Rangers v Celtic rivalry verdict shared by Kieran Tierney ahead of Ibrox showdown
Kieran Tierney says the Rangers versus Celtic rivalry is unlike any other derby he has experienced during his career.
The ex-Celtic full-back has also played in the North London derby for Arsenal against Tottenham and the Basque derby between Real Sociedad and Athletic Bilbao among others.
Scotland international Tierney was asked to compare how the Old Firm stacks up with those other high-profile fixtures ahead of the latest Gers-Celtic showdown.
“This fixture is different,” he is quoted as saying by The Scottish Sun [4 April]. “The other derbies I’ve played in are special. But none of them have the same edge as Celtic v Rangers.”
What is the biggest football rivalry?
While this fixture may have lost something with the absence of away fans – something that is thankfully being rectified – it still remains the most intense anywhere in British football.
The debate over what is the most heated rivalry in football can become quite tiresome, but it is not a coincidence that the Old Firm is often ranked number one.
When former players come out and openly say as such, at risk of upsetting fans of their current club – or clubs in Tierney’s case – that also says a lot.
This latest tussle between Rangers and Celtic will be as intense as ever given what is on the line. Nothing will be won or lost this weekend, of course, but the Gers can move a big step closer to claiming the title.
One certainty is that Ibrox will be rocking before, during and hopefully after the massive match.
In other Rangers news, one Gers player has been singled out as a possibly defining feature of the latest Old Firm.
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