The Old Firm - History and Statistics

Rangers and Celtic first met on May 28th, 1888 at Celtic Park, in what was the Parkhead club's first ever match. The home side won 5-2 and the match was watched by around 2000 fans.

The nickname "The Old Firm" originated during the early years of the 20th century when the two clubs began to dominate Scottish football and the term in part referred to the financial benefits associated with their frequent meetings.

Here is the complete head-to-head record of Old Firm games, up to and including the most recent match on the 27th December 2008 :-

League matches :- 290 in total; 113 wins for Rangers, 95 wins for Celtic, 82 draws; Rangers 420 goals, Celtic 382 goals.

Scottish Cup matches :- 46 in total; 16 wins for Rangers, 22 wins for Celtic, 8 draws; Rangers 59 goals, Celtic 70 goals.

Scottish League Cup matches :- 45 in total; 23 wins for Rangers, 20 wins for Celtic, 2 draws; Rangers 65 goals, Celtic 67 goals.

TOTAL :- 381 games; 152 wins for Rangers, 137 wins for Celtic, 92 draws; Rangers 544 goals, Celtic 519 goals.

(For the full list of results, go to http://www.soccerbase.com/head2.sd?team2id=512&team1id=2104)

The largest crowd ever to watch an Old Firm game was 132,870 for the 1969 Scottish Cup Final at Hampden Park. The clubs hold the British attendance record for a league match - 118, 567 for the New Year derby at Ibrox on January 2nd 1939.

The all-time top scorer in Old Firm games is R.C. Hamilton, who scored 35 goals for Rangers against Celtic in various competitions during the late 1890s and early 1900s. In modern times, the goalscoring record is jointly held by Celtic's Jimmy McGrory and Rangers' Ally McCoist, both of whom scored 27 goals against their great rivals.

Alfie Conn is the only player to have won Scottish Cup medals with both Old Firm sides. The midfielder scored for Rangers in the 1973 Scottish Cup Final win over Celtic, and he was in the Celtic team which defeated Rangers in the 1977 Scottish Cup Final.