The Old Firm derby is back. Rangers host Celtic at Ibrox Stadium this Sunday in a League Cup quarter-final. A place in the semi-final is at stake. This is the first meeting between the Glasgow rivals this season. The match is expected to be intense, even without away fans present.
Celtic have been dominant so far this season. Martin O'Neill's side have won all six league matches. Rangers, however, had a slow start under new manager Derek McInnes. They lost their first few games and were eliminated from European competition. Still, Rangers have found their form recently, winning four matches in a row.
One unusual aspect of this match is the absence of away supporters. The league banned away fans from all Old Firm games this season. This decision was made after serious crowd trouble during a cup match last March. Fans clashed on the pitch, and several arrests were made. Both clubs now must play certain cup matches behind closed doors as punishment.
The Old Firm rivalry goes far beyond football. It is rooted in deep cultural and religious divisions in Glasgow. Celtic was founded in 1888 by Irish Catholic immigrants. Rangers has traditionally represented the Protestant community. Together, they have won over 170 league titles and cups combined. If you watched only one derby in your life, this would be the one to choose.
