The once lethal rivalry between Rangers and Celtic football clubs will be recalled tomorrow at a cup tie in Glasgow. But with the success of new laws against sectarian behaviour, how seriously should we take the apparent tribalism between fans today?
One of the highlights of the Scottish football season will take place tomorrow when Glasgow’s rival teams, Rangers and Celtic, meet in the semi-final of the Scottish Cup. In years gone by, the encounter between the arch-rivals – known collectively as the “Old Firm” – would have been routine, if eventful, and sometimes even violent. But since 2012 the Light Blues and the Hoops have played in different league divisions after Rangers Football Club plc went into liquidation. Its newly constituted successor was only readmitted to the Scottish Football League at the lowest tier.
Since then, the team has climbed its way back, and despite two weeks to go until the end of the season, Rangers is already promoted into the Scottish Premiership. The match a week tomorrow will be a reminder to fans that normality has returned.