Celtic F.C. vs Rangers F.C.: Head-to-Head, Predictions & Stats

Ask any Glasgow native which match they watch first on the calendar, and you will get the same answer before the question ends. The Old Firm Derby between Celtic and Rangers is not just football — it is a recurring cultural event that has divided and united the city since 1890. The clubs sit separated by just three miles, yet their rivalry carries weight that ripples far beyond Scottish sport. Whether you are checking the latest head-to-head record, wondering about the current ticket standoff, or trying to understand which side has the financial edge, this guide brings the numbers and the narrative together.

Head-to-Head Matches: 451 (Rangers 172 wins, Celtic 171 wins, 108 draws as of March 2026) ·
Celtic Revenue Edge: £250 million more than Rangers over past decade ·
Recent News: Ticket row escalates for final Old Firm derby ·
Biggest Celtic Win: 9-0 vs Aberdeen (Nov 2010) ·
Next Fixtures: Check Celtic FC site for live updates

Who is better Celtic or Rangers?

The question of superiority in the Old Firm has no clean answer because the margin separating the clubs is almost impossibly small. According to the latest figures compiled on Wikipedia, the Old Firm has produced 451 matches since 1890, with Rangers winning 172 of them and Celtic winning 171 — leaving 108 draws (Wikipedia, 2026). That is a difference of exactly one victory across more than four and a half decades of competition.

Sports Mole notes that the exact count varies slightly between sources depending on which competitions are included, but the overall picture remains consistent: the clubs are essentially deadlocked. What tips the balance depends on which lens you apply — domestic league results versus cup finals, home form versus away form, recent seasons versus historical totals.

Head-to-Head Records

Breaking down the record by competition reveals a more nuanced picture. In league meetings specifically, Rangers hold a narrow historical edge with 130 wins compared to Celtic’s 118, with 93 draws, according to MyFootballFacts. This distinction matters because it explains why Rangers fans claim bragging rights based on sustained league dominance over more than a century, while Celtic supporters counter with their superior record in cup ties and finals.

When looking at recent meetings, the pattern shifts again. FootyStats records show Celtic winning 24 of their last 47 encounters (51 percent), with Rangers winning 13 (28 percent) and 10 draws (21 percent). This recent Celtic dominance has complicated the historical narrative and created genuine uncertainty about current form heading into each new fixture.

Recent Form

The most recent Old Firm meeting saw Rangers claim a decisive 3-1 victory at Celtic’s Parkhead stadium, a result that directly led to Celtic manager Wilfried Nancy’s dismissal. That match showcased Rangers’ ability to dominate even in hostile territory, with FootyStats recording Rangers producing 58 percent possession, 24 shots, and an expected goals (xG) figure of 2.52 against Celtic’s 0.32.

Celtic responded with a commanding 3-0 league victory over Rangers on 1 September 2024, but the trajectory since has favored Rangers in league encounters. Sports Mole reports Rangers winning three of the last five Scottish Premiership meetings against Celtic, suggesting Brendan Rodgers’ side has regained control of the domestic title race.

The most recent cup encounter went Celtic’s way, however — a 1-0 victory in the Scottish Cup final on 25 May 2024, according to Sporting News. That result gave Celtic their primary trophy of the season and kept the cup record advantage on their side of the ledger.

Who has won more old firms, Celtic or Rangers?

Based on the comprehensive tally maintained on Wikipedia as of 8 March 2026, Rangers have won one more Old Firm match than Celtic across all competitive meetings. The exact figures are 172 Rangers victories, 171 Celtic victories, and 108 draws in 451 total Old Firm matches. This represents the most authoritative count available, incorporating data from multiple tracking services.

Football Ground Guide documents that Alec Smith holds the record for most Old Firm appearances, making 87 appearances for Rangers between 1894 and 1915. On the goalscoring front, Ally McCoist leads all players with 27 goals in 55 Old Firm appearances for Rangers, while Jimmy McGrory tops Celtic’s charts with 22 goals in 35 appearances, according to Sports Mole and Football Ground Guide respectively.

Total Wins

When tallying total victories across all competitions, the clubs’ records reflect their broader institutional histories. Celtic’s periods of dominance, particularly under Jock Stein from 1965 to 1974 when the club won nine consecutive league titles, contributed significantly to their overall totals, as documented by BetUK.

The record margin victory came on 19 October 1957 when Celtic defeated Rangers 7-1 in the Scottish League Cup final, a result that still stands as the biggest winning margin in Old Firm history, according to MyFootballFacts.

Recent Old Firm Results

The most recent batch of Old Firm results shows oscillating fortunes. Celtic’s cup final victory on 25 May 2024 gave them the psychological upper hand entering the new season, but Rangers’ subsequent 3-0 league win on 2 January equalized the recent head-to-head record, as reported by Sporting News.

The swing between cup and league form creates particular tension for supporters, since neither club can claim consistent supremacy across all fronts. MyFootballFacts notes that Celtic are more efficient in domestic cup ties and finals, while Rangers maintain their slight edge in league meetings.

Celtic FC vs Rangers FC results, stats and prediction

Tracking exact Old Firm results requires consulting multiple sources, as different outlets count different competitions. Wikipedia’s comprehensive database serves as the most frequently updated reference, incorporating Scottish Premiership, Scottish Cup, Scottish League Cup, and other competitive fixtures.

H2H Stats

The head-to-head statistics reveal consistent patterns across recent meetings. According to FootyStats, 77 percent of Old Firm matches in the last 47 encounters produced over 1.5 goals, 55 percent had over 2.5 goals, and 51 percent saw both teams score. These percentages suggest that the Old Firm tends to produce entertaining, competitive matches rather than defensive stalemates.

AiScore data covering matches since 2003 shows Celtic winning 47 of 88 encounters, with Rangers winning 28 and 19 draws, indicating Celtic’s stronger record in the modern era despite Rangers’ historical league advantage.

Upcoming Match Prediction

Predicting the next Old Firm result requires weighing several factors: current league position, recent form, home advantage, and the psychological impact of past encounters. Based on recent performances documented by FootyStats, Rangers enter upcoming fixtures with momentum from their Parkhead victory and superior league position, while Celtic carry confidence from their cup final win.

The ticket dispute between the clubs adds an unpredictable element to preparations, potentially affecting atmosphere and supporter behavior at upcoming matches.

Live Results

For live score updates and the most current results, checking official club websites and dedicated sports platforms remains the most reliable approach. The landscape of Old Firm coverage includes comprehensive statistical tracking from services like Flashscore, footystats, and individual club channels.

Who’s richer, the Rangers or the Celtics?

Celtic have accumulated a significant financial advantage over the past decade. According to reporting by Sporting News, Celtic earned £250 million more than Rangers over the previous ten years. This revenue gap manifests across multiple areas: commercial deals, matchday income, broadcasting rights, and European competition participation.

Revenue Comparison

Celtic’s revenue advantage stems partly from their historically stronger European performance, which generates additional income through prize money and market reach. The club’s global fanbase, particularly in Ireland and North America, provides commercial opportunities that Rangers have found harder to replicate.

Rangers’ financial recovery following their 2012 liquidation and subsequent reconstruction created a period of relative disadvantage, though the club has rebuilt substantially in the intervening years.

Financial Decade Overview

The decade-long revenue comparison reveals structural advantages Celtic have maintained even during periods when Rangers matched or exceeded their on-field success. This financial foundation provides Celtic with resources for squad investment that Rangers must offset through other means.

The implication for future competitions is straightforward: Celtic can typically outspend Rangers in the transfer market, though successful coaching and recruitment strategies have allowed Rangers to compete effectively despite the resource gap.

Is Celtic or Rangers more Catholic?

The religious dimensions of the Old Firm rivalry originate in the clubs’ founding contexts from the late 19th century. Celtic was established in 1887 by Irish Catholic immigrants as a means of supporting the Gaelic Athletic Association and providing charitable assistance to Glasgow’s Irish Catholic community. Rangers historically represented the Protestant and unionist community, though the club never formally restricted membership to non-Catholics and did eventually sign Catholic players in the 1980s.

Sectarian Background

The sectarian divides that shaped the clubs’ identities reflect specific historical circumstances in Glasgow and Scotland more broadly. Celtic’s Irish Catholic roots and Rangers’ association with Scottish unionism created tribal loyalties that extended far beyond football, embedding the rivalry in community identity.

Sports Mole notes that the Old Firm derby dates back to 1890, with the term “Old Firm” itself originating around the early 20th century, first appearing in reference to the 1904 Scottish Cup Final, according to Sporting News. The terminology itself reflects the entrenched nature of the rivalry.

Fanbase Associations

Contemporary fanbases have evolved beyond the original religious and cultural divisions, though associations persist. Celtic supporters include significant numbers who are not Catholic and who connect with the club through family tradition or geographic proximity rather than religious identity. Similarly, Rangers supporters encompass diverse backgrounds united by their attachment to the club.

The clubs have made efforts in recent decades to address sectarian elements within supporter culture, with both organizations emphasizing that football should be accessible to all regardless of background. However, the historical associations remain embedded in the rivalry’s identity.

The pattern across these metrics shows cyclical dominance, with neither club able to claim supremacy across all fronts simultaneously.

Timeline

The Old Firm rivalry spans more than 130 years of competitive football, with key moments shaping the clubs’ contrasting identities and records.

Clarity: What We Know vs What Remains Uncertain

What the experts say

Dating back to 1890, the Old Firm derby is one of the most fierce contests in world football. The totals suggest a rivalry defined by cycles.

— Sports Mole (football statistics outlet)

Ally McCoist is the all-time leading goalscorer in the Old Firm derby, with the former Rangers striker scoring 27 times in 55 appearances against Celtic.

— Sports Mole (football statistics outlet)

Glasgow Rangers currently hold the bragging rights when it comes to the most wins in the Old Firm Derby.

— OneFootball (global football platform)

The totals suggest a rivalry defined by cycles, with neither club able to sustain dominance indefinitely.

— MyFootballFacts (historical football database)

The Old Firm rivalry continues to deliver competitive, high-stakes encounters that keep Glasgow’s football fans captivated season after season. With the clubs deadlocked at 172-171 in all-time wins heading into 2026, and the current ticket dispute adding tension to an already charged atmosphere, the next Old Firm derby promises to be as compelling as any in recent memory.

For fans planning attendance or following remotely, checking official club channels and trusted statistical platforms like Wikipedia, Sports Mole, and FootyStats remains essential for the most current information on fixtures, form, and ticket allocations.

Related reading: Dominic Calvert-Lewin stats

The razor-thin Old Firm edge for Rangers at 172 wins to Celtic’s 171 across 451 clashes finds parallel depth in the Rangers F.C. vs Celtic F.C. stats, illuminating their shared rivalry history.

Frequently asked questions