Tensions are running high ahead of Sunday's League Cup semi-final between Celtic and Rangers, with both clubs struggling on and off the pitch. The fixture, known as the Old Firm rivalry, is often one of intense passion and drama, but this time it feels different - both teams are in a state of crisis.
In recent weeks, Celtic fans have been protesting against their club's board, feeling out of touch with the team they love. Manager Brendan Rodgers seemed to validate their frustrations when he publicly criticized the club's failure to strengthen its squad in the summer. Missing out on Champions League qualification further fueled the unrest and justified his complaints. The situation culminated in Rodgers' sudden resignation, followed by a blistering attack from Celtic major shareholder Dermot Desmond.
Desmond, who has quietly controlled Celtic for three decades, accused Rodgers of being divisive, self-serving, and misleading to fans. Rodgers remains silent on the matter, leaving Celtic with two new managers - former boss Martin O'Neill and ex-player Shaun Maloney.
Meanwhile, Rangers have been struggling since their financial collapse in 2012, enduring regime changes, court battles, managerial misfires, and even liquidation. Their latest head coach, Russell Martin, lasted only seven games before being sacked amidst torrent of protests from supporters. The club's new American owners admitted they underestimated the intensity of Glasgow football.
As both clubs prepare for their Old Firm showdown, fans are united in a desire for change in the boardroom - something that has often been achieved through their support. But now, Hearts, the city's other major club, is glancing at the Old Firm with a mixture of unease and ambition. Under new owner Tony Bloom, Hearts have become a serious challenger to Rangers' dominance, backed by data-driven investor who helped transform Brighton.
As the teams face off on Sunday, one thing is certain - unity is something Celtic and Rangers would pay dearly for right now.
In recent weeks, Celtic fans have been protesting against their club's board, feeling out of touch with the team they love. Manager Brendan Rodgers seemed to validate their frustrations when he publicly criticized the club's failure to strengthen its squad in the summer. Missing out on Champions League qualification further fueled the unrest and justified his complaints. The situation culminated in Rodgers' sudden resignation, followed by a blistering attack from Celtic major shareholder Dermot Desmond.
Desmond, who has quietly controlled Celtic for three decades, accused Rodgers of being divisive, self-serving, and misleading to fans. Rodgers remains silent on the matter, leaving Celtic with two new managers - former boss Martin O'Neill and ex-player Shaun Maloney.
Meanwhile, Rangers have been struggling since their financial collapse in 2012, enduring regime changes, court battles, managerial misfires, and even liquidation. Their latest head coach, Russell Martin, lasted only seven games before being sacked amidst torrent of protests from supporters. The club's new American owners admitted they underestimated the intensity of Glasgow football.
As both clubs prepare for their Old Firm showdown, fans are united in a desire for change in the boardroom - something that has often been achieved through their support. But now, Hearts, the city's other major club, is glancing at the Old Firm with a mixture of unease and ambition. Under new owner Tony Bloom, Hearts have become a serious challenger to Rangers' dominance, backed by data-driven investor who helped transform Brighton.
As the teams face off on Sunday, one thing is certain - unity is something Celtic and Rangers would pay dearly for right now.
, and it's crazy how passionate fans can get! I mean, I get it, both Celtic and Rangers have been through some tough times lately 
. It feels like their boards are out of touch with what the fans really want 
. Rodgers' resignation was a shock, but Desmond's attack on him made sense 
. It's wild that two managers will be trying to fix things at the same time! 
They both need wins, big ones 
. And what about Hearts? Are they gonna cause some trouble on Sunday 
? One thing's for sure: it's gonna be an intense match 
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... Fans r fed up w/ the state of their clubs & it's not just about the pitch, it's about the people running them 
. It's crazy 2 think they're worried about winning a trophy when their own house is on fire 
Rangers are having a really tough time lately 
. And now their new American owners are realizing they underestimated the passion of Glasgow fans 
. On the other hand, Celtic is going through a leadership crisis 
. I'm intrigued by this Hearts team emerging as a serious challenger to Rangers 
. If Celtic and Rangers don't get their act together soon, it's gonna be a tough Sunday for fans 
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but seriously can't believe how intense the situation is at Celtic 
. And don't even get me started on Rangers, they've been through so much already... financial struggles, regime changes, and now these new owners trying to fix things 
Hearts coming in like the dark horse of Scottish football though - they're definitely a team to watch 
I feel so bad for both sets of fans, man... they deserve so much better than this chaos 
. Meanwhile, Rangers are literally fighting for survival... it's like they're playing out this Hollywood script 
. The Old Firm rivalry will always be intense, but this feels like a whole new level of desperation 
. Anyways, I hope both teams can just take a step back and figure out what's going on behind the scenes – their fans are the ones who really suffer in the end 
Meanwhile, Hearts is quietly becoming a force to be reckoned with 
. It'll be interesting to see if their data-driven approach pays off against the Old Firm giants. One thing's for sure, though: Celtic and Rangers would both benefit from some unity - it seems like they're at each other's throats right now 
.
Both parties have their strengths and weaknesses, but ultimately, they both want to win. Same thing with Celtic and Rangers - it's all about who can come out on top.
So yeah, let's give it up for the power of the fans...
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!
. I've been a season ticket holder since 2012, and it pains me to see the fans being treated this way. Brendan Rodgers might have left under questionable circumstances, but I think he was trying to stir up change 
. As a neutral fan, I just want to see some stability and unity from the boards, you know? Hearts might be trying to capitalize on the situation, but let's hope they don't end up like Rangers did... 
... but at the same time, it's like, this Old Firm rivalry is so deep-seated and intense, how can we even expect anything normal? 
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. But honestly, it's not just about the players or the coaches – it's about the fans who feel like they're getting ignored 
. The Old Firm rivalry is all about passion, drama, and intense competition – let's hope those fans can put aside their differences for once and just enjoy the match! 
. I mean, Rodgers' sudden departure from Celtic was such a shock - you could feel the frustration in his words about the club not supporting him 
. Maybe Celtic and Rangers will learn a lesson from each other's struggles about being more transparent with their fans...
. Rodgers was totally justified to speak up about the squad situation, he shouldn't be silenced, and Desmond's attacks on him were pretty unfair 
. but you know what? this is what makes footy so passionate 