Glasgow
Late March 2019
I just wanted to write a quick primer regarding my work with the Rangers Football Club, as I’ve been fortunate enough to return to football as a Consultant Physiotherapist within their Youth Academy.
The club has been impressive so far and has provided me with the overwhelming opportunity to travel to Middlesbrough FC and Manchester United FC earlier this year. I’m even scheduled to head to France in May and Germany in June for international tournaments, which is a pleasant surprise, given that I’ve only been here six or so months.
Anyway, aside from my work, I thought I'd spend some time talking about football in Glasgow – Which is quite simply, another world.
For those unfamiliar with the whole topic of Celtic vs Rangers (collectively known together as the Auld Firm), it is a longstanding, divisive, deeply entrenched, and pervasive rivalry, which began more than a century ago.
Football rivalries aren’t all that uncommon (Merseyside, Manchester Derby, etc), but the Auld Firm is complicated by additional Republican/Unionist and Catholic/Protestant facets too. This has led to a great deal of overtly sectarian conflict over the years. So much so, that as someone who now works for the Rangers, I have been explicitly advised not to enter certain bars, not to advertise the fact I work for Rangers in certain company, and to avoid wearing my uniform outdoors unless I’m at work - even to the point of not wearing it home or on the train.
Originally, I thought I was being wound up and ignorantly laughed it off, but it isn't a joke - this is all absolutely serious stuff.
Every local I’ve spoken to has said “it’s much better than it was”, which I’ve found both surprising and encouraging, but violence remains common when it comes to the Auld Firm. At the most recent derby there was a series of stabbings in Merchant City, the next suburb over. Fights are common and arguments the norm when it comes to football in Glasgow.
That isn’t to say it is not safe in Glasgow when the football is on, but more to say you need to exercise caution and be sensible in regards to how you act and dress (including precisely which colours you wear) on certain days or in certain locations. You don’t just wear a Celtic or Rangers jersey outside like you would at home with Eagles or Dockers – it is not the same.
An Auld Firm match stops Glasgow. There are fewer people on the streets (either because they are watching the game or actively avoiding the city centre), shops stay closed, and many pubs shut their doors as soon as the game stars – as Sloan’s, our local pub did. We watched the game at the nearby Cairns Bar and all told; we had a great time. The air was somewhat tense, but it was great to be swept up in the excitement of a big match. Unfortunately, Rangers lost 1-2 in the end.
The Auld Firm is complicated stuff. Match day is an odd mix of eeriness, excitement, pressure, and borderline awkwardness between folk – I think it can only be felt if you come here. I can’t imagine what it feels like at Parkhead or Ibrox on game day – I can only hope that I can somehow get a hold of a ticket…
Strangely enough, the intensity of the Auld Firm belies the day-to-day friendliness of your average Glasgwegian. I always feel welcome, safe, and comfortable in Glasgow - so please don't fall in to the trap of assuming Glasgow is like this year round. During my time here, Glasgow has continued to defy its rough and tumble reputation and has proven to be a wonderful place to live - you should come and see for yourself.
ADDIT: The penultimate round of the year just finished with another Auld Firm match, which Rangers won 2-0, much to the chagrin of the Celtic fans - even though they won the title already.
JC
““The Manchester derby is a great thing to go to, although nothing compares to a Celtic versus Rangers game. I would definitely say the Manchester derby comes second only to the Old Firm in terms of rivalry.”
Noel Gallagher
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