And it has meant there hasn’t really been much to talk about in the lead up to the fiercest grudge match in world football.
However, one topic of conversation has survived this week and that is guard of honours. Rangers will not provide one for Premiership champions Celtic at Ibrox, which is no real surprise.
Barry Ferguson doesn’t understand the clamour for one given Rangers or Celtic never historically give a guard of honour to each other after winning a league title.
But Brendan Rodgers, despite saying he isn’t bothered either way, bemoaned dwindling traditions that are disappearing from the game in Britain.
Rodgers was quizzed about the guard of honour by Sky Sports and then at his press conference on Friday, but Clyde 1 Superscoreboard’s Hugh Keevins can’t believe the Northern Irishman got himself dragged into the line of questioning.
Keevins stunned by Rodgers guard of honour talk
Keevins says the Rangers guard of honour for Celtic chatter is “nonsensical” and that it is not important. What he does think is important is that Celtic’s record against Rangers this season is on the line.
Keevins told Clyde 1 Superscoreboard: “All these things are nonsensical. I couldn’t believe that a man as sensible as Brendan Rodgers got involved in this today (Friday).
“It is the honour that Celtic have to guard on Sunday. They are confirmed as the champions, but they have lost twice back-to-back, once to Philippe Clement and once to Barry Ferguson.
“To lose three times in the same season to Rangers for the first time since Walter Smith did it in 1996/97 would be an embarrassment for Brendan Rodgers and a source of irritation for the Celtic supporters.
“But the guard of honour is a fake show of appreciation that the Rangers players wouldn’t want to do and the Celtic players wouldn’t do it if they boot was on the other foot.
“It’s a redundant topic of conversation, but it keeps people happy. It’s an annual event like Easter or Christmas. But it’s not important.”
Have Celtic or Rangers ever given each other a guard of honour?
Historically, it rarely ever happens. Yes, there’s been guard of honours for Celtic in recent years delivered by other Scottish Premiership rivals.
St Mirren provided one last season at Parkhead on the final day of the league campaign, while Aberdeen did so for the Bhoys in 2023.
But not since 1964 have either Glasgow side given the other a guard of honour. Celtic reached the semi-final stage of the European Cup Winners’ Cup that year after beating Slovan Bratislava 2-0 on aggregate.
As a mark of respect, Rangers gave a guard of honour for the Bhoys in the next Old Firm meeting.
