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.thegrocer.co.uk/fmcg/carling-to-sponsor-old-firm/82408.article| title=Carling to sponsor Old Firm| publisher=thegrocer.co.uk| date=3 January 2003| access-date=16 September 2017| archive-date=22 March 2019| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190322134454/https://www.thegrocer.co.uk/fmcg/carling-to-sponsor-old-firm/82408.article| url-status=live}}</ref> had also sponsored both clubs.