All the other leagues in the world can throw as much money and big-name stars at their derby games, but nothing comes close to Celtic and Rangers.
Even though the Glasgow derby falls on the backdrop of a Scottish league with less money than the English Championship.
The rivalry itself is still as fierce and deeply hated as any football contest, not just around Europe, but across the world, as it doesn’t need high-profile names to make it known.
One man who has tasted this life, from a Rangers perspective, is former Ibrox striker Kemar Roofe. He shared the crazy nature of it all and what it’s like facing Celtic.
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Kemar Roofe on experiencing the Celtic and Rangers rivalry
Roofe played in ten matches against Celtic, and he explained how the game itself has very little to do with tactics, as he told Open Goal.
The 32-year-old compared Celtic and Rangers matches to a gruelling training drill legendary manager Marcelo Bielsa used to put up once a week in at Leeds United.
Roofe explained how it’s all about ‘running, running and running’, and the tempo of the games is the highest he has ever played in, in his career.
“For me, it’s a crazy game,” said Roofe. “It’s not so much about tactics. It’s just about running, and who has the most intensity in these games.
“When we were on about murder ball (gruelling Marcelo Bielsa training method). It’s as if the ball doesn’t stop moving, and you have to keep running, running and running. The tempo is unbelievable. Yeah (higher than any other game I have played in).”
Speaking to Aaron Ramsey and Craig Bellamy about Celtic and Rangers
Aaron Ramsey had a disastrous time in Glasgow, to the delight of the Celtic Park faithful, but his fellow countryman thrived during his short period at Parkhead.
Craig Bellamy had a fruitful six months at Celtic in 2005, and he coached Roofe during his time as Anderlecht’s assistant under Vincent Kompany.
Roofe shared what the two Welshmen told him when speaking about Celtic and Rangers matches, and how it’s nothing like they have seen or witnessed before.
“But even speaking to Aaron Ramsey after the game,” added Roofe. “He said that, ‘he has never experienced anything like this’, and he has played in all the big games.
“At Anderlecht, before I signed, talking to Craig Bellamy, he said, ‘again, the Glasgow derby, the biggest game in his career’, and he has played in all the derbies you can think of.”
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