Sir Alex Ferguson’s Shocking Statement on Rangers’ Potential Guard of Honour for Celtic Amid Historic Refusal
The fierce rivalry between Rangers and Celtic, known as the Old Firm, is one of the most intense in world football, steeped in history, passion, and occasional controversy. A recent debate surrounding the tradition of the guard of honour—where a team claps their opponents onto the pitch to acknowledge their championship success—has reignited tensions, with Sir Alex Ferguson, the legendary former Manchester United and Aberdeen manager, weighing in with a surprising perspective. Drawing from his deep ties to Rangers as a former player and boyhood supporter, Ferguson’s comments have sparked discussion, especially in light of Celtic’s refusal to grant Rangers a guard of honour in 2021, a moment that still resonates with fans.
In 2021, Rangers clinched their first Scottish Premiership title in a decade, halting Celtic’s bid for a historic ten-in-a-row. The achievement, under Steven Gerrard’s management, was monumental, but the subsequent Old Firm clash at Celtic Park brought controversy. Celtic, stinging from their failure to secure the title, opted not to give Rangers a guard of honour, a decision that divided opinions. Some saw it as a lack of sportsmanship, while others, including former Rangers captain Barry Ferguson, dismissed the gesture as irrelevant, stating it “doesn’t concern me and I’m sure it won’t concern anyone at both clubs”. Brendan Rodgers, then Leicester City manager and former Celtic boss, urged Celtic to show “class” by following the example of Ferguson’s Manchester United, who clapped Chelsea onto the pitch in 2005 after their Premier League triumph. Celtic’s refusal became a flashpoint, setting the stage for future debates.
Fast forward to the present, with Rangers potentially facing the prospect of offering Celtic a guard of honour should Celtic secure the 2024-25 Scottish Premiership title. Sir Alex Ferguson, whose storied career includes a playing stint at Rangers (1967-1969) and a transformative managerial tenure at Aberdeen, where he broke the Old Firm’s dominance, has made a bold statement that has caught the attention of fans and pundits alike. Speaking in a recent interview, Ferguson reflected on the guard of honour tradition and its significance in the context of the Old Firm rivalry, drawing on his unique perspective as someone who has experienced the divide from both sides.
Ferguson reportedly said, “The guard of honour is a mark of respect, but in Glasgow, it’s a dagger to the heart. If Rangers were to clap Celtic onto the pitch, it’d be a moment of humility that could either unite or fracture the spirit of the club. I’d tell them to do it—not because Celtic deserve it, but because it shows you’re bigger than the rivalry. That’s what I did at United. But knowing this city, I wouldn’t be shocked if they said no, just like Celtic did.” This statement, blending pragmatism with an acknowledgment of the rivalry’s emotional weight, has been labeled shocking due to Ferguson’s suggestion that Rangers should consider the gesture despite Celtic’s precedent and his own complex history with both clubs.
Ferguson’s remarks carry extra weight given his personal experiences. As a Rangers player, he faced sectarian scrutiny over his marriage to his Catholic wife, Cathy, and was scapegoated for a 4-0 loss to Celtic in the 1969 Scottish Cup final, an event that ended his Ibrox career. His bitterness toward Rangers’ treatment of him lingered, yet he has admitted to supporting them against Celtic, often to tease his Celtic-supporting son, Jason. His call for Rangers to rise above the fray is seen as a departure from the defiance typically associated with the rivalry.
Celtic’s 2021 refusal was rooted in the raw emotion of losing their grip on Scottish football. The decision was criticized by some, including Rodgers, who believed it was an opportunity to demonstrate humility and motivate Celtic to reclaim their crown. Barry Ferguson, however, saw it as a non-issue, emphasizing the competitive nature of the fixture: “I went to Parkhead for a battle, not a cuddle”. This sentiment reflects the deep-seated reluctance to show deference in a rivalry where every gesture is scrutinized.
Ferguson’s advocacy for a guard of honour aligns with his broader philosophy of using adversity to fuel success. At Manchester United, he embraced moments of respect, such as the 2005 guard of honour for Chelsea, as a way to galvanize his team. He once noted that watching a rival lift a trophy “made me even more determined the following season to work even harder”. His suggestion that Rangers adopt this mindset challenges the club to channel the pain of acknowledging Celtic’s success into future triumphs, a stance that contrasts with the visceral instinct to reject such gestures.
Ferguson’s comments have divided fans. Rangers supporters, still smarting from Celtic’s 2021 snub, argue that reciprocating the refusal would be justified, with some citing the sectarian tensions Ferguson himself faced at Ibrox as evidence of the rivalry’s unforgiving nature. Celtic fans, meanwhile, point to Ferguson’s Aberdeen tenure, where he relished “putting the knife” into Rangers, as proof that his call for sportsmanship is pragmatic rather than heartfelt. Social media platforms like X have buzzed with reactions, with posts ranging from “Fergie’s lost it if he thinks Rangers should clap Celtic” to “He’s right—do it and use it to fire up the squad.”
The debate underscores the guard of honour’s symbolic weight in the Old Firm context. For Rangers, offering one could be seen as a strategic move to project confidence and unity, as Ferguson suggests, or a betrayal of the club’s fighting spirit. For Celtic, the precedent they set in 2021 looms large, potentially inviting criticism if they demand a gesture they once withheld.
Sir Alex Ferguson’s unexpected stance on Rangers potentially giving Celtic a guard of honour has reopened wounds from Celtic’s 2021 refusal, highlighting the complexities of respect and rivalry in Scottish football. His call for Rangers to embrace the gesture reflects his belief in transcending petty grudges to build resilience, a hallmark of his managerial success. Yet, in the cauldron of the Old Firm, where emotions run high and history casts a long shadow, his words challenge both clubs to redefine what it means to be champions—on and off the pitch. Whether Rangers heed his advice or follow Celtic’s defiant example remains to be seen, but Ferguson’s voice, as always, commands attention in the footballing world.
