Last season Celtic fans on these boards were saying how good a manager Lennon was, and how good a team Celtic were because of their record in the Old Firms. At the end of the season Rangers won the title – but the Celtic fans still argued the point citing the Old Firm results.
This season McCoist’s Old Firm record is solid – with 2 victories at Ibrox… but does that really matter? Yes there’s bragging rights to a derby game, but ultimately Celtic will win the league so does it actually make any difference?
This season I think given the troubles Rangers are having means this last result is a real positive for the club, it gives the fans something to cheer about and it takes some stick off the manager and coaching staff… but ultimately what does it mean?
Serious question for people – if you were to win the league but lose every Old Firm match would you be happy? Or would it annoy you?
For me – obviously I want Rangers to win every Old Firm… but in the bigger picture I’d take trophies every time.
(As I said I think this season, and in particular this match meant more – you never know it might have even helped the sale of the club with potential buyers seeing such an atmosphere… I wasn’t there in person but the ground seemed like it was buzzing. )
Do Old Firms matter?
posted on 26/3/12
Papa.. it was like a party where the record player wiz broke and the caterer hidnae turned up.
posted on 26/3/12
Of course they matter!!!
Think how good all the bears are feeling today due to an OF victory even tho their club is in a total mess at the moment.
Things that evoke that kind of emotion must matter
posted on 26/3/12
Of course they matter. Local Derby's always matter.
Souness got pelters when he said he'd happly lose all league games to Celtic, but Rangers still won the league.
Look at the Spanish League. Already people are questioning whether Real Madrid will be the best, if they win the league, cos they've failed to beat Barca in the last 9 games or something like that.
The best team wins the league, no ifs, buts, maybe's.....but winning derby's definitely matter, but maybe only to the fans!
posted on 26/3/12
With a fully fit squad Rangers have a strong 11 to match and beat Celtic, what we currently lack is any depth to cover for injuries/suspensions.
We lost our top three goal scorers which coincided with our drop in form.
posted on 26/3/12
It’s an interesting one – I’d forgotten about Sounnes’ quote!
The fans obviously care but I’m not sure how long the bragging rights last – if Celtic win the title then saying we beat them in one game means very little.
I don’t follow the Barca Real argument… to me that smacks of people just wanting to claim that Barca are the best team in the world – and not accepting the fact that they are second best in La Liga at the moment. If Real win – they are the better side… regardless of head to heads.
It’s interesting because for clubs who don’t win things year in year out – the derby is almost like a trophy and so worth much more. Sunderland might finish below Newcastle – but there’s no bragging rights in that if neither club wins anything – but the derbies are of huge importance!
The same with Aston Villa and Birmingham – and Sheffield United and Wednesday. In the Old Firm the trophies are the bragging rights, not the games themselves as much. The matches in cup ties are important, especially finals – and if the league is tight then yes… but otherwise not so much.
posted on 26/3/12
I would say the Old Firm games at Ibrox this season are probably the most important factor in this entire campaign.
And we've won both of them VERY comfortably therefore we are far and away the best team
posted on 26/3/12
Serious question for people – if you were to win the league but lose every Old Firm match would you be happy? Or would it annoy you?
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Not really a serious question, because it has not and never would happen in a league where they meet 4 times.
posted on 26/3/12
Hampden57 - I think it can still be a serious question even if it hasn't ever happened.
It is possible... and given the result at the weekend and the comments from Celtic fans last season I think it is an interesting subject for discussion. In that sense it is a serious question.
It's far more serious than 90% of the posts here which just end up as WUM fodder!
posted on 26/3/12
Most seasons the team who wins most points in OF games wins the league. Not always--last year for example--but most years. At worst the team who wins the league might only get 1 win and 1 draw, but never any less than that. Even 3 OF defeats would be fatal. But for the purposes of your question, I would rather win the league.
posted on 26/3/12
Seems like the league is most important to fans.
Last season as Hampden says was different to the norm - and perhaps that's why Celtic fans clung to the head to head record. This season at worst for Rangers the record will be even - at best it could be 3-1. In spite of this - we will lose the league... I'm not sure how many Rangers fans will be quoting the head to head record and claiming they are the best side... I know I won't be.