The tribalism that defines the Old Firm rivalry ensures that any perceived slight, any hint of arrogance, or any act of celebration by one side is immediately interpreted as a deliberate taunt by the other. In the latest flashpoint to ignite the incandescent fuse of this rivalry, Rangers supporters are reportedly furious over new video footage that appears to show Celtic captain Callum McGregor taunting them directly from the Celtic dressing room. This incident, brought to light by a recently released documentary chronicling Celtic’s victorious 2024-25 season, has poured gasoline on an already raging fire, intensifying the animosity between the Glasgow giants.
The specific footage causing the outrage stems from the Celtic dressing room after their Premier Sports Cup final victory over Rangers in the 2024-25 season. The match, a thrilling 3-3 draw at Hampden Park that Celtic ultimately won on penalties, was a fiercely contested affair. According to the Daily Record and other outlets, the documentary captured McGregor delivering a passionate pre-match speech to his Celtic teammates, which included a direct jab at the quality of then-Rangers boss Philippe Clement’s side.
McGregor, in his role as Celtic’s passionate skipper, was reportedly heard telling his teammates: “There is so much quality in this room – and it’s quality that they don’t have, let’s be honest. We are the top team, eh? So have the belief.”
This candid, unfiltered statement, delivered behind closed doors to his own team, has been widely disseminated and has, predictably, sent Rangers supporters into a frenzy.
- Direct Disparagement of Rangers’ Quality: McGregor’s assertion that Celtic’s dressing room possesses “quality that they [Rangers] don’t have” is a direct and undeniable slight. It portrays Rangers as inherently inferior, a claim that deeply offends a fanbase fiercely proud of their club’s history and current capabilities.
- “Behind-the-Scenes” Authenticity: The fact that this comment was captured in what appears to be a genuine, unvarnished moment in the dressing room makes it particularly potent. It’s not a soundbite from a carefully managed press conference; it’s presented as McGregor’s true, unedited belief. This authenticity gives the “taunt” even greater weight and makes it feel more personal.
- Context of the Cup Final: The Cup Final itself was a tight, back-and-forth battle that went to penalties. For McGregor to suggest, even before the game, that Rangers lacked the “quality” to compete, feels like a slap in the face to Rangers fans who witnessed their team push Celtic to the absolute limit. It implies that Celtic’s victory was predetermined by their superior talent, rather than a hard-fought contest.
- McGregor’s Stature: Callum McGregor is not just any player; he is the Celtic captain, a long-serving, highly respected figure at the club. His words carry significant weight among the Celtic faithful, and by extension, are seen as the official sentiment of Celtic by Rangers supporters. When a captain, particularly of his standing, makes such a statement, it’s perceived as a definitive declaration from the opposing camp.
- Previous “Digs” at Rangers: This isn’t McGregor’s first perceived transgression. Reports indicate that he has taken other “digs” at Rangers away from the public eye. During Philippe Clement’s stint, McGregor reportedly remarked that Rangers “don’t deal with intensity” and “very quickly start to unravel” under pressure, and also criticised them for “hadn’t played anyone” during an unbeaten streak. These past comments add to the perception among Rangers fans that McGregor habitually belittles their club.
The outrage from Rangers supporters is immediate and palpable. Social media platforms, fan forums, and sports talk radio segments are likely ablaze with condemnation of McGregor.
- Fueling Rivalry’s Intensity: This incident, combined with Brendan Rodgers’ earlier perceived “mockery” (“If we play well, we win. If we don’t play well, we win”), ensures that the next Old Firm derby will be even more combustible than usual. Every tackle, every goal, every referee’s decision will be magnified by the lingering resentment from these “taunts.”
- Motivational Tool for Rangers: There’s no doubt that Russell Martin and his new coaching staff at Rangers will seize upon this video. It provides tangible, undeniable evidence of what they can portray as disrespect from their fiercest rivals. It will be used as powerful motivation to drive their players, particularly the new signings, to prove McGregor’s comments wrong on the pitch.
- Narrative of “Disrespect”: For Rangers fans, these comments feed into a narrative of systemic disrespect from Celtic, not just from their manager but from their captain. This perception of being looked down upon will only harden their resolve and intensify the animosity towards their Glasgow counterparts.
- Public Scrutiny of McGregor: While Celtic fans will undoubtedly laud McGregor’s passion and honesty, the comments will place him under even greater scrutiny from the wider Scottish football public and rival fans. Every future action and statement will be viewed through the lens of this perceived “taunt.”
In the volatile ecosystem of the Old Firm, words, especially those meant for internal consumption but then exposed to the public, carry enormous weight. Callum McGregor’s dressing room declaration of Celtic’s superior “quality” over Rangers, now widely seen, serves as a stark reminder that in Glasgow, nothing is off-limits when it comes to the intense rivalry. It has undoubtedly ignited a fresh firestorm of fury among the Rangers faithful, ensuring that the next chapter of this historic rivalry will be written with even greater passion and animosity.
