Often regarded as the biggest rivalry in not only world soccer, but world sport as a whole, Celtic v Rangers (collectively referred to as 'The Old Firm') is an encounter which at times seems more like a full blown war than a 90 minute long sporting fixture. Complex social issues which have dogged Irish and Scottish societies for hundreds of years are the spark which ignites these matches. Rarely is sport doused in the racism, sectarianism, prejudice and violence which engulfs Scottish football stadiums 4 times a year when these two teams go head to head; all too often the passion on the pitch spills onto the streets of Glasgow, Belfast and beyond.
To many, this unmatched complexity is what makes The Old Firm such an engrossing spectacle and has caused the relatively small nation of Scotland to possess one of the most watched soccer matches in the world. Unquestionably, this overblown powder keg fixture is good business. People globally will tune in to witness the events unfold, these individuals may have no interest in Scottish soccer but Celtic v Rangers is quite simply considered a 'must-see'. Indeed at 7am in Manhattan (and across the U.S.A) you can find Celtic and Rangers bars packed to the rafters with supporters eagerly awaiting kick-off. In my experience there are often a number of American citizens unfamiliar with the sport who are just along for the ride.
U.S. based online magazine 'Slate' recently offered the following article in an attempt to explain the situation and history to American readers. Often I am asked by people in the United States what game they should see if there are interested in experiencing soccer; I always advise the Old Firm fixture in order to "throw yourself in at the deep end". If you want to be shocked, entertained and engrossed, it doesn't get any bigger or twisted that this.
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