No Guard of Honour: Rangers' Latest Snub to Celtic

Rangers interim boss Barry Ferguson rules out giving Celtic a guard of honour ahead of their Old Firm match, keeping the rivalry intense.

Rangers will not give arch-rivals Celtic a guard of honour when the Scottish champions visit Ibrox Stadium for Sunday's Premiership match, according to interim boss Barry Ferguson. This decision ensures the fierce Old Firm rivalry remains very much alive.

Celtic clinched a 13th Scottish Premiership title in 14 seasons last weekend, taking an unassailable lead with four games to spare under the management of Brendan Rodgers.

Celtic also drew level with Rangers on 55 Scottish league titles each, a feat that will likely irritate the Ibrox faithful ahead of the Old Firm Derby. Rangers interim boss Barry Ferguson has ruled out giving Celtic a guard of honour, saying: “It (guard of honour) has never happened in the past and there's been this huge clamour about it. If I put myself in the shoes of a champion, it wouldn't really bother me."

Ferguson added, “I think if you ask any of the Celtic players, I don't think it would bother them either. It's always been that way. Let's just continue that way.” This stance echoes a similar situation in the 2020-21 season when Rangers secured their 55th title, and Celtic's interim boss John Kennedy refused to clap his rivals, denying them a 10th consecutive title.

Barry Ferguson says he is expecting a big performance from his side in the final Old Firm of the Scottish Premiership season on Sunday.

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— Rangers Football Club (@RangersFC) May 2, 2025

“But one thing I will do is I will shake Brendan's hand and say 'Well done for being so dominant,' as there's no doubt that's been the case this year and that's got to hurt,” Ferguson added.

“It certainly hurts me and the staff and it's got to hurt the players as well.”

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers was relaxed about the prospect of a guard of honour, saying: “It's not in the rules that you have to do it. I think that when two clubs and the rivalry's so emotional, it's always difficult for the team that comes up short.” Rodgers has won four Premiership titles with Celtic in two stints.

“I always think if you're a champion or not a champion, showing that humility to the other team, whatever the rivalry is, it's a mark of respect.

“Celtic-Rangers is an emotional rivalry and if you come up short quite a lot then it can be a challenge for you and to justify that with your supporters. But, as I said, I'm a traditionalist.”

In contrast, Chelsea will uphold tradition, with boss Enzo Maresca confirming that his team will give a guard of honour to Liverpool, the newly-crowned Premier League champions, when they face them at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.