Scottish football might not get the coverage like other European leagues, but everyone pays attention when Celtic and Rangers lock horns.
Another instalment of this hotly contested, never-ending and hate-fuelled Glasgow derby will take place on Sunday when Celtic travel to Ibrox to take on Rangers.
The match will be broadcast live on Sky Sports in the UK, with lead commentator Ian Crocker strapping in for another episode of this fascinating and exhilarating rivalry.
Crocker grew up supporting West Ham United. He only started getting a taste of what life was like in Glasgow in 1998, and it’s fair to say that his feelings are now clear.
Ian Crocker on how the Celtic and Rangers rivalry compares to the rest of the world
There are very few derby matches in the world that can compete against Celtic and Rangers, as Crocker brought up the biggest rivalry in South America between Boca Juniors and River Plate.
Added to that, he mentioned other derby matches he has commentated on in England, such as the Tyne-Wear derby between Newcastle United and Sunderland, as well as Burnley and Blackburn Rovers.
But Crocker had a clear message for all that there is ‘absolutely nothing’ like the Celtic and Rangers rivalry, and it ‘still gives me a big buzz’ when the game comes along, as he told Go Radio.
“I hadn’t experienced it before (1998),” said Crocker. “I had obviously followed it, being a big football fan growing up, but I had never been to one.
“So, my first one was when I commentated on was actually a 0-0 draw in 1998. I think Barry (Ferguson) would have played in it at Ibrox. We haven’t had too many 0-0s in this fixture because it usually all goes mad.
“Absolutely nothing like it. I am sure in South America, they might think they can stake a claim (between Boca Juniors and River Plate). I have been to a lot of derbies in England. Newcastle-Sunderland isn’t bad. Burnley and Blackburn is surprisingly pretty tasty.
“But nothing gets close to Rangers and Celtic. It’s just an incredible atmosphere, and it still gives me a big buzz when the derby comes along.”
Celtic and Rangers’ last ten meetings
Both teams head into the weekend game after crashing out of the Champions League in embarrassing fashion, but Celtic are still the top dogs on the domestic scene.
The champions of Scotland have made a 100% start to the new season, whilst new Rangers boss Russell Martin is waiting for his first league win.
Despite that, Celtic have faltered in the last few Glasgow derbies, and they will want to put things right. This is what the head-to-head looks like in the last ten matches:
- Rangers 1-1 Celtic, Premiership, Ibrox, May 2025
- Celtic 2-3 Rangers, Premiership, Parkhead, March 2025
- Rangers 3-0 Celtic, Premiership, Ibrox, January 2025
- Celtic 3-3 Rangers (Celtic win on pens), League Cup Final, Hampden, December 2024
- Celtic 3-0 Rangers, Premiership, Parkhead, September 2024
- Celtic 1-0 Rangers, Scottish Cup final, Hampden, May 2024
- Celtic 2-1 Rangers, Premiership, Parkhead, May 2024
- Rangers 3-3 Celtic, Premiership, Ibrox, April 2024
- Celtic 2-1 Rangers, Premiership, Parkhead, December 2023
- Rangers 0-1 Celtic, Premiership, Ibrox, September 2023
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