Never in the history of the Old Firm derby, stretching back to May 1888 and over 400 matches, has the backdrop been as bizarre as this. As Celtic and Rangers prepare to meet at Ibrox on Sunday, there is widespread, collective outrage among supporters of both clubs. Embarrassment came in different forms for each side in Europe this week, but it was embarrassment nonetheless.
Rangers’ 6-0 thrashing by Club Brugge on Wednesday further inflamed opinion against manager Russell Martin, who had little leeway from the start. The disorganised shambles of that defeat – with Rangers lucky to escape with only six goals conceded – has left Martin fighting for his future. He admitted: “The noise is the loudest I have ever had to deal with as a coach or a player.”
Celtic’s scenario is more complex. Brendan Rodgers returned in 2023 with European progress in mind, but after last season’s encouraging Champions League campaign, regression has set in. Key players were sold and replacements not sourced, culminating in a dismal exit to Kairat Almaty without scoring over 210 minutes. Rodgers has made his frustrations clear, though he stressed on Friday that the board “bleeds for the club”.
Rodgers said: “It is not about investment. This club will invest. What we need to look at is the timing of investment.” Yet Celtic, with an estimated £100m in the bank, gambled on the Champions League and lost. Signing players post-exit will only antagonise angry supporters further. Rodgers is not blameless either; his £30m signings last summer have not impacted the starting team enough.
For Rangers, Martin’s survival may depend on the American owners not being swayed by fan pressure. But his defensive principles are lacking, and the signing policy is unconvincing. Victory for either side in the first Old Firm clash would only momentarily douse dissenting voices. Followers of both clubs are right to voice disquiet in the current context.
